“It didn’t seem to work or carry the energy,” he said. He decided to narrow it down, focus on the industrial buildings and include certain buildings that represented the history as a whole such as the railroad depot as that industry was important in the area.

“You can’t represent all the buildings, all the people and all the historic homes,” he said.

After many drafts, he came up with one he liked.

“It conveyed the history of Loveland without putting every single thing in,” he said. The mural includes historic buildings as well as some of the old advertisements that were painted on the sides of buildings. As for the bigger scenery, he wanted to focus on the town itself and not so much the mountains. He did discuss with the deciding committee the options of adding it to the background.

“In my sketch, part of the blues in the skies are darker and they kind of hint at mountains,” he said and the committee seemed to agree

Thetford was given the option to just call in or Skype in, but he felt it was important to be here for the final presentation.

He printed the image on high gloss paper. The mural is done on four aluminum panels with three coats of high gloss varnish. The image is created digitally with archival ink. He created the final version following being chosen and shipped it here. He will be unable to attend the dedication due to prior engagements. He enjoyed his trip out during the final presentations.

“It’s always nice to be in place in person,” Thetford said of visit for the final presentation. He took the time to walk to around and see the buildings he has spent so long looking at online.

“It was great to see them in real life and in color with people walking around them.” he said.

Michelle Vendegna: 970-669-5050 ext. 530, [email protected]

The original submission Daryl Thetford of Tennessee brought with him when he was chosen as a finalist.

The original submission Daryl Thetford of Tennessee brought with him when he was chosen as a finalist. (Special to the Reporter-Herald)