Murals & Public Art: the purpose of place

Public art honors and deepens the purpose of a place in a way that is accessible for everyone. I paint murals or stencils and create designs to be scanned and printed on wall coverings and aluminum panels. For a Oaxacan restaurant, I painted murals of traditional dances and textiles to add to the cultural experience of diners. Exam room designs I created for a children’s clinic validate young patients’ need for play and connection with nature. I enjoy learning from you about the purpose of your work/location and collaborating to create art that celebrates your mission.

How will art deepen the purpose of your space?

Bring energy and belonging to your restaurant, school, community center, healthcare facility, or other business.

Donor Wall for Women's & Children's Hospital

4502 Medical Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229

After the successful completion of art for two floors of the University Health Women’s & Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, TX, I was commissioned to design the donor wall, a 63 foot expanse located at the entrance of the new hospital. Working closely with hospital’s design team and foundation, I created this painted gouache and collage design with space for donor names and stories. The design was scanned, enlarged, and digitally transferred to the walls with flat and low-relief elements.

 

My design installed in the entryway of University Health Women’s & Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, TX, 2023, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering and low-relief elements on a 63’ x 8’ wall

Section of the donor wall installation, 2023

Section of the donor wall installation, 2023

 

Donor wall at the entryway of University Health Women’s & Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, TX, 2023, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering and low-relief elements on a 63’ x 8’ wall

 

University Health Women's & Children's Hospital

4502 Medical Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229

I designed two floors in the new University Health System Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The art - made from painted gouache and collage technique - was scanned, enlarged, and digitally transferred to the walls of the hospital which opened in 2023. I created full-wall designs for two separate 150ft corridors, 8 unique patient rooms, and one family waiting area. The designs are based on the theme of “in bloom” and intended to bring a sense of playfulness and calm to pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.

 

Design for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit patient room, 2021, gouache collage

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit corridor D, 2021, enlarged and installed to fill a 7’8” x 140’ space, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit patient room, 2021, enlarged and installed to fill a 6’2” x 13’8” space, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering

 

Design for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit corridor E, 2021, gouache collage

 

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit patient room, 2021, enlarged and installed to fill a 6’2” x 13’8” space, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit patient room, 2021, enlarged and installed to fill a 6’2” x 13’8” space, gouache collage and acrylic paint stencils scanned and printed on wall covering

 

Design for Emergency Floor waiting room, 2021, enlarged and installed to wrap around a 8’8” x 34’ space, collage and stencil design scanned and printed on wall covering

 

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit patient room, 2021, enlarged and installed to fill a 6’2” x 13’8” space, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit corridor E, 2021, enlarged and installed to fill a 7’8” x 156’ space, gouache collage scanned and printed on wall covering

 

Design for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit corridor D, 2021, gouache collage

 

Springwater Environmental Sciences School

6491 S Springwater Rd, Oregon City, OR

In 2021 and 2023, as part of Springwater Environmental Sciences School’s summer program, I led art classes for PreK-8th grade students to develop material for the exterior mural. I then used the children’s drawings and paper collages to create designs for the mural. The first year celebrate the the school’s large garden and the second year’s mural explored native plants in the area. I facilitated student participation in the mural painting and gave final coats and touches to the finished mural.

Garden of Life mural, 2021, 8’6” x 20’, acrylic paint on metal storage container

Garden of Life mural, 2021, 8’6” x 20’, acrylic paint. Mural faces the school yard and adds whimsical brightness to the play area

Students paint local flora, Sword Ferns, on the 2023 mural

Students painting on the 2021 mural

Student carefully filling in design inspired by their drawings from the school garden for the 2021 mural

Children focus in on two wild flowers for the 2023 mural.

 

Willamette Partnership

1300 SE Stark St, Portland, OR

Willamette Partnership is a nonprofit bringing collaborative conservation to infrastructure, working lands, and public health across the West. I was hired to design and draw a colorful mural for the chalkboards in their uniquely renovated office space at Revolution Hall. After interviewing their staff about the specific projects they support, I created a mural to celebrate the diversity of this work. You can learn more about the project in this article.

 

Close up of mural featuring an Oregon White Oak, 2022, colored chalk and pastel

 

Pano of full mural and artist adding the final touches, 2022, colored chalk and pastel

 

Close up of mural featuring a Short Nose Sucker fish which is endangered in the Klamath River, 2022, colored chalk and pastel

Close up of mural featuring agricultural work in the Willamette Valley, 2022, colored chalk and pastel

 

Full mural in the Willamette Partnership office, making an engaging space for meetings both virtual and in-person

 

Tierra del Sol Restaurant

6935 NE Glisan St. Portland, OR

For the new Tierra del Sol location, I designed and painted three panel murals that are installed around the window of the walk-up restaurant. I also cut and applied stencils, based on the restaurant logo, to the kitchen walls. I worked closely with the owner to create murals that honor the dances and textiles of Oaxaca. The result is a lively environment that adds to the authentic experience of the delicious food.

Jarabe Mixteco mural, 2020, 3’ x 3’, acrylic paint on free-hanging wood panel

Alebrijes mural (2’ x 8’) detail, 2020, acrylic paint on wood panel

Alebrijes mural (2’ x 8’) detail, 2020, acrylic paint on wood panel

Alebrijes mural (2’ x 8’) detail, 2020, acrylic paint on wood panel

View of the front of Tierra del Sol restaurant

Alebrijes mural, 2020, 2’ x 8’, acrylic paint on wood panel

Tierra del Sol logo, 2020, 2’ x 2’ each, acrylic paint stenciled on the inside of kitchen

Posing by the finished mural with restaurant owner, Amalia Vázquez

 

Penn State Children's Heart Clinic, exam rooms

121 N Nyes Rd, Harrisburg, PA

Site Painters contracted me to design the artwork for patient exam rooms in the Children’s Heart Clinic as part of a larger commission for Penn State College of Medicine. The theme of these designs is “children at play in nature.” Each piece is a collage of razor-cut, hand-painted paper scanned and printed on 24” x 24” aluminum panels that are installed in 14 exam rooms.

