Upper St. Clair Man's Artwork Featured at Phipps

After many late nights and early mornings, the artwork of 's Francis Cleetus is on display at Phipps Conservatory in Oakland.

Three 5-by-5-foot ceiling murals are hanging in the special events hall for the brand new exhibit—Tropical Forest India. Cleetus also made the exhibit's spice and tea market signs.

"It's going to be up for three years. A lot of eyes are going to see his work—thousands. So yes, I'd say it's an honor," said Jordyn Melino, exhibit coordinator.

Cleetus came highly recommended by his friends at the Hindu Jain Temple in Monroeville.

"He brought some of his paintings and we met in the space. We liked his work so we went for it," Melino said.

Cleetus, an advertising creative director who paints in his free time, found out he was chosen right before Christmas.

"It was a nice holiday gift," he said.

But he had to get right to work; he had less than two months to finish the murals. His basement was converted into an art studio and his wife, Maneesha, and even his 9 and 15-year-old daughters helped him paint a bit.

Cleetus made the deadline and was pleased with the finished product.

"I feel really happy that it turned out this way," he said. "I'm very passionate about what I do."

The Tropical Forest India exhibit opened earlier this month, after being changed from the Amazon theme.

Melino and her co-worker traveled all over India in 2010 to understand the biodiversity of the country and the cultural connection with the plants.

"This show has been very well researched," she said. "For us it's important not only to hightlight the beauty, but also the conservation efforts and what guests can do to help."

Cleetus visited Phipps with his two daughters before he was chosen to be part of Tropical Forest India.

"I think it's amazing we have a place like that (Phipps) in Pittsburgh," he said. "It's important for the girls to grow up understanding the importance of nature."

If anyone would like to contact Cleetus about creating artwork, email him at franciscleetus@gmail.com or visit his website.

Share your congratulations with Francis. Tell him in the comments.