U.S. Murals – One

“Street art” is public painting that ranges from destructive graffiti to enormous murals that beautify a building’s exterior. These photos exhibit wonderful outdoor artwork in the U.S. But what all street art has in common is their public venue that communicates to the masses.

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Bicyclist with a Band-Aid Mural on Absolute Bikes by Lyle Motley in Flagstaff, Arizona - Encircle Photos

1 Bicyclist with a Band-Aid Mural on Absolute Bikes by Lyle Motley in Flagstaff, Arizona

This mural of a bicyclist with a Band-Aid on his knee and a boy starring from a passing car was voted Best Public Art in the Editor’s Choice Awards by Flagstaff Live in Flagstaff, Arizona. This is a detail of a larger mural on the Absolute Bikes’ building. If you’re interested, it is fun to watch the time-lapse, on-line video of how Lyle Motely created it in 2007.

202 Historic Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
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Colorful Window Security Grate Mural in Alley in Flagstaff, Arizona - Encircle Photos

Colorful Window Security Grate Mural in Alley in Flagstaff, Arizona

Most window security bars are functional and unattractive, but not this colorful piece of art that guards a basement window in a downtown alley in Flagstaff, Arizona. Despite the graffiti that’s blemished it, the whimsical figures look characteristic of a children’s book illustration. By the way, there is a Flagstaff Art Walk on the first Friday of every month during which retailers stay open late in order to display various works of art. Tour maps are available.

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Victorian Citizens Piano Room Mural on Former Speakeasy Bar in Flagstaff, Arizona - Encircle Photos

2 Victorian Citizens Piano Room Mural on Former Speakeasy Bar in Flagstaff, Arizona

In the Leroux Street parking lot on the former Speakeasy Bar wall in Flagstaff, Arizona, is this mural of Victorian dressed citizens called “Piano Room.” It was painted by Sage, Jill and Dan Drilevich and Ricco Distefan in 2010. The woman on the left resembles Gustav Klimt’s 1907 portrait called “Adele Bloch-Bauer I.” That artwork sold in 2006 for $135 million. Flagstaff buildings have wonderful wall murals representing different artists, themes and styles. Thanks to the City of Flagstaff’s Beautification and Public Arts Commission, this outdoor gallery is growing. They frequently sponsor wall mural competitions. A Flagstaff Public Art Map is available.

12 N Leroux St Flagstaff, AZ 86001
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Day of Dead Mural in Scottsdale, Arizona - Encircle Photos

3 Day of Dead Mural in Scottsdale, Arizona

Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, has a cowboy setting for active, wealthy tourists and snowbirds who love to shop, particularly in art galleries. Sometimes the street art is equally appealing, like this mural by Moisés of a Day of the Dead smiling skeleton with a flower bonnet. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration on November 1 and 2. The tradition dates back two or three thousand years. The image of a dressed up woman skull in a Victorian hat is popular during the holiday. It was made famous in a 1913 etching called “La Calavera Catrina” by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada.

7228 E 1st Ave Scottsdale, AZ 85251
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Two Cowgirls Mural by Medína in Scottsdale, Arizona - Encircle Photos

4 Two Cowgirls Mural by Medína in Scottsdale, Arizona

In 2012, this wall mural of two cowgirls was painted above an art gallery’s roof in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, by Medína. The pretty, pin-up girls in western wear resemble Coca Cola cowgirl advertisements on signs and magazines from the 1940s and 1950s. The painting now adorns the vintage clothing boutique Fashion by Robert Black.

7144 East 1st Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
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Lighthouse Mural on Art & Antique Mall in Carlsbad, California - Encircle Photos

5 Lighthouse Mural on Art & Antique Mall in Carlsbad, California

I love lighthouses so I could not resist this painted version on the façade of the Art & Antique Mall in Carlsbad Village. This artistic marquee only hints at the countless collectables found in the 110 booths across 15,000 square feet of treasure hunting.

2752 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
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Crescent City Lighthouse Wall Mural in Crescent City, California - Encircle Photos

Crescent City Lighthouse Wall Mural in Crescent City, California

On an islet 200 feet from Battery Point in Crescent City, California, stands a small, cape-cod style lighthouse that was commissioned in 1855. It was managed by one keeper for forty years before becoming automated in 1953. It stood firm during a major tsunami that resulted from the Alaskan 9.2 earthquake in 1964 but was decommissioned the following year. Today, the lighthouse is a museum that is only accessible during low tides. This navigational beauty is portrayed in a mural on a building wall in Crescent City.

