Artist Giving Back One Mural at a Time

Lorian Dean is a relative newcomer to the Tampa Bay area, but she’s already leaving her mark.

The artist and business owner who came to Trinity via New York just completed a mural at Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson. Designed to honor veterans from all branches while showing some of the positive impacts they can have in the community and on children, Dean’s mural is what she hopes is the first of many.

“I want to be able to do more things like this,” the 32-year-old told Patch. She’s thinking the next project might involve a mural for children’s wing at a hospital or something similar. “(Anything) that benefits the community and can add to the aesthetics (of a place) and get kids engaged and interested in art,” she said, would work.

The idea for the mural at the Hudson Park came about after park officials removed an old plaque that contained a listing of the park rules, Dean said. A conversation between Dean and Alex Fasano, Pasco County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources department supervisor, began to give birth to the idea, she said.

While taking down the plaque, repainting the walls and refinishing the floors during a recent maintenance project made the park’s building much more “clean and open,” something was missing, Rob Mahler, park site supervisor, explained.

“(The) staff and myself thought that a tribute to the veterans would be a great addition,” he said. Dean was contacted and the idea for a mural that shows how veterans and children might come together at the park for activities was created.

Dean explained her artwork involves an illustration style that lends itself well to child-friendly images.

“My work is very child centric,” she said.

Dean is also the co-owner of the Paper, Pencil, Play Art & Music Studio in New Port Richey. Through that venture, she and her husband, Jonathan, help introduce children to art and music. A mother of young children, Dean worked as an art teacher and special educator in New York before moving to Florida. Once in the Sunshine State, she turned to entrepreneurship and freelancing to make her living so she could spend more time with family.

While the Hudson project is her first major donation to her new community, Dean said it’s not likely to be the last. “I’ve been looking for ways to use my art for the greater good,” she said.

All told, the donated mural took Dean about 15 hours to complete. The outcome, Mahler said, is fantastic.

“The artists’ ability to take the concept of children participating in park activities with veterans and make it come to life was incredible,” he said. “The cartoon characters have the ability to gain the attention of the children while the depth and detail of the art appeals to the adult crowd.”

To check out Dean’s work, visit the park at 14333 Hicks Road in Hudson. Dean’s illustrations may also be viewed on her website at www.paperpencilplay.com. To find out more about the Paper Pencil Play Art & Music Studio, visit it online at www.paperpencilplaystudio.com.

Photos courtesy of the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and & Natural Resources Department