Portland Mural Art

 

BotJoy, Gary Hirsch

Art can bring us joy; it can challenge us, or give us new perspectives. Art displayed in museums and galleries, or inside buildings and private homes, can only be seen by those who have the means or access to enter those buildings.

But some artists use the external walls of buildings as their canvas, creating public art that enhances the urban landscape and is available for all to see. Portland, Oregon is rich with murals in many styles, some meticulously executed and signed, others more casual and anonymous. In 2020, mural artists have also used their talents to beautify boarded-up storefronts throughout the city, a result of closures due to the pandemic and protest-related window breakage and vandalism. These artists are creating temporary beauty to replace profanity and destruction.

This post is a celebration of some of my favorite murals in the City of Roses.

BotJoy by Gary Hirsch

SE 12th and Stark

 “An army of hand-painted domino robots  that wander the earth looking for joy, bravery, love, and coffee.” The original Bots were painted on the back of dominos, but Hirsch’s larger-than-life Bots grace buildings from Portland, OR to Madrid. Gary encourages other artists, children and teachers to “steal” his idea and create their own Bots. He loves the fact that his idea has spread, encouraging others to embrace positivity through lovable Bots. “Bots allow me to find all sorts of ways to let go of my art so I can see what delightful and surprising things can emerge.”

As Covid-19 impacted everyday life, Hirsch wanted to use his Bots to make a difference.  He distributes them to children in hospitals, and is involved in Create More Fear Less, a non- profit that inspires young people to deal with anxiety as a source of imagination, empathy, wisdom and healing.  Hirsch also found a way to show appreciation to front line workers in Portland. "I offered donations of Gratitude Bots to anyone who wanted to thank a front line worker. So far, over 600 have been donated,” he said.

Buckman Community Mural, SE 12^th Avenue and Morrison St.

A masterpiece in concept and execution, the Buckman Community Mural demonstrates how wall art can beautify a less-than-gorgeous location: it’s on the side of a Plaid Pantry at a busy southeast intersection, half obscured by a bus stop shelter. 

This stunning 40- by 16-foot mural was created by local artist Joe Cotter in 2011. It was funded by a $21,550 grant from the city’s Bureau of Environmental Services to counter the impact of “Big Pipe” construction on the neighborhood. The Big Pipe is depicted in the mural, as are bridges and mountains, the Willamette River, houses and buildings of many eras (including some with solar panels), community gardens, people bicycling and gathering in outdoor spaces, and what appear to be edible plantings in the heart of the city. 

It’s said that Cotter spent weeks walking through the neighborhood block by block, photographing present day Buckman neighborhood. Interestingly, the mural also incorporates historical Buckman in sepia paint tones, transitioning to full color as it moves outward in time and space. Specific landmarks that can be spotted include Lone Fir Cemetery (one of the oldest in Portland), Dr. Hawthorne’s Insane Asylum (now adjacent to a stellar food cart pod), the chimney from the former Washington High School, the hippo from Hippo Hardware, and many more fascinating details that are best observed from the north side of Morrison Street. 

Incidentally, Cotter’s murals are exceptional, numerous and located throughout Oregon. For more information, check out this website: http://www.josephcotter.com/murals.html

Keep on the Sunnyside, SE 30th south of Belmont Street

In multiple panels marching up SE 30th on the east side of Aikido-Two Rivers Aikikai, this mural depicts vignettes of Sunnyside neighborhood in southeast Portland: lush gardens, a Little Free Library, a friendly cat, free goods on the side of the road (AKA Portland recycling), the old fire station, Victorian houses, bicyclists beside the now defunct streetcar that once ran through the neighborhood, and an assortment of residents and their pets. The design is by MADDO, the mural was organized by PSAA (Portland Street Art Alliance) and sponsored by SE Uplift. It was created in 2017.

Portland Street Art Alliance

Portland Street Art Alliance is turning lemons into lemonade by promoting the employment of laid-off artists to beautify boarded-up storefronts around Portland. In downtown Portland, BIPOC street artists have created murals on panels surrounding the World Trade Center building, with support from NeighborsWest Northwest and wall space provided by Portland General Electric.

For the artists, it’s a chance to do something positive and uplifting for the community. At the same time, they are helping business owners, who have taken a tremendous blow from both COVID19 and civic unrest in the city, resulting in widespread vandalism. The vibrant artwork helps show the public that these businesses are staying optimistic for a healthy future. For Portland residents, these artists are providing beauty in unexpected places. 

This video shows some Portland mural artists at work:

Miscellaneous Murals

In southeast Portland, colorful and provocative murals can be found framing parking lots and on the sides of unidentified buildings and residences. Here are a few favorites, all within walking distance of each other:

Parking lot, SE 11th and Stark

Parking lot, SE 11th and Stark

Together we Shine, SE 10th and Washington

SE 19th and Belmont

Side of someone's garage, SE Belmont

SE 19th and Belmont

This is just a small sample of the visual feast that can be enjoyed throughout the city.  Although there are guides and maps available for those who are serious about mural gazing, wandering the streets of Portland can be a fun way to discover and enjoy hidden gems and the immense creativity of local artists.

Do you have a favorite Portland mural?

Portland Winter Light Festival

The author at Mihaly's Gate

The Portland Winter Light Festival reminds me why I love Portland.

For 3 nights in early February, artists’ creations from petite to enormous adorn the pedestrian paths on both sides of the Willamette River with mesmerizing colored lights and fire, with displays that respond to movement or sound, with undulating shapes and colors projected on the sides of bridges and buildings.  Volunteers outfitted in outlandish illuminated capes and hats and glow-fingered gloves pull crazy contraptions through the crowd, soliciting donations to keep this annual event free. 

Twinkle Trees

Families are out en masse, with kids and dogs who dance and pose among the inventive light-inspired installations, utterly undeterred by the light drizzle.  We need this sparkle in February, a month traditionally known for ice storms and winter white skies. Thursday evening wasn’t too cold, and the wind was light, and the mood was festive on the east side of the river.

One of my favorite sights was the Twinkle Trees in a succession of colors, first shocking pink, then sun yellow, neon blue, gaudy green.  Each tree monochromatic and covered with flowers or gingko leaves and framing the view of the west bank of the river, where other neon colored objects beckoned.

Crystal Evolution

As we meandered south past OMSI we encountered Crystal Evolution, a color-changing work in metal with lights and fire.  In the words of artist Kay Sims, “crystals grow and tentacles reach out from an alien seed pod filled with flame.”  That didn't deter people from gathering around it to warm their hands and bodies.

An installation called Waking Revery features the reflection and

Waking Revery

refraction of light within a multi-layered octahedron.  Creator TVA Architects describes it as a portal between consciousness and sleep, where “familiar sights morph into abstract expressions.  Concrete objects are dematerialized, while the vivid colors of dreams come to life.”

Throughout the city, there are more than 100 illuminated art installations, dozens of live events, and numerous kinetic fire sculptures during the festival.  

Perhaps that gives you a taste of the whimsy and magic of this nocturnal event.  It’s Portland eclectic, Portland gathering and glittering, Portland aglow.  It's the Portland I love.