OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A vivid depiction of nature unfolds on Ocala’s downtown water storage tank, capturing the imagination of all who pass by.
The City of Ocala’s Economic Development and Cultural Arts Division selected Christian Stanley of C. Stanley Creative as the artist for this large-scale mural. His design concepts debuted in October, and Stanley began painting the mural on Nov. 27, working tirelessly in layers to bring his vision to life. The goal is to complete the masterpiece by Dec. 25.
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“We celebrated Thanksgiving a day later, so he was actually out here Thanksgiving Day, painting away,” says Christian’s wife, Jessica, an Ocala native. “Almost like a 3-D printer, going around and around. Those layers build up. We’re celebrating Christmas a little bit later, so we might be out here Christmas Day.”
The mural portrays the fullness and richness of Marion County’s flora and fauna, revealing different details depending on the viewer’s distance. Up close, it boasts intricate knowledge and detail, while from afar, its depth and wonder take on a new perspective.
“I love that part about his work,” says Jessica. “Even yesterday, I was over toward the Hungry Bear, looking back toward the otters and the fish. It’s so cool to see. I love when he works on a face; he gives it soul. You can see reflections in this deer’s eyes.”
Christian notes the positive community response as the mural develops. “I’ve been getting a ton of compliments as people drive by, waving and honking,” he says. “Especially as it’s kind of developed and they can see where it’s going. It keeps getting better as we add more details. We spend all of our time about five feet off of the wall, so to drive in from a different direction, you’re seeing a whole different kind of canvas, a different aspect to what we have going on here.”
Packed with intricate details, the mural integrates diverse elements, with shadows and highlights that guide the viewer around the tank. The fluidity of the composition encourages onlookers to take a full lap to appreciate the entirety of the artwork.
“We hope it has an impact on the community,” says Jessica. “We do commercial murals for businesses as well, but to be out here and interact with the community, this adds to the quality of life in Ocala.”
On Dec. 19, the Stanleys experienced Silver Springs from its iconic glass-bottom boats, a nostalgic trip for Jessica but a new adventure for Christian. The river excursion inspired additional elements of the mural, including manatees, alligators, birds, and fish, all rendered with vivid accuracy and charm.
The fish depicted are bluegills, but selecting which animals to feature proved challenging for Christian. “The title of it is Marion Flow, and there’s a jump from aquatic to land-based animals, like otters and alligators who live in both environments,” he explains. “We were kind of running out of space, even with this giant tank. We’ve seen a lot of these animals up close.”
The mural provides animal lovers a chance to connect with their favorite creatures, offering photo opportunities for families.
“When you think of a manatee, you think of browns and grays,” says Jessica. “But the majority of this manatee shows reflections of water with pinks, purples, yellows, and oranges. You wouldn’t expect it, but somehow, it looks right and makes sense, and that’s something I appreciate.”
As Marion Flow nears completion, it not only enhances Ocala’s downtown but also celebrates the community’s connection to its natural surroundings.