Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
It was a struggle to get the finished 5-by-16 foot canvas to the super courtroom on the fourth floor of the court wing in the county government services center. The elevators were too small, so carrying it up several staircases was the only option, according to Wayne Gilkison, court administrator.
Martin-McDulin, an art teacher at Badin High School, began work on the painting in March and worked through the summer on the acrylic on canvas work —sometimes up to 12 hours a day.
“My studio wasn’t big enough ... I painted in my brother and sister-in-law’s barn,” she said. “I took some liberties and made it a little bit more romantic with the colors and no phone wires. It is our town.”
The super courtroom was constructed in 2022 by combining two small visiting judge courtrooms in to one for large trials that might included many observers and media. Photos of past common pleas judges flank the long side wall, but until this week the back wall was blank.
Gilkison said the judges discussed what to place on the wall for a while then commissioned Martin-McDulin.
“It is beautiful,” Gilkison said.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
The project started with a photo of the wall, then Martin-McDulin said she did a mini painting as a proposal.
“They wanted Hamilton,” she said. “It is actually the third painting have have done of the city. I love this town.”
Martin-McDulin, who grew up in Hamilton and is a grad of Hamilton High school, said “it was a lot of fun. And it is an honor.”
Community members are welcome to stop by the courtroom to see the painting, Gilkison said.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
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