Our temporary mural - Part 1

I thought I'd share with you the fun experience of creating some very temporary art.

Our last trade show was the Spring Fair, Birmingham, and we were exhibiting in the greetings hall for the first time (up till now we've been in contemporary gifts). So I decided I'd do something a bit different with my space.
I wanted a display that reflected the philosophy of our business - fun, different, recycling, no waste, all that sort of thing.
So I decided to have a go at something I've never done before - paint a mural on the walls, top to bottom, side to side - 5.5 m x almost 3m tall. And here's what we did:

I booked an extra night at my b&b to give me more time. Emma came to the NEC after her university lectures had finished for the day and we got painting.

We marked up a pencil grid, and then started. Here's Emma making the first marks, and chatting away about knowing that her Grade B in GCSE art would come in handy one day! (Any idea what we're painting yet?)

This is when the funny looks from other exhibitors and contractors began, along with comments like "Would you like a bigger paint roller? - that's going to take you ages".
Yes, we got lots of comments mentioning Rolf Harris!

This was the equipment we used - 3 paint trays, a mini roller, a couple of bristle art brushes and the all important blue nylon scrubby thing from the bathroom, along with cheap white emulsion and a bottle of kid's black poster paint.

This is where we left it on the Friday night - I was just a little concerned that it may not go according to plan and look rubbish:

And this is how it looked when it was finished and the stand was dressed, ready for a busy week of business. It's my interpretation of our Country Walks range of cards - you can see one of them here to compare, and it's also our local part of Thetford Forest where we all love to walk the dogs.

And finally, here is my last view as I left the NEC hall at the end of the 5 day show - lights have been swithched off, the carpet's gone, other exhitors have left:

I wonder whether I should have signed the panels?
If anyone ever sees these panels again, do take a photograph and let me know!! I'm told they get painted over and used at the next show...