It's time for another mural, specifically for the 22nd Street Art Contest by CCC, and though it may seem like I'm running out of murals, there is always one of the other popping up where I come cross them. That's how it happened, as I was walking unsuspectingly through the Colonia Escandón, a neighborhood not too far from where I live in Mexico City. The exact location is a small alleyway called 4a. Cerrada de José María Vigil, close the the corner of the street with the same name José María Vigil.
Paintbrush Instead Of Spray Can
Since my definition of a mural is simply a wall painting, I don't care what technique an image has been created with. While you'd expect the expert muralists to use cans of spray paint, the image I want to present today was clearly painted in a more traditional way... using paintbrushes. At least that's my own layman's guess, looking at this picture.
The image is quite a nice one: It shows a hand with flowers growing all around it, and a hummingbird feeding on one flower being held by the hand. What adds a whole lot to this pretty picture is the white background, making the colors of the bird and the flowers shine even more brightly.
The Perfect Look for an Old Building
The other thing I really like about this piece of public wall art, is the fact that it's been painted on an old, dilapidated building. As you would expect, this city is full of houses that have clearly seen better days. (Whether they are still habitable depends on the definition of its residents and the authorities.) But the usual reaction these kind of old buildings elicit is basically to ignore them.
Not so with this one! Giving the outside walls a thick coat of white paint may seem like a waste, but it already makes the place more appealing. Now, adding the lovely image of plants, birds, and other forms of life will ultimately bring a smile to the faces of passersby. They will stop and admire the art, maybe without even noticing the state the house is in.
Unknown Artist
Once again, this piece of street art has no tag or signature of any artists. The only identifying mark is the grasshopper logo above the MH, on the sleeve of the arm, indicating that the painting was commissioned by the local district authorities. However, in this case even a websearch didn't get me anywhere.
If you liked this, check out my developing series on Mexican murals:
Winston Churchil and the Bike Movement
The Beauty of Death and the Struggle of Life
Different Types of Wall Painting
Political Expression, The Painting is on the Wall
A Familiar Face
Chilakillers: Murals, Chilaquiles, and More
Under Metro Line 4
Respected and Less Respected Paintings
Murals of the Barrio in Aguascalientes
Murals Under Periferico
A Cartoon With A Public Health Message
A Warrior Princess in Mazunte
New Images Covering Old Ones
Get to Know Your Local Cacti
A Mural for a Movie
Commercial Murals for Small Businesses
Not Much New in Almost a Year
Feminist Art on a Blue-Collar Business
High Above the City
Laboratory Work on the Cocoa
Elite Warriors in the Parque México
A Journey Through Rock-and-Roll, Contest Winners
Playing With Bugs on the Rooftop
La Familia Burrón in the Center
Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central
New Stairs Art in my Neighborhood
Painted Garage Doors
The Children of the Feathered Serpent
Four Sides to a Water Box
Skate On Forever
A Healing Mermaid Under Mexican Skies
Axolotl in the Parque Lira
Axolotls Wherever You Look
The Rapidly Changing Wall of the Casa Picnic
Illuminated Illumination
Tlaloc in His Element
Aztec Legends in Metro Tacubaya
All Your Favorite Mexican Motives
Worsening Situation for Women
The Kiss of Death
Honoring the Departed
The Flower of Life in a Face
A Less Appreciated Wall Painting
Funky Graphics in the Condesa
When Big Red Lips Start Growing on You
New Pictures on Old Walls
A Beast With a Mesmerizing Look
Beautiful Animals in the Roma
Horrific Animals in the Roma
A Poetic Message About Tremors
Sesame Street the Mexican Way (güey)
The Turtle Center in Mazunte
B-Side Murals in Mazunte
Beautiful Art in La Boquilla
Return of the (Pinche) Chinche
A Crow, A Fly, And A Shaded Barbarossa
More Exploding Hearts in Mazunte
A Frida Kahlo Mermaid
A Small Glimpse of Zipolite
One More Mural from Mazunte
Localvore Message at La Esperanza Store
Welcome to the New Normal
Frida Kahlo's Mask Adivsory
The Sacred Condiments
Love, Death, and Some Very Diverse Characters
A Flaming Child
Predator and Prey
Changing Murals on the Facade of the INBA
A Lonely Wall With a Lovely Face
Reclining in Tacubaya
Insect People in Cuauthémoc
More Insect People in Cuauthémoc
Lions on Regina
Three Cool Cats