Michelino Peterson is an award winning artist. She was commended by the United States Congress for her amazing murals of ocean mammals located in Ventura Harbor. At the entrance area of Channel Islands Natural Park, her art so inspired Bernadine Irwin that she convinced the Loma Linda Parks and Beautification Committee that they would be profoundly benefitted by commissioning Michelino to create some ceramic murals in Loma Linda.
The first of these three large murals is the Freedom to Be Mural on an outside wall at Hulda Crooks Park. It is named in honor of the Freedom to Be program created by Dr. Bernadine L Irwin. The program empowered at-risk teens to experience the Freedom To Be their highest God-given potentials through experiences with horses, donkeys, dogs, and nature. In the Freedom To Be mural artist Michelino Peterson featured animals, birds, and plants; all of which are found in our area. In the center are three donkeys whose names are Burrito, Bamabus, and Bonnie. Also seen in this inspiring mural are a deer and fawn, coyotes, and a raccoon as well as a red-tailed hawk, and a raven.
The second large mural is The Sparrows Mural. This one is located on the wall outside the Loma Linda Public Library. The story behind this mural began when Michelino noticed a baby sparrow on the ground near her home. The baby sparrow looked lifeless; however, when Michelino tenderly placed the bird in the palm of her hand, the warmth of her hand kindled life to the baby bird. She took it into her home placed it in a soft clothe with a warming lamp over it. She also fed it by hand.
Gradually, as the bird thrived and grew, Michelino began introducing it to the outdoors. When it was able to fly, she released it into the air, so it could join other sparrows. On the mural can be seen sparrows, as well as children reading books in the out-doors.
The third mural is Children at Play. It is a statement of diversity and inclusivity as children of all races demonstrate the truth in the song whose words are "Red and Yellow, Black and White, All are precious in His Sight." This third mural is located at the playground at the Leonard Bailey Park, next to Loma Linda Public School. The children are playing where Canadian Geese, huge daisies, and apple trees can be seen.
Each of these three murals took Michelino about a year to create; each is distinctly unique. All three tell their own tale ... a tale worth following.