Some projects come along that feel bigger than a commission. This is one of them.
I recently completed a large-scale mural on a commercial building called Winsor Place Apartments at a historical site in Spring Lake, Michigan — a tribute to one of the most important and underappreciated figures in American art history: Winsor McCay.
McCay has been called the "Father of the Animated Cartoon." He is best known for the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland and the animated film Gertie the Dinosaur. His work influenced illustrators Walt Disney and Walter Lantz. And he grew up right here — in Spring Lake, Michigan.
Honestly? I had no idea. I didn't realize we had a world-famous artist who grew up right here in our community until this project came my way. That discovery alone made this one of the most meaningful commissions of my career.
The Research
Before a single brush touched the mural, I spent countless hours researching McCay's life and work — online and at the Spring Lake Public Library. I am so grateful for the library's generosity. They have a wonderful collection of books on his work and his life, and they were incredibly gracious in lending them to me — including some volumes that don't typically leave the building. That access meant everything. Getting to sit with his original work, to really study his characters, his lines, his sense of joy and movement — it shaped every decision I made in this mural.
The Design Process
I created three different design concepts for the client to choose from. The design they selected was actually the third one — but the road to getting there wasn't a straight line. I originally tried to execute that third design first, started it, and wasn't happy with where it was going. So I scrapped it. I developed two other designs, came back around to that original concept with fresh eyes, and then presented all three. Sometimes you have to walk away from something before you can see it clearly. The final design features McCay's most beloved characters — Gertie the Dinosaur, Little Nemo, and figures from Dream of the Rarebit Fiend — with the old Union School depicted in the background.
Design #1
Design #2
Design #3
Finding the Zone
I started out documenting the process on video — and I'm glad I captured the early stages. But as the deadline approached and the pressure mounted, I had to make a decision: keep filming, or keep painting. I chose painting. There's a state that artists slip into when the work takes over completely — where the clock disappears, the camera doesn't matter, and it's just you and the wall. That's where the second half of this mural was born. Some of my best work happens in that space, and I've learned to protect it.
Why the Union School?
That white building in the mural isn't just architectural detail — it's the heart of the whole piece. The old Union School is where a young Winsor McCay first drew on a classroom blackboard, creating a stunning illustration of the 1880 wreck of the SS Alpena. A photographer captured the image, prints were sold, and McCay received a cut — making it his very first professional illustration. That blackboard was essentially his first creation. Painting that building into this mural, on a site just steps from where it once stood, sent chills down my spine.
One detail that was really important to me — the signature on the mural is authentic. I researched Winsor McCay's real signature and made sure to replicate it as close as possible. If I was going to honor this man's legacy, I wanted every single detail to be right.
The Making
The mural was created entirely in my home studio — painted on panels that were stacked one on top of the other, then installed on location as a complete piece. A huge thank you to Olmsted Signs & Design for their expertise and guidance on materials. Their knowledge made a real difference in how this piece came together and will hold up for years to come.
What This Project Meant to Me
I feel genuinely honored to have been trusted with this. Recreating Winsor McCay's characters — characters that shaped the entire history of animation — is not something I took lightly. Every brushstroke felt like a responsibility. And knowing that this mural now lives on a historical site in his hometown, next to the Michigan state historical marker bearing his name, makes it feel like more than art. It feels like a gift back to the community.
Spring Lake has a legend. Now more people will know his work. 🎨