A Broadstairs painter/decorator/ designer who creates bespoke murals and wallpapers has created her biggest mural to date at Royal British Legion home Maurice House in Broadstairs.
Justine Horne has completed a mural that spans a staircase going up four floors and is 40m2.
The 57-year-old, who runs business Justine Lisa Designs & Decorates, took up the challenge after the home posted on facebook asking for decorator-designers to put forward their ideas.
The beautiful design includes poppies, birds, trees and flowers, hearts and a young girl holding an umbrella with the colours of the Union flag.
Each element of the mural has a significant meaning connected to the residents at Maurice House.
Justine said: “I had scaffolding up as it spans four levels with the top part measuring 6m by 4m and the bottom 5m by 3m.
“It was a bit of an adventure. I had to try and keep it simple because you can’t step back enough to get perspective.”
Explaining the elements that make up the mural, the mum-of-one said: “The blossom tree is a soft, flowing image representing new growth along with the maturity of the old.
“The blossom is based on a lemon tree. None of my leaves and hearts are the same just as no people (residents) and their own needs are the same. Lemons and limes were the fruit that was introduced to naval ships in the war to combat scurvy.
“The few birds represent life and freedom, these are all blue birds……not native to the UK but associated with the well know war song “they’ll be blue birds over…..” research later showed me that they were actually referring to USA aircraft.
“Poppies are an obvious representation of remembrance to the service men and women but at the bottom of my painting are tiny forget-me-nots – the same analogy as we will remember them- which are also the emblem for dementia. Maurice House has its own lodge for people that need care with dementia.
“My young child represents the youth people gave their lives to protect. Her vintage union jack umbrella is a symbol of protection with the artistic license of it not being from rain but the leaves, petals, and falling hearts.
“The cascading hearts are the symbol of lives lost during the war, where the hearts have fallen the poppies are growing. She is pictured catching a fallen heart in her palm.”
Justine started work on the mural in December and the completed work was unveiled at Maurice House on February 12th.
Former design teacher Justine designs and decorates with personalised hand-painting/papering.
Probably the best Thanet artist since Henry Campbell of Birchington.
Looks lovey – congrats Justine. I am sure residents and visitors to Maurice House will all enjoy and appreciate it.
Brilliant love it so calming lets see more around town
The mural looks beautiful; I’m sure that the residents will love it. However, many of the residents would know that lemons and limes were introduced to naval ships not during the war, but well over 250 years ago. The Navy began issuing a daily ration of citrus fruits to all sailors in the 1750s to reduce the incidence of scurvy.