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Clown Face Mural at Arkley Performing Arts by Randy Spicer in Eureka, California - Encircle Photos

6 Clown Face Mural at Arkley Performing Arts by Randy Spicer in Eureka, California

On G Street between 5th and 6th Streets is the very long Arkley Performing Arts wall by Randy Spicer. This detail of a clown resembles those from the Ringling Brothers Circus. Across the parking lot is the Arkley concert hall that was formally the Richard Sweasey Theater built in 1920 but completely refurbished.

404 H St, Eureka, CA 95501
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Louis Armstrong Playing Trumpet Mural at Arkley Performing Arts in Eureka, California - Encircle Photos

7 Louis Armstrong Playing Trumpet Mural at Arkley Performing Arts in Eureka, California

The puffed cheeks and expressive eyes of Louis Armstrong playing his trumpet are perfectly painted by Randy Spicer as part of the long Arkley Performing Arts Mural in Eureka, California. This detail of Satchmo is one of several performing figures. Others include a Shakespearean look-a-like named “Willy,” a clown and hands playing a piano. The wall painting is a delightful composite.

404 H St, Eureka, CA 95501
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Old Hands Playing Piano Mural at Arkley Performing Arts in Eureka, California - Encircle Photos

8 Old Hands Playing Piano Mural at Arkley Performing Arts in Eureka, California

A wonderful season of symphony is played at The Arkley Center for the Performing Arts in Eureka, California. And, before entering the concert hall, your senses are delighted by a very long wall mural by Randy Spicer in the parking lot on 5th and G Streets that includes this detail of old hands playing the piano. A walking tour and maps are available for those who want to see the best of Erika’s street art.

404 H St, Eureka, CA 95501
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Mama Whale Mural in Eureka, California - Encircle Photos

9 Mama Whale Mural in Eureka, California

Eureka, California is a small town of 27,000 people who have a big appreciation for outdoor street art. One of the earliest wall murals among the Old Town’s Victorian homes and buildings is called “Mama Whale.” It’s located on the Moore’s Sleepworld Building on the corner of 5th and A streets.

3 5th St, Eureka, CA 95501
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Old Indio Mural in Indio, California - Encircle Photos

10 Old Indio Mural in Indio, California

Downtown Indio is adorned with about a dozen fabulous murals since the Chamber of Commerce launched the Historic Mural Project in 1996. “Old Indio” is a beautiful example. Painted by Bijan Masoumpanah in 2014, this detail features workers of the Southern Pacific Railroad when the depot opened at Indian Wells (now Indio) in 1876. The town experienced addition growth when U. S. Route 99 – The Main Street of California – was constructed in the 1920s as part of its 1,600 mile connection between the Mexican and Canadian boarders.

Miles Avenue & Towne Street, Indio, CA 92201
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Mack and the Boys Mural in Monterey, California - Encircle Photos

11 Mack and the Boys Mural in Monterey, California

John Steinbeck claimed to write fiction but what made his novel “Cannery Row” so powerful is that most of the characters were based on real people who lived and worked around the canneries during the 1930s and 1940s. This life-size mural by John Cerney is based on a black and white photo of Gabe Bicknell who was the character “Mack” and his homeless friends that he called “the boys.”

52 Irving Ave Monterey, CA 93940
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Colorful Butterfly Mural in Pedestrian Tunnel in Sacramento, California - Encircle Photos

12 Colorful Butterfly Mural in Pedestrian Tunnel in Sacramento, California

In the pedestrian tunnel that connects downtown Sacramento with Old Sacramento is a brightly colored wall mural that features a sitting Native American woman (not shown) as her flowing scarf evolves into this rainbow butterfly in flight. It’s a very bright addition to the otherwise dull, gray, poured concrete tunnel wall.

2805 3rd St, Sacramento, CA 95814
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Medusa Head with Snakes Hairdo Mural in Sacramento, California - Encircle Photos

Medusa Head with Snakes Hairdo Mural in Sacramento, California

This wall mural in downtown Sacramento, California, resembles the head of Medusa with her waving hair of venomous snakes. The rock in the background could symbolize any of the mythological men she turned into stone with her hideous glance. Fortunately, she was beheaded by Perseus who then gave it to Athena to place upon her shield for protection against evil. In modern times, this image has symbolized feministic rage. It is also used as a logo by Versace, the Italian fashion company.

