The design of Carolina Gonzalez-Espino, a senior at Harry S. Truman High School, was chosen to be painted as a mural in Morrisville on L.O.V.E. is the Answer Day on Sept. 17.
On this day, dozens of groups around the world united in support of peace and reconciliation by painting murals that represent L.O.V.E. in action in their community. L.O.V.E. represents four key tenants – Learn about others; Open our hearts to them; Volunteer to be part of the solution in their life; Empower others to do the same.
Gonzalez-Espino created her design using the digital illustration app Procreate. Her artwork depicts the four tenants and the pledge of L.O.V.E. is the Answer.
“Through my involvement and participation in designing the mural, I am helping spread and express L.O.V.E. is the Answer’s message through art,” said Gonzalez-Espino, whose goal was to interpret the pledge through a whimsical, youthful and pleasing visualization.
She also wanted to take the meaning of “unity” to another level in her design. Inspired by one of her favorite icons in art history, Keith Haring, she created colorful, dancing figures that are holding hands and are connected by a ribbon of love through their hearts.
“What I like about art is that it’s an outlet free for anyone’s use to interpret any opinions, emotions or statements in a creative manner, molding and shaping these statements any way the artist pleases,” said Gonzalez-Espino. “There are no rules, rights or wrongs, or qualifications for what makes something ‘art.’ At the end of the day, there is a message behind every piece to reach the right audience that needs to hear it the most.”
The mural came to life on Sept. 17 as Gonzalez-Espino and a few other Truman students joined the Morrisville community to paint the mural. The event took place at the underpass of U.S. Route 1, at the corner of Moreau Street and S. Delmorr Avenue in Morrisville.
