Eagle Soars at Julian High School

The eagle at various stages of its creation. Photos courtesy of nadine neth

By Amber Ward

During a senior class meeting in mid-September, it was decided that the 2006 senior class gift would be a mural of a huge bald eagle painted in the newly renovated Julian High School multipurpose room.

Cameron Smith, senior class president, had presented a brochure from a company that paints school mascots, before David Neth raised his hand and suggested that his mother, Nadine Neth, could do the job.

Class members supported the idea of hiring someone local, and soon, Nadine Neth presented four eagle drawings for consideration. One was chosen unanimously by all 48 seniors.

The 28-foot by 48-foot mural will be located above the stage and will require five gallons of paint. Paint was provided by Julian Hardware and Doris Smith, who helped Nadine Neth choose the proper types of paint along with coordinating colors and tints to be used. Dan Jones supplied the scaffolding necessary to complete the job, for free.

The three-week project is expected to be completed by Jan. 7.

Neth accumulated 200 project hours before the mural was started. She researched her subject thoroughly by taking about 70 photos of both bald and golden eagles at the Sky Hunters Ranch in Descanso, a raptor research and rehabilitation facility.

Understanding that the artist needed accuracy, ranch directors Nancy and John Conney allowed her to enter the enclosures and get as near as two feet from the birds.

“Their efforts were extensive and considerable due to the need for proximity with the birds and the ever-possible chance of harm to themselves and the birds,” Neth said. The Conneys, who are passionate about their work, have given presentations at the Julian Elementary School and at William Heise County Park.

A 24-inch by 30-inch framed, oil original of the bald eagle mural was on display for a short time in Rabobank and has been donated to the senior auction that will take place in February. The oil painting took five weeks to complete.

“I had to get it all worked out on canvas before I ever started the mural,” Neth said.

Michelle Alfont was hired to photograph the original oil and make, to scale, a 1-inch to a 1-foot grid that will be used to transfer the painting onto the school wall.

“Michelle’s input on this project was invaluable,” Neth said.

Neth has been drawing since she was a child. Her favorite subjects are landscapes, wildlife and portraits, and her favorite mediums are pastels, watercolor, oil, graphite and other mixed media. She has an extensive portfolio that includes other local murals at Pinecrest Park and K. Q. Ranch and local chalkboard art.

Neth has participated in numerous local art shows and has pieces exhibited in the Fallbrook and Temecula galleries as well as Boehm Gallery at Palomar College. She has received first place at the Newport High School Art Show and has been hired to design the logo for the Southern California Arabian Horse Association’s 50th anniversary Horse Show in Santa Barbara.

Many of this accomplished artist’s works can be seen in local venues such as the Julian Community Library and at the Julian Coffee House.

Nadine Neth

The mural is a replica of this 24-inch by 30-inch framed oil painting that has been donated to the senior auction that will place in February. Photo by Amber Ward