Artist creates rendering of city’s iconic culture
By Eric Heinz
While driving toward the ocean from Interstate 5 on Avenida Pico, you may see some of San Clemente’s history emblazoned on a large canvas.
Artist Andi Goud, owner of Signs by Creations Unlimited, recently created a piece that includes much of San Clemente’s treasured history.
“I’ve been working with the clients, the owners of the Pico Pavilion, since about two years ago,” said Goud. “Sometimes it’s hard to get a mural like this to (get completed), so it’s really a gift to the city (when) someone wants to invest and hire a professional artist to take the time to execute that type of work.”
The whole project took about five days after the design process.
“We went through one phase of design phases and we went with one concept, then we changed the design at the discretion of the city,” Goud said. “It really turned out to be more of a historical mural. We had to recreate a brand-new mural from the original, so it took a while to come up with a concept that we were all happy with.”
In the historical piece, Goud said she worked with the San Clemente Historical Society and was able to peruse historical photos, which included the Ole Hanson Beach Club, unknown artists who are “unsung heroes” in the community, a 1932 Graham muscle car and more. The woman in the foreground was painted using Goud’s face as inspiration.
Because the mural is big enough to be a significant piece of art within San Clemente, officials from the city had to give it the final thumps up, Goud said.
The artists employed for the piece were Tierney Moses, San Clemente; Meghann Bell Nelsen, San Clemente; Lee Yarza, Long Beach; and “Surfin’ JoeMac” of Long Beach. Volunteers who contributed were Monte Livingston, Frederic Nelsen, Rick Goud, John Goud and Tallulah Aurora Dubois. “I was lucky to have some really great assistants,” Randi said.
The mural is located on the back of 415 E. Avenida Pico.
This is an excellent mural! I saw Randi and her crew working on it near my office. When it was completed I was very impressed and think it’s the best piece of public art in the city. Thank you, Randi. You are very talented.