Jordan Dean, a talented artist from Cheyenne, Wyoming, is currently working on an extraordinary public art project that involves painting enormous murals on two prominent water tanks located north of the city. The centerpiece of these stunning murals features gigantic horses measuring 60 to 70 feet in height, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle that can be seen from miles away.
The ambitious project requires sophisticated equipment and specialized materials to execute properly. Dean utilizes two massive boom lifts for the work - one 60-foot boom positioned at a distance to project the desired image onto the water tank surface, and another 80-foot boom that serves as his mobile painting platform. These industrial boom lifts, generously donated by Wyoming Rents, are essential to making the project financially viable, as their daily rental rates typically cost thousands of dollars. Having access to this equipment for several weeks has been crucial to the project's success.
The technical challenges of painting at such heights initially led to various suggestions from the community about how to approach the work. Some people proposed using scaffolding systems, while others suggested rappelling techniques that would have Dean suspended by ropes while painting. However, these alternatives proved logistically impractical for a project of this scale and complexity.
Dean's preferred method involves working during nighttime hours when conditions are optimal. He arrives at the site around sunset and sets up the projector on the first boom lift, extending it into position to cast the image onto the tank surface. Due to the massive size of the water tanks, he must complete the work in sections, requiring him to periodically descend from his painting platform, reposition the projection equipment, and then return to continue his detailed outline work.
The artist describes feeling like "a human pen in the sky" while working from the boom lift, though he appreciates having his feet on what feels like solid ground rather than swinging through the air. During one particularly ambitious night session, Dean set a goal to complete the outlines for two horses, with one being exceptionally large. This marathon painting session allowed him to witness the sunrise from his elevated perch on the boom lift, creating a memorable moment in the artistic process.
The project operates as a collaborative effort between Dean and a professional day crew. While Dean works nights creating detailed outlines with spray paint, the day crew from CHP Tank Co. of Cheyenne handles the color filling process. This partnership became necessary due to the specialized nature of water tank paint, which costs an extraordinary $400 per gallon and has a working time of only about one hour after mixing before it begins to harden and become unusable.
The commercial-grade paint used for water tanks is specifically designed to resist adhesion of foreign materials, which means the tank surfaces must be thoroughly scrubbed and prepared before any new paint will properly adhere. Dean's spray paint outlines, while visible enough to guide the day crew, are largely removed during the surface preparation process that creates the necessary texture for paint adhesion.
Initially, Dean experimented with using Sharpie markers to create his guidelines, but discovered that these lines were too thin and became invisible after the required surface scuffing process. The current system involves Dean creating spray paint outlines in colors that approximate the final desired hues, while the professional crew references both these guidelines and detailed color maps to ensure accurate paint placement.
The mural's color palette is remarkably sophisticated, featuring five distinct shades of brown paint that create depth and dimensionality in the horses, making them appear more lifelike and dynamic. Additional colors include two shades of blue paint for sky elements, a cream color for field areas, and various green tones for grass and vegetation. The existing white color of the tanks serves as the base for cloud formations, eliminating the need for additional white paint.
After the day crew completes the basic color blocking, Dean returns to add the finishing touches that bring the mural to life. This final phase involves adding highlights, shadows, and intricate details, particularly around critical areas like the horses' eyes and noses. He also adds texture details such as individual hair strands and other fine elements that enhance the overall realism of the artwork.
The paint system used for this project is rated to maintain its quality and appearance for at least 30 years, though Dean expects the murals to last considerably longer based on his experience with similar outdoor artwork. He recalls visiting a mural he remembered from childhood at a California aquarium and finding it still vibrant and impressive after three decades, though showing natural signs of age.
Dean's subject selection process involved careful consideration of imagery that would resonate with Cheyenne residents across all demographics, ages, and backgrounds. He wanted to create something that the entire community could appreciate and feel represented their city appropriately. After considering various iconic Cheyenne elements such as trains, rodeo themes related to Frontier Days, or the State Capitol building, Dean ultimately chose to focus on timeless imagery that predated modern development.
The decision to feature horses reflected both Dean's personal connection to these animals, having grown up with horses in Cheyenne, and their significance to the city's identity, including events like the wild horse race. He envisioned massive horses appearing to round the hilltop where the tanks are positioned, creating a dynamic sense of movement and energy. The composition also includes a meadowlark, Wyoming's state bird, integrating additional local natural elements into the scene.
The current tank being painted is the city's newest water storage facility, which remains empty during the painting process to prevent condensation issues that could interfere with the artwork. Once this mural is completed, the tank will be filled and put into service, while the older tank will be emptied to allow for the second mural's creation, tentatively scheduled for the following summer.
Funding for the project comes entirely from private sources, as Cheyenne city officials insisted that no taxpayer money be used for the murals. This requirement makes the project dependent on successful private fundraising efforts to complete both planned installations.
Dean's vision for the second tank features an American Indian girl portrayed with dignity, confidence, and serenity, accompanied by bison and Indian paintbrush flowers. One of the tanks will also feature the word "Cheyenne" painted in a style similar to the Visit Cheyenne tourism logo, providing a subtle promotional element for the city.
Despite the challenges of working at such heights, Dean maintains his artistic practice of stepping back to evaluate his work critically and ensure proper proportions. This requires him to descend from the 80-foot boom lift and walk a considerable distance to gain the necessary perspective for artistic assessment. He has developed a routine of driving past the site during daylight hours to check on the day crew's progress and make notes for his evening work sessions.
Currently, the mural is approximately 20 percent complete, with progress dependent on favorable weather conditions. This project represents the tallest mural Dean has undertaken to date, though he has significant experience with large-scale artwork, including a previous 60-foot tall by 80-foot wide mural and several installations measuring around 30 feet in height.
Dean's reputation for large-scale mural work has begun attracting attention from clients in other states. He recently completed most of a major mural project in Alabama and has upcoming work scheduled in Maryland for late August or early September. This expanding client base began when Matt Hubbard, who worked for an installation company, saw Dean's murals at a Cheyenne trampoline park and promised to hire him for future projects.
Hubbard followed through on his promise, commissioning Dean for murals at group therapy clinics he established in South Carolina and North Carolina. Word-of-mouth recommendations from these projects have generated additional opportunities in various states, allowing Dean to support his family while pursuing his artistic passion.
The Cheyenne water tank project represents not only a significant artistic achievement but also a landmark addition to the city's visual landscape. The murals will serve as prominent landmarks visible to residents and visitors alike, contributing to Cheyenne's cultural identity while showcasing the remarkable skill and dedication required to create public art on such an unprecedented scale.
