The weather stayed fine, which meant there were quite a few walkers and cyclists on the adjacent cycleway, taking an interest in the project.
"You'd look up and see them watching. That's the thing about working so publicly; it can become a bit like performance art."
Brandon had been painting large for four years after quitting his signwriting career. He was made redundant and decided to concentrate on his art rather than head back into signwriting.
"When I started in signwriting there was a lot of brush work and you had some creative licence but as the industry became more reliant on computers that individual component became less and less. You used to be able to drive around town and know who had painted which signs - not any more. So I had always been an artist and decided to try and make a living from it."
"It's funny once you start doing this - there are just blank walls everywhere that I'd love to have a go on."
The painting of the mural was supported by Hastings District Council, as part of its drive to continue enhancing the attractiveness and vibrancy of the district. Deputy mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the mural "adds vibrancy to our environment and recognises that Hastings is the home of Heinz Wattie's.
"It has had a very big part in the development of our wonderful district over the decades. We are incredibly fortunate that all the parties, especially Wattie's, pulled together to get this achieved."
Heinz Wattie's managing director Mike Pretty said the company had a long and proud history in Hastings and being able to so publicly add to the character of the city was an honour. "It looks as good as we had hoped. It is a real eye-catcher from both the A&P Showgrounds and the cycleway."
Wattie's history in Hastings dates back to 1934, when Jim Wattie and Harold Carr started J. Wattie Canneries. Mr Wattie saw that fresh Hawke's Bay produce was being wasted because it was too expensive to send it to Auckland and Wellington.
The pair started pulping gooseberries, plums and peaches to be made into jam, before moving into canning peaches and pears. From there it was a short stride to canning peas and tomatoes.
Wattie's products are in virtually every household in New Zealand and two thirds of production is exported across the world.
For more on the artist's work see: www.crimsonflower.co.nz