Artist Spotlight: Jaye Mullins
By Lindsey Ebert
The Cedar Tree Villa porch recently received a major makeover by artist Jaye Mullins and her cousin, Jamie Reinbolt.
As part of ongoing updates to the villa, Project Chimps recruited three volunteer artists to brighten up the chimps’ living spaces. Like humans, chimpanzees can see color and recognize objects and designs, meaning they would be able to perceive the joyful new updates to their home.
Before she retired, Jaye was involved with a traveling theatre creating backdrops. She even taught backdrop painting classes. Although she hadn’t painted for some time, she has always had a great affection for chimpanzees. So, when she heard that Project Chimps was looking for an artist, she decided that volunteering to paint the mural would be a great way to get started again.
“I just wanted to give the chimps something back because they have given so much to humankind,” said Jaye.
100 Acre Wood
Jaye was assigned to the largest area, a 35’x15’ wall in the Cedar Tree Villa open air porch. Her vision for the space was something that would include bright colors and look similar to Winnie-the-Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. “I put water, bumblebees, trees, and other animals. I was just hoping it would give them some happiness,” said Jaye.
With only four days to complete such a large project, Jaye knew she would need to call in back-up. Her cousin, Jamie, a successful interior designer and artist, drove from Columbus, Ohio to help her tackle the job.
Jaye and Jamie worked for four days, eight hours a day to complete the mural. One of her favorite parts of the project was that the chimps were able to watch as they worked.
The Chimps Will Know We Were There
“It was the most awesome experience ever to be outside in the fresh air and see the chimps come and watch us. We could take a break and chat with them,” said Jaye, “At the very end one of the chimps came up and she was sitting and looking. She was scanning back and forth and taking it all in. We tried to make it very vibrant, and I think she was attached to all the colors.”
Jaye said she didn’t need any recognition because it was an honor to be chosen to paint the piece, but she did say they signed their names at the bottom of the mural “so the chimpanzees would know we were there.”
Project Chimps will be selecting mural artists to donate their talent for additional spaces in 2021. Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss the announcement!