The transformation of Escondido's main library via an artist's imagination and vivid paint is nearing completion, and by all accounts it is living up to everyone's wildest expectations.

Thanks to countless hours of work by Escondido muralist Julia Anthony, the walls of the second-floor children's areas of the facility are now alive with scenes of an African savanna.

"We wanted to do something to make the children's library a destination place where kids would be excited to spend time and wanted to come back again and again," said city librarian Laura Mitchell. "We accomplished exactly what we wanted to accomplish."

Four-year old Marianna Isabella Risoff said the pictures make her want to come to the library "even more" as she stood admiring the entryway mural featuring gibbons apes.

"It's great," said Escondido resident Melanie Risoff, Marianna Isabella's mother. "They make it more inviting and it's so nice to have an opportunity to see the artist at work."

Meanwhile, Anthony worked on the finishing touches of the three-dimensional trees made of PVC pipe, layers of concrete and spackling compound. Small, handmade, one-of-a-kind leaves will be adhered to the trees to complete the magical scene surrounding the double doors. Like all the images she creates, the trees came purely out of Anthony's mind. She also doesn't sketch anything on the wall, just fills her paintbrush and gets to work.

A new library building has been pursued for several years, but the decision was ultimately made to renovate the existing facility. The estimated cost for the main, 92-foot wall and entry alcove murals was nearly $17,000 ---- money that was raised by the library's endowment foundation. Additional funds of $10,000 were then raised to allow Anthony to paint another mural on the opposing wall. That piece will also feature animals of the African savanna ---- but this time they will be all baby animals to adorn the toddler area they will dominate. The scene will appear to take place at dusk with a "vibrant, purple sky and pink, white and orange clouds. The scaffolding went into place late last week and work has begun on the final mural.

The original idea for the artwork had been giant blown-up photographs from the Wild Animal Park. But when Anthony's son-in-law happened to be at the library and overheard the discussions, he called Anthony and she "flew down in five minutes" with her portfolio in hand. After two presentations to the foundation of fully developed miniature paintings ---- versus simple sketches as is usually the case ---- Anthony landed the gig.

She said she is thrilled to be able to open the minds of children to nature and animals so that they can one day be the caretakers of the planet. She specifically chose some endangered species to highlight their beauty and value.

"It's a wonderful thing to make a positive change in an unspoken but very visual way," said Anthony. "In our society, we are losing touch with the arts, but it is so vital. It helps the way we think, and whether the kids go on to be artists or not, it definitely opens up their minds."

Library visitors can watch Anthony paint the final mural from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The work should be completed by late spring.