Mr. Porter’s Painted Walls

Mr. Porter’s Painted Walls is an introduction to American folk artist, Rufus Porter (1792-1884). He was an itinerant painter, prolific inventor and founded the magazine, Scientific American. Known as “The Yankee DaVinci” Mr Porter held patents for inventions from airships and labor saving farm tools to wind mills. Hundreds of his artworks survive today in the form of murals and portraits.

We meet him through Rose, a creative and curious child who loves to draw. Mr. Porter is hired by her parents to paint a mural in their home on the village green. The 1830s New England village is buzzing with excitement about the traveling painter who has sailed to Hawaii and traveled from Vermont to Virginia. He inspires young Rose to see herself as an artist and his beautiful mural transforms their home.