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American Flag and Bald Eagle Mural in San Diego, California - Encircle Photos

13 American Flag and Bald Eagle Mural in San Diego, California

Typically I will not post a mural to my Encircle Photos website unless I can learn details about it and the artist. However, this art on the corners of West Beech and Front Streets in downtown San Diego is a rare exception. I was very impressed with the caliber of this American flag and bald eagle.

West Beech Street & Front Street, San Diego, CA
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Grays Off the San Francisco Coast Mural by Wyland in San Francisco, California - Encircle Photos

14 Grays Off the San Francisco Coast Mural by Wyland in San Francisco, California

This mural called “Grays Off the San Francisco Coast” was painted on the side of Pier 39 in 1994 and dedicated on the same day as another Robert Wyland mural across Embarcadero. It is a tribute to the critically endangered gray whales that swim along the Pacific Coast during their annual migration from Alaska to the Baja California Sur.

Pier 39, Embarcadero & Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133
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North Beach Jazz Mural by Bill Weber in San Francisco, California - Encircle Photos

15 North Beach Jazz Mural by Bill Weber in San Francisco, California

This outstanding 30 by 50 foot mural called “Jazz” was painted in 1987 by an accomplished Bay Area artist named Bill Weber. It covers two sides of a three-story building on the corners of Columbus and Broadway in the North Beach neighborhood. Featured are three musical legends: Teddy Wilson on the piano, Gene Krupa playing the drums and Benny Goodman with his signature clarinet.

606 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
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Spyhopping Gray Whale Mural by Wyland in San Francisco, California - Encircle Photos

16 Spyhopping Gray Whale Mural by Wyland in San Francisco, California

This mural of two gray whales by Robert Wyland, the famous marine artist, is number 60 in his series of 100 life-size Whaling Walls. It shows an adult female and her calf “spyhopping” which means the mammal maintains its head above water for up to several minutes. The artwork is located across from Pier 39 on Embarcadero. It was dedicated on September 5, 1994.

1789 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133
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Summerlove Mural by Amanda Lynn in San Francisco, California - Encircle Photos

17 Summerlove Mural by Amanda Lynn in San Francisco, California

The summer of 1967 was called the “Summer of Love” when the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was the epicenter for counterculture musicians such as the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Crosby Stills and Nash plus the Jefferson Airplane. Muralist Amanda Lynn painted this flowerchild tribute to that era on the side of Jimi Hendrix’s former house. It is appropriately called “Summerlove.”

1524 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
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Smiling Male Caricature Mural by Jessevale at University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado - Encircle Photos

18 Smiling Male Caricature Mural by Jessevale at University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado

Near the corner of 15th and Broadway is an entrance to the University of Colorado in Boulder. There you will find this smiling caricature wearing a gold T-shirt, one of the school’s colors. Perhaps it represents one of the fraternity boys who live nearby. The artist’s name is Jessevale.

15th St. & Broadway, Boulder, CO 80309
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Little Girl Spreads Lips to Show Teeth at Chalk Art Festival in Denver, Colorado - Encircle Photos

19 Little Girl Spreads Lips to Show Teeth at Chalk Art Festival in Denver, Colorado

During one weekend each summer, the streets of Larimer Square in Denver, Colorado, became a canvas for talented artists during the annual Chalk Art Festival. Onlookers crowd around the sidewalks to watch as the colorful art comes alive with one piece of chalk at a time. This mural was in progress at the time of the photo. The completed illustration by artist Naomi Haverland went on to win “Best Use of Color” in 2012. Her sponsor was Frank’s Greenhouse.

1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
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Man Smoking Cigarette Mural Resembles Old James Dean in Denver, Colorado - Encircle Photos

20 Man Smoking Cigarette Mural Resembles Old James Dean in Denver, Colorado

Look at James Dean photos from the early 1950s and you will usually see his rebellious good looks and waving hair with a cigarette dangling from his lip. Now imagine if he had not died in a car crash at 24 but had become middle-aged. He might have looked like this black and white wall mural in downtown Denver, Colorado. Unfortunately, like the legend, this mural is also gone forever.

314 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
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Teddy Roosevelt and Jack Dempsey Mural in Denver, Colorado - Encircle Photos

21 Teddy Roosevelt and Jack Dempsey Mural in Denver, Colorado

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company sponsored this wall mural in 2008 of an equestrian Teddy Roosevelt behind an American flag and beside Jack Dempsey in his iconic boxing pose. The street art is in a parking lot near the Denver Convention Center in Colorado. Across the legs of the World Heavyweight Champion from 1919 to 1926 is, “The Manassa Mauler.” This is a reference to his birthplace in Manassa, Colorado. It also recalls “The Fight of the Century” against Georges Carpentier in 1921. This famous bout generated the first one million dollar gate in boxing history. By the way, the delivery truck is real and not part of the artwork.