Out to Sea, 2019, 24” x 24”, razor-cut paper collage scanned and printed on aluminum panel

Cloud Watching, 2019, 24” x 24”, razor-cut paper collage scanned and printed on aluminum panel

Out to Sea, 2019, 24” x 24”, installed in exam room

Fish Play, 2019, 24” x 24”, razor-cut paper collage scanned and printed on aluminum panel

Fairy Home, 2019, 24” x 24”, razor-cut paper collage scanned and printed on aluminum panel

Fish Play, 2019, 24” x 24”, installed in exam room

 

Private commissions

Portland, Bolivia, Colorado

I also do commissions for private homes, businesses, and events. Displayed here are projects for a room at a private residency, a photo booth background for a fundraising event, a mural for a yoga studio, and a mural for a cultural arts center.

Kaleidoscope, 2009, acrylic painted mural for a yoga center in Crestone, CO

Private residence room, 2018, acrylic paint

Pacific Northwest Scene close-up, 2019, 7’ x 5’, acrylic paint on canvas photo booth background for the annual fundraiser of nonprofit Betties360

Crecimiento, 2014, acrylic painted mural for La Guarusa a women’s cultural center in La Paz, Bolivia

 

Penn State Children's Heart Clinic, corridors

121 N Nyes Rd, Harrisburg, PA

I worked for Site Painters to help research and design nature scenes featuring flora and fauna native to the Pennsylvania area. I cut and prepared the wood panels, which range in size from two to five square feet, and assisted in painting the designs. These panels were installed along the corridors of the heart clinic.

Leaping Squirrel, 2019, 20” x 36”, acrylic paint on wood panel

Deer, Owl, & Raccoon, 2019, 28” x 108”, acrylic paint on wood panel and stencils installed on corridor wall

Frog & Badger, 2019, 20” x 28”, acrylic paint on wood panel

Fox, 2019, 26” x 36”, acrylic paint on wood panel

Rabbit & Badger, 2019, 26” x 84”, acrylic paint on wood panel and stencils installed on corridor wall

 

Heritage Elementary School

440 Parr Road Woodburn, OR

I worked with Site Painters to teach a series of workshops for the students at Heritage Elementary School on painting and collage. We focused the projects on designs inspired from international folk art to reflect the cultural diversity of the student body. We then adhered the children’s collage pieces to painted wood panels that were installed in the school lobby to welcome students, families, and staff.

Celebration, detail, 2010, painted tyvek on wood panels

Celebration, 2010, two 4’ x 4’ panels and one 4’ x 5’ panel, painted tyvek on wood panels installed in Heritage Elementary School

Celebration, 2010, two 4’ x 4’ panels and one 4’ x 5’ panel, painted tyvek on wood panels installed in Heritage Elementary School

Celebration, detail, 2010, painted tyvek on wood panels

Celebration, detail, 2010, painted tyvek on wood panels

 

Mulino Headstart Center

13724 SE Freeman Rd. Mulino, OR

Site Painters was hired by the Oregon Child Development Commission to bring color and playful energy to this rural childcare center. I helped to apply the design with brushes, sponge pads, and acrylic paint.

Mulino Headstart playground, 2010, 12’ x 20’, acrylic paint

Mulino Headstart entrance, 2010, 12’ x 20’, acrylic paint

Mulino Headstart playground, 2010, 12’ x 20’, acrylic paint

Painting the Mulino Headstart mural, 2010

 

Tabor Commons

5633 SE Division St. Portland, OR

Site Painters hired me to assist in painting this vibrant mural, based on paper collage designs, on the this community center building. The mural is painted from scaffolds using brushes and rollers to apply the acrylic paint.

Tabor Commons, 2008, 14’ x 40’, acrylic paint

Painting the south wall of Tabor Commons

Tabor Commons, 2008, 14’ x 40’, acrylic paint

Painting the south wall of Tabor Commons

Tabor Commons, 2008, 14’ x 40’, acrylic paint

 

Tigard Transit Center

8960 SW Commercial St. Tigard, OR

TriMet commissioned Site Painters to design and paint this mural, “Rivers,” about the Tualatin watershed. Using acrylic paint, brushes, and rollers, I helped to transfer and paint this mural that is seen by thousands of daily travelers at the WES Commuter Rail station.

Tigard Transit Center, 2008, 10’ x 65’, acrylic paint

Tigard Transit Center, 2008, 10’ x 65’, acrylic paint

Tigard Transit Center, 2008, 10’ x 65’, acrylic paint

Tigard Transit Center, 2008, 10’ x 65’, acrylic paint

 

Trimet Barbur Blvd Transit Center

9750 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland, OR

This Site Painters mural, titled “Tapestry,” was commissioned by TriMet and the Regional Arts & Cultural Council. I helped to paint and stencil the design along a 280 foot wall by the Barbur Blvd. park and ride lot.

TriMet Barbur Blvd Transit Center, 2005, 10’ x 280’, acrylic painted stencils

TriMet Barbur Blvd Transit Center, 2005, 10’ x 280’, acrylic painted stencils

Next
Next

New Work