The blank wall over a stairway often represents a decorating challenge. We chose this space as our “canvas” to paint an aerial view of Penobscot Bay. The mural depicts the bay’s many islands and lighthouses to scale and showcases a wide variety of sailing vessels. We added the tri-color compass rose to accurately orient this nautical chart. The yellow-ochre background wash was chosen to add warmth and light to the stairway and helps make the mural connect with the yellow-ochre and black compass roses painted on the stair-risers. The theme of this mural adds personal meaning to the homeowners who have sailed the waters of Penobscot Bay for many years. Photo by Hope Angier.