Related story: Let a thousand colors bloom

By Nicole Gesualdo
Journal Staff Writer

I've covered artworks-in-progress before, and I always find the subject of my story the obvious way: Look for it.

Scan the hallways until you locate the artists painting the mural. Follow the trail of stepped-upon modeling clay to the classroom where kindergarteners are creating sculptures (usually ashtrays).

But this time, there was no need to look.

I could hear the two artists painting the ceiling dome in the Central Falls Public Library. The quiet was broken by creaks, groans and the swishing of brushes overhead. (Okay, the scaffolding in the lobby was also a major tip-off.)

So I went with an auditory lead rather than a visual one. I knew I would have to describe enough images later in the story, anyway.

Most of my reporting was done above the scaffolding, crammed in a little space with the two artists. As a result, I saw their materials (brushes, palettes) and their other supplies (cigarettes and sliced cheese).

It was a disorganized mess up there.

Which was cool. Anyone who has seen my desk at The Journal (where there is a half-eaten enchilada dinner and an odd selection of kitchen utensils at this writing) knows how much I like to check out different people's working environments, no matter how much of a disaster. I thought readers would like to know about the artists' unique space.

In my conversations with the artists, I was struck by the certainty that seemed to characterize every step of the dome project. The library director had a fervent desire to get the dome painted. The artist knew exactly what colors he'd use from the first time he saw it.

And, honestly, I have to give credit to someone who can mix neon green, lavender, gold and black and not give that combination a second thought.