SALEM, MA — Not all art is in museums.
In fact, you can find art in the strangest places. Take, for example, the huge mural on the side of the maintenance building in Greenlawn Cemetery.
The colorful painting of a cemetery angel and Celtic cross was completed a few days ago by Richie Martineau, who works at the city cemetery.
He started the project last summer, bought his own supplies and painted all on his own time, after work and often until dusk. The ancient statue and cross are from a photo he took in Harmony Grove Cemetery, which is noted for its statuary.
Martineau, 38, is not a professional artist, but he has been painting and drawing for years. He majored in graphic arts at North Shore Tech and took a few oil painting classes at Montserrat College of Art. This project was a labor of love.
“This is my first mural I’ve ever done,” he said. “I’ve always loved (painting), and this is the biggest piece I’ve ever done.”
The resourceful Martineau used everything at his disposal to complete the work.
“I was up there in a dump truck painting the sky,” he said. “It was just easier than moving a ladder around.”
Read more of this innovative artist, click here.