The mural art in progress, are you kidding. It's not finished. How can you love or hate a work in progress. What do you think of a half written novel?

you must be the "Gabby" that knows the Woodward and 7 mile area from the other blog (The Oakland Press) Can tell you are an expert.

No I am not familar with the Woodward and 7 mile area. The wall mural "art" doesn't belong in downtown Clarkston. It's hideous for a quaint town such as The Village of Clarkston. I do love art though. It's just in the wrong place.

I seen the wall art in Clarkston. Looks more like graffiti. Art In Progress? If the artist tries to fit any more on that wall it will just blend together. Hey if you're from clarkston and love it. More Power to ya! I personally think its crap!

How long to we have to look at the unfinished work, I think its been at least 2 years - Art in Progress or just something someone should never have attempted?? Its doesn't fit in our quaint little town!

Instead of wasting so much energy "hating" a work in progress that will most likely become something quite wonderful, why don't you all "hate" world hunger of something worthwhile.
http://www.heifer.org This is a place where you truly can make a difference.

Why are you here Renee? To defend the artists? I'm not saying she isn't talented, I'm saying that "art" does not belong downtown Clarkston.
I live in Clarkston, so I feel I have a right to speak.
By the way, this is a worthwhile cause to me. So take your own advice, visit your own links and contribute your heart out.

If this is a worthwhile cause to you than it is quite pathetic IN MY VERY VALUABLE OPINION. My hope is that people will contiribute to a more worthwhile cause than catty snobbish degrading of a project that is a contributuion in a very BIG way. Find something important in the world to care about more than your personal taste being offended. There are many more important issues in the world than what you and your neighbors are protesting, It is quite embarrassing to witness. Surrounding communities are laughing at your small mindedness. Your behavior as a community is like spoiled school children. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it can't be meaningful to others, perhaps people with greater social conciousness and depth.

the mural needs to get finished, and needs to not look like something out of a childrens halloween book.

But I still LOVE Clarkston!

Oh and Jessica from Southfield, if your sorry life means you can take the time and comment on things like this that have nothing to do with your community... than your pathetic.

Why don't you and your "very valuable opinion" shove it up your ass because honey, your a nobody.

It's our community, meaning we have a right to speak out about the things around it.

You don't.

Excuse me, my very humble opinion. OMG.You are brilliant. I also live in the Clarkston. The server on my computer is transmitting from Southfield.

Jessica, I have a right to an opinion, dear. If you don't like it, Move on to one of your other meaningful causes. That wall art has been going on for two years and still unfinished. It's downright ugly and may look good in one of your childrens books you read but it looks downright ghetto on the wall of downtown Clarkston. Who cares that other communities are laughing at our disapprovable of this "ART" They were already laughing at us when they saw it.
Hopefully Mr. Sherman makes the artist understand gently (you know how sensitive artists are) that it's not that she isn't a great artist but that thing just doesn't belong on a wall in the Village of Clarkston.
But after all, what do I know I'm just a Clarkstonite who is small minded with no class. lol

Everyone that disagrees- you challenge and call names. You opened up this forum about this topic and now that opinions are favoring the artist and her work, all of those opposed are resorting to name calling and stating that others with contrary opinions don't belong here. Your close mindedness is evident without this issue. Try approaching it like adults why don't you. You might get more respect for all of your opinions. I just moved to Clarkston by the way and if this is how you all treat newcomers it doesn't surprise me that this lady painting the wall has had such a hard time. You would give her a hard time for any reason.

I have read the news articles concerning this issue and the Clarkston News and Mr. Sherman support this project. Isn't it a private project and isn't the parking lot a private lot? If it was funded by a non profit or something that might be different, then you would have to report to a wider circle of decision makers.

The press seems to be pretty good about the project, so it doesn't seem like THEY think "that ART doesn't belong in Clarkston".

Jessica go back and re-read your comments. WHO is calling who names?
I'm sure MR.SHERMAN, doesn't want to hurt the poor artists feelings on this project. He, I'm sure is not thrilled with the defacing of downtown Clarkston. He owns the building and I'm sure sooner or later he will have a company come in and paint over it.

Oh, that's logical. Why would he pay anyone to "deface" something. I read his columns, I think he's cool and just "calls it like it is". He has way more backbone than to tolerate something he doesn't like, much less pay them for it. I don't think he is the kind of person to worry about hurting someones feelings if he's not pleased. Give him more credit. He is not going have it painted over just because you don't like it. LIVE WITH IT!! DEAL WITH IT.

What are you like a hundred years old. why don't you remove the stick from your ass and start accepting and tolerating points of view that aren't centered around yer stupid little charming village. You are not the center of the universe and a little education will go a long way.

Approaching my third year of watching the garish graffiti being perpetrated on the prominent wall facing anyone entering Clarkston, I must protest.
Many atrocious forms have been put before the public in the name of art. However, the atrocity being forced on Clarkston residents in the form of this mural assaults the senses on a regular basis and is hardly compatible with the old world charm of downtown Clarkston.
If you have ever visited a very large city and have had the opportunity to view an inner city's rundown neighborhood, it isn't difficult to find at least one wall mural meant to make the dilapidated condition of the surroundings seem more appealing. It doesn't work.
The conditions of the surroundings are not lessened. In the case of the Clarkston mural, it demeans the beauty of the natural surroundings as well as the historic buildings it mistakenly is meant to beautify.
While I can appreciate the intent of the artist and the person commissioning its application, it is time to put an end to the project, admit a mistake, and return our beautiful historic downtown to its former beauty.
Marilyn Parke
Independence Township

You tell "em!!! Your beautiful letter should be mounted right next to the Constitution of the United States of America!! Five Stars!!!!!!

Bottom line:

It is up to Mr. Sherman Sr. to decide if he wants his legacy to be known by that piece of art and the controversy that surrounds it. There are haters and lovers of that piece. IF ANYTHING, It has done one thing, it has caused a stir in the small town of Clarkston. Where I really don't care for it (personal taste)I'm sure some love it! I just left the artists myspace page and I read some disturbing immature comments by her. I found her comments distasteful and berating the Village of Clarkston and it's residents.
Her taunting of the residents of Clarkston who dislike and disagree with the placement of this piece has made me take a second look at this topic and why some may not join in the admiration of this Artists wall mural. I also rolled around in my head that most artists are very sensitive about their pieces and any critizism from others are felt internally by the artist. There has been many. So I excused some of her remarks on her myspace page as defensive remarks.
If I was this artist (and I'm not) I would want all people to appreciate my works. This artist should listen to the residents and tone down this piece to accomodate the Village. The artist surely has talent but I have to agree that Clarkston is not the place for this type of talent. This piece has made the village look run down instead of enchancing this beautiful village..
Where I'm sure this artists believes that the controversy surrounding her work will make her millions or acknowledge her outside of Clarkston in a positive way. I highly doubt this is going to happen. There are many artist in the World who have the same narcisstic view of their pieces.
Once the controversary dies, so will this piece and her notority.