When we first started up our painting business, abstrakt, LLC, back in 2007, we sent out
about 250 fliers to several architects and interior design firms. We figured that if we received one
job out of all those fliers, it would make the mailing expense worth it. Well, we received just one response...the only one we needed! It was from an architectural firm that was designing a new
elementary school in Albuquerque. They wanted a rough estimate on how much it would cost to
paint 2 large murals, each approximately 18 feet high by 265 feet wide. Matt did some figuring and
came up with a rough estimate. He felt like it was just a crazy dream for a long time. He would keep
himself up at night wondering if this would really ever come to pass, as well as what would be involved in getting them up on the wall. I know he lost many hours of sleep in the last couple of years.
Anyway, as time drew nearer, they wanted an exact estimate for the job. Matt still couldn't
believe it was real and just kept figuring that the day would come when he would realize
that it was just a dream and he would wake up.
The day came when he went to the school site and witnessed that the metal walls
were real and they were literally being installed.
Months and actually over 2 years later, he gathered up workers, supplies and the courage to get started. They worked late at night projecting and scaling the images up on these large metal walls. One night in the midst of working they heard Police Sirens blaring and laughed about the sorry-souls who were getting "busted." A few minutes later, 4 police cars screeched into the parking lot and pointed their lights on these 3 innocent men. With hands on their guns, ready to take action, they began questioning them about what they were doing and that there were complaints that there were graffiti artists painting the school. Matt explained that they were working on a mural and they had permission from the Principle to be there at night, in order to see the projection. The police officers asked to see their drivers license and then called the principle to verify the truth of their story. Then when the Head Officer gave the "Code 4" all the officers left. Then he told Matt that if he saw him on the roof, he would knock his ladder down. They were literally BUSTED, caught red-handed with Sharpie Markers in hand, a movie projector, and writing the school name!
What an exciting adventure!
There were a few minor set backs, mostly the weather being too cold or too windy, but finally the landscape mural was completed before Christmas 2009. It got too cold to finish the 2nd Mural with the name of the school. Hopefully early next year!
The finished results were amazing! We were extremely blessed to come across this job and with the winnings, we were able to pay off a lot of our business start- up debt. Matt felt Heavenly Father's influence many times throughout this adventure. Whenever he would be lost for what to do, when problems would arise, he would be led to the most simple solutions. We truly feel blessed.
