Orca - "Maximilian"

"Maximilian" is another of the Orcas in the City from the Victoria project. It's situated on the Lower Causeway on the downtown Victoria waterfront (or at least that's where I photographed it last summer). Artists of what looks like a cut-glass mosaic overlay are Sara Gifford, Jan Van Sickle and Michael Hofmann.

Orcas project

Last summer in our travels around Victoria we sighted several Orcas from the Orcas in the City project. Below is one of these fun, statues. Though they all start out looking the same, each ends up with a unique personality.

"VictoriOrca" by Peter Karas & Corinne Garlick

Ethnic food comes alive

Mural on the wall of Kostas Greek Restaurant - Langley, B.C.

Enjoy your pita, tzatziki, spanokapita, souvlaki and calamari against the backdrop of a Greek villa. 

Picturesque bird

Over the last few years the Vancouver area has hosted several 'critters' in the city projects. The first one was Orcas In the City. The next was Spirit Bears in the City. The latest project is Eagles In the City. Here is one of those eagles, currently on display at the Fraser Valley Regional Library Langley city branch, where you will find me often, borrowing or returning books.

"Reflective Flight" was painted by Betty Powell and Marlene Harker

The purpose of these projects is to showcase local artists, encourage tourism, and  raise money for the Easter Seal Houses, which provide services to children with disabilities around the province

Small and mysterious

Okay, though it wouldn't be classified a mural, this painting on the side of a truck I passed one day had me puzzled. Is it a kind of "You can do it!" message to the rig, or a testimonial of what the vehicle it has already been through?

Sneak a peek at paradise

This long skinny mural transforms the wall beside a doorway into an idyllic vista. (Also in White Rock BC).

Two grand dames

Seen from the beachfront walk at White Rock Beach, B.C.

Nature's icons

"Natural BC" by Jennifer Lee.

This stylized landscape is found on one of the washroom / utility buildings along the sea walk in White Rock, BC.

Alice on Crescent Beach

You'll find this sweet birthday greeting on a wall along the beach walk at Crescent Beach. (Obviously the taggers have found it too *sigh.*) Click to enlarge.

Powder keg

Not sure who is the victor here -  the buck or the powder keg. But the colors are nice in this, another Kamloops BC street capture.

Tool fantasy

Kamloops BC is the home of this bright composition.

Eatery scenery

Water and sky brighten the walls of this Vancouver eatery.

All that jazz

This fabulous mural is on the wall of a coffee shop just down the street from me. I just love it!

Beach tapas

This mural gives even those guests seated by the wall a view on the patio of a little tapas restaurant - in White Rock.

Ethnic ambience

If you do any amount of eating out, you're sure to find restaurants where murals are part of the decor. This beautiful 3-D mural graced the wall of a Chinese restaurant we visited last December.

 

Christmas mural extravaganza!

(The post below was first published here in December 2006. See the update below the original article for working links to Mr. Hetland's murals.)

You have never seen Christmas murals like those David J. Hetland of Concordia College (Moorhead Minnesota)! Each mural was the backdrop of the annual Christmas concert at the college and reflected that year’s theme. Designed by Mr. Hetland, the murals were painted by volunteers under his supervision and were later recycled.

Some themes and related murals:

"O Come All Ye Faithful"

"Shout Glad Tidings"

"Let Heaven and Nature Sing"

(More here. When you click on the link under the thumbnail of each mural, you get a sense of scale – of how large and grand these paintings are when viewed with the choir and orchestra.)

David J. Hetland was a nationally-recognized designer known for his liturgical works in mosaic and stained glass. He died in April this year (2006).

**************

11-20-09 Update

It seems that the David Hetland website is no longer working, thus the many stale links above. There are other places online that have thumbnails of Mr. Hetland's murals. Here is a short video of him, talking about his role in the mural projects along with a mural slide show. 

***************

Bonus: 

One of David J. Hetland's last projects was the creation of a set of stained glass windows for St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota. See the stunning images here.

Oldies

Music on the move

Awaiting metamorphosis?

Illusory houses on the hill