1437 California St, Denver, CO 80202
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Beach Chair and Umbrella Mural in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Encircle Photos

22 Beach Chair and Umbrella Mural in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In the summer of 2009, Mimi Botscheller, an instructor from the Art Institute of Florida, led a group of students to paint this colorful mural on particleboard along Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard. This beach chair and umbrella is a small detail of the 174 foot artwork designed by Alfonso Frontera. He was a participant in the class called Art in Public Spaces. This mural is now gone.

545 S Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
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Florida’s Living Reef Mural by Robert Wyland in Key West, Florida - Encircle Photos

23 Florida’s Living Reef Mural by Robert Wyland in Key West, Florida

I have always been a huge fan of Robert Wyland’s series of marine murals around the world. So I was excited to experience the “Florida’s Living Reef” in Key West. Number 52 out of 100, this enormous image featuring a stingray, hammerhead shark and coral was created at 201 William Street in 1993 and then repainted in 2012. His partner on this project was Guy Harvey. All of his outdoor art is donated by the Wyland Foundation.

201 William St, Key West, FL 33040
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Smiling Pig with Cigar Mural in Key West, Florida - Encircle Photos

24 Smiling Pig with Cigar Mural in Key West, Florida

This smiling pig sporting sunglasses and smoking a cigar is the logo for Charlie Mac’s, a restaurant on Southard Street in Key West. The wonderful aroma of smoked pork draws you in and the delicious barbeque sauce will linger in your memory for days. If you eat at an outdoor table, you will be accompanied by wild roosters in search of a handout. I am not sure if they are featured as their chicken wings. The eater is owned by former Philadelphia 76ers president Pat Croce.

404 Southard St, Key West, FL 33040
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Florida’s Marine Life Mural by Wyland in Miami, Florida - Encircle Photos

25 Florida’s Marine Life Mural by Wyland in Miami, Florida

There are 100 global murals in Robert Wyland’s Whaling Walls series. In Miami, this Florida’s Marine Life painting is located on the side of Marcy’s department store on East Flagler Street. Unfortunately, #78 is obstructed by a light train rail. The best view of these humpback whales is from the third floor of the Colonnade Parking garage.

22 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
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Giant Circus Mural at Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida - Encircle Photos

26 Giant Circus Mural at Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida

This mural called “The Greatest Show on Earth” brilliantly captures the iconic sights from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It was painted by William Woodward in 1989. In 2013, it was put on public display inside the lobby of the Tibbals Learning Center in the Circus Museum which is part of the Ringling Museum of Art. This 22 by 42 foot painting is filled with tigers, clowns, dancing elephants, trapeze artists and all the other acts that thrilled you as a kid when you sat under the big top.

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
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Viva Ybor Mural of Ybor City in Tampa, Florida - Encircle Photos

27 Viva Ybor Mural of Ybor City in Tampa, Florida

The distinguished looking gentleman in the upper right corner of this 2012 mural by Chico Garcia is Vincente Martinez Ybor. He was a 19th century entrepreneur who brought his talent for making fine cigars from Cuba to a historic neighborhood of Tampa now called Ybor City. His fair treatment of immigrant workers together with his keen entrepreneurial skills created a prosperous community. At the peak, his business manufactured hundreds of millions of cigars each year.

1907 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
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Spacewalk Mural at U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame by Alan Bean in Titusville, Florida - Encircle Photos

28 Spacewalk Mural at U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame by Alan Bean in Titusville, Florida

After Astronaut Alan Bean walked on the moon in late 1969 as part of Apollo 12, and later was the commander of the Skylab space station, he began painting his experiences like this spacewalk wall mural in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, called, “Reaching for the Stars.” Interestingly, while creating over 100 paintings, he includes a sprinkle of moon dust and pieces of the Apollo 12 spacecraft into each one and often uses his lunar boots as a paint brush.

6225 Vectorspace Blvd, Titusville, FL 32780
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Birds of Paradise Mural by Obregon in Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii - Encircle Photos

29 Birds of Paradise Mural by Obregon in Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

In 2004, Michelle Obregon designed this mural in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, called Birds of Paradise. This detail shows two Java Sparrows, an Alala crow and a flock of Nene Geese. This breed of goose is endemic to Hawaii and is the state bird. Eight other Hawaiian birds are beautifully illustrated in this mural but not shown in the photo. It is located on the side of the Hale Halawai Park building on Alii Drive. Ms. Obregon is a graphic arts teacher at Konawaeana High School.

