The mural montage that took me almost two months to complete has been installed. It was a labor of love when tons of details hand painted into each piece…11 pieces total.The 11-panel mural montage titled Verlaque Pioneer Store stands on the east wall of businessman Peter Bidegain’s Reds, Whites and Brews at 629 Main St. in Ramona, California. Designed by muralist Rik Erickson of Murals Fantastic, the mural is dedicated to Ramona’s first business, built in 1883 and operated by Amos Verlaque and later by his brother Jeff. Verlaque Pioneer Store was a stage stop, general store, and post office as well as a place for residents to hang out, chat, buy goods, and receive mail.

I researched the history of the store before designing the mural, which is the 12^thsponsored by the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The mural features the artist’s depiction of Jeff Verlaque standing before shelves of goods, panels showing a sample of items that would have been sold in the store from the late 1800s to 1911, and Erickson’s illustration of a stagecoach in front of the store.

“When the stage stopped, passengers would have time to get out to stretch their legs and maybe purchase an item from the store,” states the mural panel that provides history of the establishment.

Here is the news article on the project:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ramona-sentinel/business/sd-cm-ram-mural-verlaque-20170218-story.html