Kevin's Mural Diary, city Murals, Newark New Jersey

My mural diary……………two weeks ago

The mural is progressing, it’s a big wall and it was very complicated to re-size the drawing to fit the wall. But it got done. I was constantly amazed at the number of people who are stopping to cheer me on from the neighborhood. I had several of the older guys tell me that they're watching the wall loving and protecting it. I was honored. Something interesting is happening with the truck drivers, and there are tons of them coming into the parking lot of Sims, tons as i put on the red and white and blue colors today, they waved, blew their horns or nodded. they along with the people of Hawkins street inspired me, this is what i was looking for. Without the interaction of the people who live and work near this wall, without their consent....................it’s just a empty drawing. They supply the life, the inspiration and the energy

it’s a dead wall when we start out doing these paintings in places where we don't live. That is Until we get the people's consent, then the wall becomes alive.......then the wall belongs.

 

last week………….Here are pictures taken on Saturday.

Part of My international team
Omar  ( Born in Puerto Rico) in white , Guillerme (Brazilian) in Blue (who is a student at Hawkins st school, ) and Cesar( Columbian-Peruvian), in gray hood. I have worked with these kids and young adults for a while. I actually taught Guillerme  at the after school program and i am currently working with him helping him to prepare his portfolio so that the can get into Arts High school. He is a gifted young aspiring artist.

Omar rides down on his bike or walks every day from the other side of Newark, the wild side of Newark, he  has worked with me on the Hawkins street mural and has been around every since.  I am working towards getting him into a college in the near future.

Gullerme, Hawkins street youth, working with him on Portfolio to get into Arts High school

Omar

Jesus is Puerto Rican and Guatemalan, he is Omar's cut buddy and Partner,also from the Broadway area of Newark. He is full of life and talk, Jesus also helped on the Hawkins street Mural.

 

Omar, James,Jesus

Cesar

Cesar, just graduated from the arts institute of New York,  for graphic design. I consider Cesar's parents to be some of my best friends. His father Mario and i conspired for the past few years to get him into college and to keep him there. His parents both naturalized citizens, from Columbia and Peru worked along side me to keep this kid focused and in school.................I helped him with his home work, and will continue to steer him towards the wonderful world of art.
Cesar was a wonderful achievement for his parents, they are incredible supportive and proud.  he is talented, well mannered and one of the students that I will always consider to be one of my greatest success stories.

Cesar

Richard and my Daughter Lauren who are getting Married this Friday

My partner and son in law Richard, who is indispensable, he is my Forman and my friend. Rich has a wonderful sense of order, he does the actually figuring out of what goes on the wall. He paints really well and Knows so much some times I am stunned. Rich is marrying my daughter this Friday, Oct. 8. So you can imagine what it has been like for him working on this mural and planning his wedding. Rich is a native of Staten Island, although he now lives with my daughter in their home in South Orange. He is of Italian and Cuban Extraction. He worked for with the Central Park Conservancy, for three years until NY Budget cuts, Is a graduate of F.I.T for Fine art and Restoration. Can fix, just about any thing. Then their is my daughter Lauren, who is the Annual Funds Manager at the Cooper Union In New York, she is my triumph.

James

Last but not Least James Who is Black and Puerto Rican……..or skateboard, he is known, James is one of new arks first Skateboarders.He has lived in Egypt and often goes to Dubai to visit his mother and siblings, they are devout Muslims.

I raised James as my own, he is from 1st ave, a graduate of the fashion Institute of Tech, Multi talented. As well as being one of the finest young painters around.

Why do i mention the race of the artist involved, because my team is a reflection of the changing face of America. It is a tribute to art and working together and community i am very proud of its diversity.

I taught many of these young artist for at least three years, and some for over 10. They come from all kinds of backgrounds, but each one is as important as the next. Its important for those not in college to be with those who have gone through it. Its ok, to do a program that helps today, my my focus has always been on sustainable mentoring it works.

Its finished…………….I will put the credits in the blue area below the frame.

I

 

 

 

Today…………………..Well Its done.

And it was a extraordinary experience that I greatly enjoyed. This was truly a community Mural.
On a daily basis people would stop by to offer encouragement and advice. This is one gentleman from Liberia, who was actually a artist, that came by daily to eat his lunch with me, He would discuss the progress and offer advice about the things that he thought would make the mural more successful. I enjoyed his advice and company.
Their were tons of kids and people that i knew from the neighborhood, who would shout encouragement on a daily basis. Most of the cops that came through the site towards the end would either flash their lights or the sirens. And I got more thumbs up from all of those wonderful truckers every single day.
But today was special, the scaffolding came down. At many points through the day the mural caused a traffic jams of hooking horns and people stopping by to chat.
But one of the most moving times today, was when a group of men from South America walked past.
at first their was about then of them, they left shortly and returned with another group from a job site close by.
The waved their fist in the air and shouted Azteca, several times before coming over to tell me how much the mural meant to Them,  They offer me beer (I don't drink) and then the told me that the mural was full of fire and they loved it.
What more can one ask for, yes this truly was a community mural, i salute the community, Sims and partners and most of all all of the young aspiring artist that helped me. This inst my mural, its their mural and that's what i wanted most of all..

I like it at night

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