Artist Jimmi Buscombe has this week started work on the mural that will turn Lismore’s water tower into a tourist attraction.
Mr Buscombe, who rose to fame when a video about his “Gutsy the Wombat” mural had 58 million views on Facebook, estimated the job at the Lismore Golf Club would take about three weeks, depending on the weather.
“It’s a couple of brolgas with some sheep, set in a misty south-west landscape,” he said.
“I’ve got an airless sprayer for the undercoat and a handheld sprayer for most of the art. The bulk will be done with in spray then the details by brush.
“I’m just using low-sheen exterior house paint. The undercoat is 60 litres and the artwork will take about the same again.”
Mr Buscombe, who had to get special safety training to fork from the 25-metre boom lift, is adapting to the challenges, of height, wind and painting on the coarse rendered surface.
“The tower is rings of concrete sprayed with cement so it’s a pretty gnarly,” he said.
Mr Buscombe invited members of the public to come and watch the process in front of the café at the Lismore Golf Club.
“There are four undercover tables for people to sit and have coffee of lunch and watch me while I work,” he said.
“Phil Hoye, from the wombat video, will be coming on Saturday morning to help me out. We’re getting the band back together.”
North Ward Councillor Lesley Brown said it was wonderful to see the project getting under way.
“The community are really excited about it,” Cr Brown said. “Everyone’s really excited about what it will bring, with more visitors coming to town for a look, during the process and into the future.
“This has been a whole of community project, involving locals to make sure the themes of the artwork reflect who we are, our connections to the natural environment and the farming economy.
“This huge piece of public art will add to the character of the town and we hope it will encourage visitors to the explore the north of the Shire and the Volcanic Lakes and Plains tourism region.”
The project is being funded through a $50,000 grant from Global Power Generation (GPG) who are currently constructing the windfarm at Berrybank.
