After a terrible time trying to e-mail one another about the scope and direction of the project, the CEA patio wall was chosen for the new mural. Abby had explained that she has painted on every surface imaginable, but a smooth concrete wall like the one on the patio is the best surface to work on. The CEA patio wall seemed the perfect site for a new mural.

In mid-January, Abby and Patti arrived from Tulum on the bus, with their paints and brushes. Not wasting a moment of time, they went right to work preparing the wall. They then went to the Akumal village and bought the paints they needed from our local Comex paint store and the painting began.

Patti is a "surface designer" and she created the glyphs on the mural wall with white cement and special metallic paints, as Abby was painting. Had she had time, we were going to collect broken automobile glass, but Abby and Patti only had two-and-a-half days to spend. They were, after all, on vacation!

The photos show you the exciting work they did as a gift to CEA. We thank them for their artistic contribution to our efforts to save the coral reef and all the creatures such as the charismatic sea turtle that lives there, too.

To see more of their work, go to Faux Painting Murals and type in the search box "akmurals" to take you to see Abby Kent’s mural art. Patti Halstead’s work can be viewed at the same Faux Mural Paintings; just type "Patti Halstead" in the search box.

Both Abby and Patti are planning on returning to the area and they have offered to do some more painting and surface designs. We look forward to Abby and Patti taking another vacation!