VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach based artist, Troy Summerell, of OnieTonie Designs, is adding another pop of color to a blank wall at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. It's ahead of the Something in the Water Festival.
This is actually Summerell's second mural he's done for the festival after teaming up with Pharrell's nonprofit, Team Yellow.
"This was bare for maybe 50 plus years, so a really good opportunity to put something like this up," says Summerell when talking about the location of the mural.
You may recognize this artist's work. Summerell has been spreading positivity with his brightly colored murals and is doing it for the second time for the Something in the Water Festival.
"The theme of Something in the Water is aliens and spaceships and outer space this year, so I just kind of combined the two," says Summerell.
Summerell says it takes him about a week and 20 gallons of paint to finish a mural like this.
"It's really just supposed to get you in that moment. There's really not a lot of depth to it as far as the meanings behind it. It's just supposed to be happy and colorful in the moment that you're experiencing it," says Summerell when asked about his painting style.
The latest mural is located on 10th Street and Pacific at the Oceanfront. And the one done for the first Something in the Water Festival is located on 17th.
"My big OnieTonie smiling flower and smiling fish. It turned out to be a pretty popular mural and I'm just grateful to have been able to put that up and be involved," says Summerell.
Summerell not only does these large-scale wall murals, but you've probably seen the CHKD transport ambulances driving around with his artwork. He's actually painted 5 of them.
So, how did he get involved in the world of art and murals?
"I was inspired to do it. I wanted to make a positive impact in the community somehow. I knew I had this artwork that I believed in, so the next step was to put it out there," says Summerell.
Meteorologist April Loveland asked Summerell what he would tell up and coming artists.
"You are going to get a lot of no's. So, you gotta be comfortable with that. You may get fifty no's before you get a yes, but all you need is that one yes. Don't worry about the no's or getting turned down, you just gotta keep going," says Summerell.
Summerell has done so many things for the community. He's involved in the upcoming Jackalope Fest, Sand Soccer Championship and the CHKD's RUNWALK for the kids.
If you'd like more info, you can check OnieTonie out on social media or visit onietonie.com.