75-5760 Alii Dr Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
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Earth Day Hawaii Mural by Wyland in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii - Encircle Photos

30 Earth Day Hawaii Mural by Wyland in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Robert Wyland is a famed marine artist, photographer, philanthropist and environmentalist. One of his homes is in Hawaii. So, it seems fitting that nine of his 100 Whaling Walls are in the state. This is #67, called Earth Day Hawaii. The painting features three humpback whales. It is located on the side of the Royal Aloha Condominiums on Ala Wai Boulevard. The artwork was painted by Pat Morita in 1995 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Earth Day.

1909 Ala Wai Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815
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Hawaiian Humpbacks Mural by Robert Wyland in Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii - Encircle Photos

31 Hawaiian Humpbacks Mural by Robert Wyland in Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii

Among his many accomplishments, Robert Wyland is a very prolific muralist. Number Six in his series of 100 Whaling Walls celebrates the Hawaiian Humpbacks. This is a detail of the artwork that is 235 feet wide and 151 feet high. The mural was originally painted in 1985. The giant artwork was recreated in 1999 at the Pacific Airport Center in Honolulu. Estimates suggest about 10,000 of these once endangered whales now winter around the Hawaiian Islands.

3049 Ualena Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Sideways Woman Mural by Sean Rone in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii - Encircle Photos

32 Sideways Woman Mural by Sean Rone in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Sean Rone is an extremely gifted wall muralist from Melbourne, Australia. He is best known for his large-scale portraits of beautiful women like this one from 2012 on the corners of Cooke and Auahi Streets. In addition to Australia and Hawaii, the work of this prolific artist can be seen in Miami, Queenstown, London, Berlin, New York, Hong Kong and several other cities around the world.

401 Cooke St, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Woman’s Face Mural by Hader and Rone in Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii - Encircle Photos

33 Woman’s Face Mural by Hader and Rone in Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii

POW! WOW! is an annual art festival in Honolulu. The organizers bring together about 100 talented mural artists from around the world to adorn the walls of the Kaka’ako industrial district into a fabulous outdoor gallery. A beautiful example is this woman’s face on the corners of Cooke and Pohukaina Streets. It was a collaborative effort in 2013. One artist was Sean Rone from Melbourne. He specializes in painting gorgeous images of women on a large scale across the world. The other muralist and local festival event organizer was Hawaiian artist Kamea Hader. Reportedly, the image is Kamea’s partner Shanna.

501 Cooke St, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Red Demon Detail of ChiTown Mural by Gajin Fujita in Chicago, Illinois - Encircle Photos

34 Red Demon Detail of ChiTown Mural by Gajin Fujita in Chicago, Illinois

The Grand Avenue viaduct under Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, has a long wall mural by Japanese American artist, Gajin Fujita. The “ChiTown” consists of bold images like this demon and also gentle Japanese ones amongst a backdrop of simulated graffiti. It was painted in 2012 as part of the BIGart project at Navy Pier that sponsors outdoor art and sculpture, some of which are by renowned artists. Fujita is a graffiti artist from Los Angeles.

530 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
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Woman Wearing Chicago Baseball Cap Mural by Mark McMahon in Chicago, Illinois - Encircle Photos

35 Woman Wearing Chicago Baseball Cap Mural by Mark McMahon in Chicago, Illinois

On the corner of South Federal Street and Van Buren Street is a series of paintings on ceramic tiles that portrays images of Chicago, like this woman wearing a yellow baseball cap alongside the Crain Communications Building. The mural project by Mark McMahon is 125 feet long on the General Parking Corporation Building.

400 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60604
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City of Mills Mural by William Gustafson in Moline, Illinois - Encircle Photos

36 City of Mills Mural by William Gustafson in Moline, Illinois

This mural by William Gustafson is called “City of Mills.” The artwork celebrates the arrival of John Deere’s 11 year old blacksmith shop from Grand Detour to Moline in 1846. John Deere and John Gould are shown here in front of their Plough Factory just after Robert Tate became a partner. Deere & Company is still headquartered in Moline. They are one of the top 100 largest U.S. companies and employ nearly 56,000 people worldwide.

