91原创 artist Mike Hunniford paints every day in McBurney Plaza 鈥� well, almost every day.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e kinda confined indoors with the snow,鈥� he admitted. 鈥淚 can still paint inside at the McBurney coffee shop.鈥�
While he was brush stroking during a far milder stretch of weather, Hunniford happened to strike up a conversation with 91原创 City Mayor Val Van den Broek and vowed to create an original painting for her.
After five weeks of work, the artist made good on his promise and delivered a canvass to the Timms Community Centre.
鈥淚t was interesting. The mayor was very overwhelmed with it and said she was going to hang it in her office,鈥� Hunniford explained.
He described the work as whimsical, cartoony, and happy 鈥� made with bright colours that he said is meant to cheer her up.
鈥淚 imagine her job is really tough,鈥� Hunniford explained. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a need for something at this time of the year with all the snow and darkness. I鈥檝e been in recovery for 10 years now and it can be a tough time. I paint in an uplifting way to get through the darkness and lift us all up.鈥�
Covered in smiling faces and original characters, the sun character painted in the middle of the work is meant to represent van den Broek herself.
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鈥淚t has their tongue hanging out and acting a little kooky,鈥� Hunniford said.
The artist said he was nervous when he came to drop the painting off, but Mayor van den Broek happened to be walking by and read the inscription on the back, which reads 鈥淭o Val, I hope it makes you smile.鈥�
鈥淚 love it,鈥� Mayor Van den Broek said. 鈥淚鈥檝e known Mike for many years and he鈥檚 always been so friendly and nice. I love everything 鈥� the bright colours. It means a lot and will be going up on the wall right behind my desk.鈥�
She remarked how original Hunniford鈥檚 style is, something the artist was quick to point out himself.
鈥淢y work is nothing you can buy at a Walmart, that鈥檚 for sure,鈥� he explained.
Hunniford said another painting was gifted to former 91原创 Mayor Ted Schaffer several years ago, and now sits in the Timms Centre lunchroom.
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