The Rose State College Arts program offers students hands-on experiences in creating art on campus or in public spaces within the community. Hughes Scholar Dalton Matthews had the opportunity to design and paint a mural at Woven Life in Oklahoma City.
The employees at Woven Life asked for a piece to brighten up the space and contacted RSC Professor Suzanne Thomas. She asked Matthews if he would be interested in the project. Because he has a passion for art and serving the community, he immediately said, “Yes!”
Matthews decided a Japanese Cherry Blossom tree would be the perfect piece to anchor the mural. “To me, cherry blossoms are a powerful metaphor for life itself,” said Matthews. “In Japanese tradition, cherry blossoms symbolize the fleeting nature of life, the changing of seasons, and the beauty of new beginnings. As people, we’re always aware of time: how little of it we have, how fast it moves, and what we choose to do with it. Cherry blossoms don’t worry or have any concerns about how long they’ll bloom or how tall they’ll grow. They exist, letting go when it’s time and quietly continuing the cycle by spreading seeds for the future. That simplicity reminds me to pause, to notice the beauty around me, and to live fully in the present.”
Painting the mural proved challenging at times because Matthews works full-time and goes to school full-time. Matthews would carve out four days each week in his schedule to paint for a few hours. In total, he spent roughly 65 hours painting this mural over three weeks.
When asked about the process, Matthews stated, “To transfer my design onto the wall, I decided to use a doodle grid instead of a projector. It helped me sketch everything out accurately and evenly without needing extra equipment. When it came to painting, I used several thick layers—about four or five in total. I’ve found that I work better with heavy paint layers rather than light ones; it gives me more control and depth in my work. In terms of materials, I went through about half a quart of paint, roughly 16 ounces.”
Matthews said that painting this mural and knowing that people will enjoy it for years to come was a true privilege. “It makes me so happy to know that others will not only see my work but find their meaning in it,” Matthews said. “That’s the beauty of art; everyone has a different perspective. More than anything, I hope that my murals and all the art I’ve created and will continue to make can inspire someone. Whether it’s a young artist just starting, someone from an older generation, or anyone in between—I want them to feel something, to believe in their ability to create, too.”
“I am proud of the work that Dalton has done on this mural,” said RSC Art Professor Suzanne Thomas. “I knew he would create a piece of work that would bring some peace to the individuals and their families.”
To learn more, visit the RSC Liberal Arts & Sciences.