2001 |
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The first year of Banners were simply canvas with ties in the corners. Once at the field we would find a suitable chain link fence or backstop to hang the Banner from.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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Of course the problem arose that there were not always places to hang the Banner near where the kids were playing their games. It felt like the Banners were so detatched from the event that they really didn't add much to the Team Spirit
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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2002
Coming soon by popular demand-
The Undefeated DRAGONFLIES
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2003 |
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So the next year...
The first idea was to build a PVC stand for the Banner, so it could stand on it's own right next to the team on the field. If you ZOOM in on this Banner you'll be able to see wind flaps cut into the Dolphins fins. I noticed, when the wind pointed it out, that my Banners were much BIGGER than those of other teams.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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These stands were of the four legged variety and would quickly become kites in a strong wind. I spent entire games watching and holding the banner in place. I noticed less preoccupied people using a Flag type affair; able to flap in the breeze, hanging free on the lower end. It did seem to be the method used by those in the know.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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2004
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The problem with letting the Banner act like a Flag is that it makes for quite a challenge to visually engage a constantly moving object; I was, after all, striving for FIELD ART. What I learned from the FLAG PEOPLE was to drive two re-bars into the grass and then slip the PVC over them.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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This year's design was a 3/4" PVC tripod with re-bar stakes supporting the front two feet and a 10 lbs weighted rear leg to give support against a wind coming from either direction.
The onlooker cheer of "Go Number Two!" gave me the idea to put the kid's number next to said kid's name so parents could yell appropriately.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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The re-bar worked better than hoped for and soon the Banners were standing up to the wind on just TWO legs. The problem now was the 3/4" PVC bending too easily, and the Banner was often hidden by people gathering around it and/or sitting in front of it.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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2005
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Liam, age 6, stands in front of the 7' x 5' frame made of 1" PVC and supported by two 4' rebars driven down 1' into the grass. The whole set up takes about 3 minutes while being distracted by four kids and has withstood fairly strong winds; bending aprox. 15-20 deg. without flying away. The Banner is raised 2.5' off the ground and is clearly visible to the entire field.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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Cassy, age 9, is our Princess. Her Banner required more flaire than ever before; and nothing screams GOSSAMER FLAGS louder than THE PURPLE PIXIES -
With a Frame of 7'+ this Banner stands over 6.5' tall and proudly proclaims the team colors with Optional Flags shown here reaching over 10' in the air.
These NEW EDITION Banners break down and roll up into 7' by 6" cylinders which fits into our Family Van fine and in a pinch (what does that expression mean?) they fit into our now too small for our six person family Acura Legend.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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All of these Banners are hand painted on Canvas using Latex House Paint; though sometimes I'll use Sign Paint Lettering Enamel for the names. The Sign Paint coats easier and gives a nice glossy finish to the letters.
The cost of supplies for this latest model runs around $50, depending mostly on your choice of paint. Once I started painting Murals most of my supplies came from PAINT stores or HOME IMPROVEMENT centers rather than ART stores.
I don't know when exactly House Paint Manufacturers started offering such brilliant hues in 1 QT cans of Acrylic Latex but now I rarely ever buy those over priced little tubes ART stores offer.
Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
4' x 5'
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