YOU NEVER HAVE TO GO FAR IN THE MISSION TO FIND ART, which is where Miss Jo was headed for after-work drinks— a night topped off by a chance encounter with Mission artist Victor Reyes on a step ladder, expressively spray painting a graffiti mural on the blank masonry along the entire 23rd Street side of Walgreen’s @ Mission.
The evening had started with Miss Jo and friend Cherie of Art Beat Bay Area, @ Heart wine bar and gallery around the corner on Valencia.
Later, while calling it a night, Cherie spotted Victor who was gracious to stop, remove his air-filter mask and tell them a little bit about his creative process behind the paid project, which involves designing by hand and computer.
Unfortunately, time was short and Miss Jo had to dash to catch a ride with Jeff, who had a spaghetti dinner waiting at home.
Six days later, after a rainy week, she returned and photographed Reyes’ almost-completed mural, which was already pulling its weight on the Mission’s streetscape with its rich colors, depth and absorbing design. Miss Jo was swept up in its energy. She imagined waves. Piercing and playful eyes. Arms embracing, a young girl running, a parrot laughing and the bow of a viking ship.
To give an idea about how awesome it was to watch Victor paint, here’s a 2007 video grabbed off YouTube.
2 Comments
Reminds me of Mexico’s Diego Rivera and all his murals. Love those chance encounters, don’t you?
Wow, that’s no ordinary graffiti. So cool that you met him.