Award-winning artist Alan Syliboy is taking art to new hights as he paints a mural in front of a live audience about five metres off the ground at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

He's painting on scaffolding in the busy terminal building.

"I used to be a house painter a long time ago. I wasn't crazy about ladders and other things, but I managed them," he said.

He won’t reveal what the piece will be. Instead, viewers can tune into his web cam and watch it unfold in real time.

"It's kind of top secret. We would like you to come see the process," he said.

Peter Spurway, the airport’s vice president of corporate communications, said the project took a while to get off the ground, but said it will be a great addition to the terminal building.

"It is large. It is very bold and colourful and striking and symbolic."

Millions of people travel through the airport every year. Syliboy said the exposure means a lot to his community.

"I think we will be visible as Mi'kmaq people. Our design will be here. It will greet people. I think it will be something quite important."