Making Murals was founded by Isabella Demetriou (nee Wesoly), in 1997, in a bid to promote art in the community. As a part of her teaching practice, issues of art in health was researched, which enabled the further development of visual art practices.
Isabella's first commission was a Summer project, funded by the Arts Lottery, though her first commission was a 'World Theme' mural project in 1986, at the Oak Tree Community Centre, South Acton, London (and it all began with a mural painting on her bedroom wall, in the now demolished tower block 'Barrie House'). With creative talents flowing, Isabella often would just draw or paint an idea for a bare/desolate looking area around places she has lived and visited. Some of these visual ideas are listed below.
The enterprise expanded as a community arts service, and other aspects of visual arts were incorporated into it.
Visual arts practices, which have included young and old alike, in their production, are as follows:
Worton Community Mural Project, Isleworth, Middlesex, 1997
Drawing Class, West Acton Community Centre, London, 1998
Hanwell Community Mural Project, Hanwell, London, 1998
Corel Draw Basics, Ealing Tertiary College, London
Central & Cecil Housing Trust, Homemead, Mural Project, 1999
Central & Cecil Housing Trust, Scott Lodge, Art Sessions, 1999/2000
Voluntary teaching has also been conducted at St. Vincent's school, London, with pupils aged 9-11 yrs. This included showing them how to create a colour wheel; and re-creating images from 'Old Masters' and getting the pupils to match the colours in the original, and mix them before painting onto the copy images.
N.B. The paintings produced with St. Vincent's pupils were used in the background in scenes from 'The Vicar of Dibley' TV series, with Dawn French.
Prior to becoming established as a provider of visual arts practices, the following murals were produced:
Oak Tree 'World Theme Mural' South Acton, London, 1986
and
Life & Work of St. Vincent de Paul,St. Vincent's School, Acton, London, 1997
The latter was a set up as part of Isabella's 'Community Projects' module, undertaken in her Batchelor of Arts degree.
Teaching practice for drawing classes was conducted at Thames Valley University, with 2nd year under-graduates, under Pete Smith; and private drawing classes were conducted at West Acton Community Centre, London.
In 2003 Making Murals expanded to include products and services, which enable harmony to mind, body and spirit. Thus,
Making Murals: Is Harmony emerged.
Is Harmony brings (to those who seek) a selection of items promoting peace and relaxation in what can often be a life of harmonious imbalance. Solutions are always available for the stress and confusion that life can bring.
Once we breathe, relax and accept whatever it is that we may find hard to face or deal with, answers are more likely to flow towards us. A variety of ways to relax can be found in the products Is Harmony offers.
.. from paintbrush to pen
Artistic practices in Isabella also include the written word, which she refers to as 'Is Wisdoms'. Lyrics flow naturally in her, and have been developed to the extent that enables the title 'accomplished poet'.
Now a Founding Laureate member of The International Society of Poets with whom she has earned significant awards in poetic achievement.
Her first published poem is 'Contentment in Love', which earned her
Editor's Choice Award, for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry
presented by Poetry.com and The International Library of Poets, in June 2004.
