In January 2009, Ellen met with Courtney Macomber from Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera, California to schedule a 6-session mural project with three 5th grade classes. They chose the theme "Life Lessons from the Coastal Miwok tribe". In session one, the students drew their memories of lessons they had learned from the Coastal Miwoks.
In the session two Ellen, Courtney and her students created a rough composite drawing on butcher paper. Ellen created a final composite, using the students drawings, and traced it onto vellum in ink.
In session 3, the students colored in the composite drawing. Ellen gridded the drawings, then the boards, and transferred the drawings. The next 3 sessions were for painting.
