ABOUT

This mural was painted on an entryway wall for the Chicago Workforce Center at 1700 W. 18th Street, in the heart of Pilsen, Chicago.

The brief was open. I could create anything I chose, so I took into consideration the use of the building and the audience that would be passing the mural every day. Because it is a workforce center where people come when they are unemployed and seeking help, I chose a bird icon to represent soaring, flying, and taking off. The dynamic wake of colors and patterns—a stylized landscape—represents good vibrations and happiness. It is meant to have a simple, universal message of positivity—a bold, bright, uplifting design.

A little bit about my process...I designed this piece completely on the computer, no pencil sketch. To get it on the wall I drew a grid of square inches over the design, then drew a grid of square feet on the wall and was able to scale it up without trouble.

The mural is in Pilsen, a predominantly Mexican community in Chicago, and the color palette fits in perfectly. I received lots of compliments about the colors in Spanish (then English when I said my Spanish is not so good), so I think I hit the mark.