Wyatt created the “Hollywood Jazz — 1945-1972” mural in 1990, commissioned by the Los Angeles Jazz Society. Wyatt went back to work in late 2011 to restore the work of art that had become a Los Angeles landmark.
“Nobody expected the kind of reaction it got,” Wyatt said of the mural.
The piece, which features jazz greats Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and others, has become a must-see location for tourists visiting Los Angeles. Some people close to those famous musicians offered their input to the muralist.
“Nat King Cole’s widow (Maria) asked me if I would show him wearing his favorite tie,” said Wyatt, 57. “And Joe Smith, who was president of Capitol at the time, asked me if I’d please include Ella Fitzgerald. Well, I’ve loved jazz my whole life, so that was a no-brainer.”
The restoration took about 15 months, Wyatt said, and presented constant challenges of firing the painting onto ceramic tiles to ensure a longer life.
“It required a lot of improvisation,” he said of lining up the tiles. “In that way, it’s a lot like jazz.”
Learning how to paint murals is an excellent way to combine both your love of art and another passion. Enroll today in a mural painting course that will teach you all the basics of creating these lasting and meaningful works. You’ll soon be able to pay tribute to historical figures, pay homage to famous figures, and share your loves with a wider audience.
Read the entire Los Angeles Times article at http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-hollywood-jazz-mural-20130219,0,1467048.story.