Nov 072024
 

This mural was created by Ben Johnston for the 2022 edition of SHINE Mural Festival in St. Pete, Florida. You can also find his recent work on Instagram.

This year is the 10th Anniversary of the festival which begins tomorrow 11/8. On Saturday, 11/9/ there is a kick-off party, taking place at FloridaRAMA.

Oct 112024
 

The photo of this mural was taken while visiting the River Arts District in Asheville in 2021. The damage from Hurricane Helene in this and many other areas has been extensive.

For updates on where to help, donate, volunteer, and to receive assistance if needed, head to the Instagram accounts linked below-

@visitasheville

@riverartsdistrictasheville

@discoverashevillenc

@travelguidesasheville

@frenchbroadriverbrewery

Aug 232024
 

This mural was created by German artist Case Maclaim for 2016’s Top to Bottom mural project- a group of murals covering a building in Long Island City organized by Arts Org NYC.

Aug 172024
 

This mural was created by Claudia Walde, aka MadC, for the 2022 edition of SHINE Mural Festival in St. Pete, Florida.

For more of her work, also check out her website and Instagram.

Aug 122024
 

After hearing the sad news of Shelley Duvall’s passing, I decided to watch a few films from her filmography and started with 3 Women, released in 1977. Based on a dream writer/director Robert Altman had, the film follows Duvall and Sissy Spacek as their lives and identities intertwine in the California desert. Later a third woman played by Janice Rule, becomes more important in the pair’s world.

Using reflections, water, mirrors, mirrored actions, and twins, Altman creates a mysterious space for these women to inhabit. Adding to the unsettling energy of the film are a series of murals created by artist Bodhi Wind (Charles Kuklis).

It’s definitely worth a watch, with an ambiguous ending that has been subject to many interpretations.

 

 

Aug 082024
 

Gift, by Lili Yuan was created for the 2020 edition of SHINE Mural Festival in St. Pete, Florida.

This is her statement about the work from the SHINE website

“With millions of gallons of wastewater spilled around Tampa Bay in recent years, I chose to depict an obscured female surrounded by water to convey an implicit narrative that the water and humanity are more tightly coupled than ever. After going through many ideas, I went for a simplified design because the value of water itself is precious enough to resonate. Holding water in hand symbolizes a precious gift from nature as water sustains all life no matter big or small; and the round shape represents nature’s best gift – our mother earth.

Meanwhile, I chose the Chinese idiom “上善若水“, which means “Be like water, as water stays humble while benefiting all”. It shows the importance of water and strikes a chord with humans whom should all be loving nature and preserving our precious water resources.”- Lili Yuan

Jul 252024
 

Move, by Thomas Evans, aka Detour, was created for PINCFest in Sarasota’s Rosemary District. The mural depicts Congolese dancer Enock Kadima (left) and singer/dancer Canela Vasquez (right), who performs with the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, which is based in Sarasota.

Evans recently completed a mural for Long Beach Walls in Los Angeles. In addition to posting recent work, he also gives useful art advice every Tuesday on his Instagram page.

Jun 072024
 

It was great to see new work by Keya Tama and his partner Isolina Minjeong at Court Tree Collective in Industry City. I last saw Tama’s work in Los Angeles in 2019. The woven and ceramic pieces they have created for Defender are charming and reflect their personal backgrounds. The couple have also kept the prices low to encourage younger collectors.

From the gallery-

Court Tree Collective proudly presents “Defender”, a duo exhibition by Isolina Minjeong and Keya Tama. These two young artists work by blending the old with the new and by infusing their cultural heritage into their creations. This new body of work breathes fresh life into traditional art forms. Their work is a vibrant reflection of their identity and experiences, enriching the viewer with diverse perspectives and narratives. The title “Defender” is for upholding traditions in a modern world. The exhibition features folklore history through ceramics, paintings, and tapestries. Combining traditional art forms, while incorporating elements of pop culture brings to light the protection of the past. Exacting the moment of when history becomes relevant in both the past and future.

Playing off each other’s strengths has unified the work as something special. Not only as two artists in pursuit of creating together, but in working in the present to bring a unique perspective on art history.

“Defender” is an exhibition of their collaborative language. Through tapestries, paintings, muralism, and ceramic sculptures, Keya and Isolina protect each other’s hearts. This is their first duo exhibition in New York.

This exhibition closes 6/8/24.

 

May 042024
 

Ewuresi Archer’s Indescribable Charm was created for Land Studio’s rotating space The Art Wall in Cleveland’s Public Square. Archer is a Ghanaian American artist who is based in the city and graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art.

From the artist about this work-

Indescribable Charm is a piece about capturing the indescribable feeling of tranquility through a vibrant landscape. With exaggerations in the textured grass with natural shades of green contrasted with bright oranges and distorted landscapes, this piece provides a space for people to stop, think, and reflect. Within this charming scene, a figure stands front and center with features associated with African Americans. My art is about celebrating myself and my culture; with this piece, I’m celebrating the beauty of black people. Putting an African American figure in a field of grass that calls for admiration gives a viewer no choice but to also admire the figure’s aesthetics. This piece puts them in a place of admiration. His strong yet ethereal presence adds depth to the piece as a whole. The serene landscape, in contrast to the figure’s beauty, creates a wonderfully harmonious composition that invites viewers to contemplate the majestic charm of the grass and the mysterious beauty of the figure.

You can also find Ewuresi Archer on Instagram.

Apr 242024
 

Rainbird, by Miami-based artist Douglas Hoekzema, aka Hoxxoh, was created for the 2023 edition of SHINE Mural Festival in St. Pete, Florida.