1509 3rd Avenue A, Moline, IL 61265
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Jacks Mural by Will Schlough in Indianapolis, Indiana - Encircle Photos

37 Jacks Mural by Will Schlough in Indianapolis, Indiana

In an alley parking lot behind the Indianapolis – Marion County Public Library is an untitled wall mural of gigantic playing jacks by Pittsburg artist Will Schlough. They were brightly painted on sheet metal and then bolted to the building wall. The art was sponsored by 46 for XLVI, a mural program of the Arts Council of Indianapolis designed to create 46 outdoor paintings by 35 artists.

923 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
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Orcas Passage Mural by Wyland in Indianapolis, Indiana - Encircle Photos

38 Orcas Passage Mural by Wyland in Indianapolis, Indiana

Wyland and his foundation spent 27 years completing the global project of 100, life-size wall murals of marine animals and aquatic life. Number 74 is called “Orcas Passage.” The painting is on the Indianapolis Public Schools building in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is a detail of the 153 foot by 35 foot mural.

120 E Walnut St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
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Medicine for the Soul Mural by Anna Sorey in Iowa City, Iowa - Encircle Photos

39 Medicine for the Soul Mural by Anna Sorey in Iowa City, Iowa

This lovely mural in downtown Iowa City near the University of Iowa campus is called “Medicine for the Soul.” The painting by Anna Sorey shows a simple town scene during two seasons: winter and summer. The bricks and stones are part of the mural but the door and staircase are real. The artwork was commissioned by Sandra Navalesi.

207 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240
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Jim Beam American Stillhouse Mural in Clermont, Kentucky - Encircle Photos

40 Jim Beam American Stillhouse Mural in Clermont, Kentucky

The Jim Beam seal is painted on the two-story visitor’s center and gift shop at their distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. This bourbon lovers’ attraction is called the Jim Beam American Stillhouse. It was fun to see where two of my best friends, Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, were born and raised. This is one of eight distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The brand was owned by Fortune Brands, Inc. In January, 2014, Japan’s Suntory Holding Company announced plans to acquire it for $13.6 billion.

526 Happy Hollow Rd, Clermont, KY 40110
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Latonia Racetrack Mural by Patricia Christopher Reiter in Covington, Kentucky - Encircle Photos

41 Latonia Racetrack Mural by Patricia Christopher Reiter in Covington, Kentucky

At the base of the John A. Roebling Bridge along the Ohio River in Covington, Kentucky, are the Roebling Murals. This is a wonderful series that literally paints pictures of the local history. An example is the “Latonia Racetrack” by Patricia and Christopher Reiter. The track opened in 1883. This mural depicts the “Hindoo Stakes” in 1921. During this famous race, a silent film was made called, “Winning the Latonia Derby.”

Madison Ave & Riverside Dr, Covington, KY 41011
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R J Corman Railway Locomotive Mural by Jennifer Zingg in Frankfort, Kentucky - Encircle Photos

42 R J Corman Railway Locomotive Mural by Jennifer Zingg in Frankfort, Kentucky

In 2012, a quarter-mile railroad trestle on Broadway in Frankfort, Kentucky, was converted into a giant wall mural by 24 elementary students from Good Shepherd School and their teacher, Jennifer Zingg. This train image detail was included at the request of R.J. Corman Railroad. The company was one of the project’s sponsors. They also own the bridge. Other sponsors were Sherwin-Williams and the Frankfort Tourism Commission.

410 W Broadway St, Frankfort, KY 40601
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Man Painting Butterfly Mural by David Schuster in Louisville, Kentucky - Encircle Photos

43 Man Painting Butterfly Mural by David Schuster in Louisville, Kentucky

While traveling for weeks at a time and taking thousands of pictures, my camera occasionally acts up or breaks down. Such was the case when I stopped into Chuck Rubin Photographics shop in Louisville, Kentucky. On the side of their building was this wall mural of a man painting a butterfly by David D. Schuster. Notice the cute image of Winnie the Pooh with his paw in the “Hunny” jar. I took this photo to test my repaired camera and then kept it because I liked the artwork.

1031 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
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Jester Holding Joker Playing Card Mural in New Orleans, Louisiana - Encircle Photos

Jester Holding Joker Playing Card Mural in New Orleans, Louisiana

This jester holding a joker is wearing the traditional motley-patterned costume of the court fool from the mid-16th century, better known as the Middle Ages. In New Orleans, the jester image is frequently seen during the Mari Gras, at the Harrah’s casino, a ride at Six Flags, in souvenir shops, as the name of a cocktail, a retailer and the New Orleans Jesters soccer team. Perhaps this wall mural attests to all the foolishness occurring in and around Bourbon Street.

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