Well-known decorative artist and muralist Bob Dasher returned to Ohio from his new home in Georgia to grace Geauga County with another stunning mural, this one across from the Middlefield Tavern at 15958 High St. in Middlefield Village.
Well-known decorative artist and muralist Bob Dasher returned to Ohio from his new home in Georgia to grace Geauga County with another stunning mural, this one across from the Middlefield Tavern at 15958 High St. in Middlefield Village.
After seeing Dasher’s mural work along the Maple Highlands Trail in Burton Station, Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich approached Dasher about completing a mural near the intersection of state routes 608 and 87.
“They wanted community, recreation and commercial,” Dasher explained in a recent phone interview. “I did a series of drawings over the summer and this is the one they picked.”
The 75-foot-by-15-foot mural portrays an idyllic scene you just might see in Middlefield. There is a family walking together, people running, biking and canoeing and even an Amish buggy trotting down a road, seemingly right out of the painting.
Dasher, who owned a decorative arts business in Cleveland for over 30 years, grew up in the paint business. His father owned a retail paint store and he went to school for art.
He continued the tradition with his own children — all of them employees at Dasher Decorative Arts at some point, he said.
“It’s very physical doing an outside mural,” said Dasher who, at 70, has completed interior and exterior murals all over the world.
In Burton, due to unforeseen circumstances, Dasher had to go it alone. But this time, he was thankful to have help. His longtime friend and partner, John Buekman, was able to lend a hand painting the mural.
The process, which took about two weeks, from Sept. 29 until Oct. 12, went relatively smoothly, he said. However, an early fall storm added a little mayhem.
“On the 9th, we had a huge rain in Middlefield that washed my tent and all my paint away,” Dasher said. “It flooded the whole downtown. I had to spend most of the 10th just cleaning up.”
Despite the challenges, Dasher really likes doing murals.
“I like the people,” he said. “I really like getting people’s ideas. I like painting what people like, their favorite place, what it is that they would like on their wall. I have a pretty vivid imagination. I can draw as you talk.”
Dasher is not alone in his love for the art form.
“There are lots of people who are doing murals and it really adds a lot to a town,” he added.
Middlefield is no exception. There is even a second Dasher mural in the works for the village and is being planned for next spring.
“I don’t mind coming up for a month or so, “ Dasher said. “Artwork is something I will always love.”
