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Sometimes Water Keeps You Grounded
Sydney James's mural, Sometimes Water Keeps You Grounded, masterfully blends realism, abstraction, and playful illustration to create a dynamic and immersive composition. At the heart of the piece is a realistic portrait of a young child, placed prominently on the left side. The child’s detailed face serves as the primary focal point, drawing viewers in with its lifelike qualities. This portrait is balanced by a vibrant, abstract background on the right, featuring stylized, colorful elements that contrast with the realism of the child. This asymmetrical arrangement creates a harmonious composition, with the figure and background engaging in a dynamic visual dialogue. The color palette plays a crucial role in establishing the mural’s mood and tone. The warm tones of the child's red shirt contrasts with the cooler blues, purples, and greens in the background. This combination of warm and cool colors evokes a sense of vitality and calmness, suggesting themes of grounding and fluidity. The playful, cartoonish design on the shirt, with its bold blues and pinks, adds an element of whimsy that further enriches the narrative and visual interest. James uses a variety of lines to add depth and movement to the mural. Curved, organic lines dominate the child's face, creating a natural, lifelike quality, while thicker, straight lines appear throughout the composition to establish structure and flow. The illustration on the shirt features bold, smooth lines typical of cartoons, providing a playful contrast to the realism of the portrait. This interplay between soft, flowing lines and sharper, defined edges adds complexity and keeps the composition dynamic. The murals texture enhances its visual impact with the soft shading of the child's face contrasting against the flatter graphic design of the shirt and the shimmering, almost glass-like background. The thoughtful use of space further contributes to the mural's depth, with the child in the foreground and the background elements receding, creating a layered immersive experience. Overall, the mural is a vibrant exploration of identity, imagination, and expression. -
Northern Fauna
Oñate’s mural titled The Northern Fauna is a 92 feet long mural, located upon the wall of the Northwest Packaging Inc. building on University Ave, in Saint Paul MN. The mural is very well balanced as both the colors and characters are well and evenly dispersed throughout. The characters include fish, birds, a baby deer and a goose with a crown in the center of the mural. Thus, the viewer's eyes are not drawn to one particular area of the piece and is instead inclined to let their eyes travel across, thus examining every part of the mural. The wide variety of colors as well as animals depicted provide a vibrant and almost fantastical scene. The curvature and various sizes of the lines add to this effect. Making the individual parts of the mural flow in unison, while at the same time letting the individual characters stand out from their respective background and peek through their respective leafy foreground providing a three dimensional effect of sorts. -
Portrait of Bell Hooks
The mural is arranged with the portrait of the Bell Hooks as the main focus, placed on the left side. The bright colors and text on the right balance the weight of the portrait, making the mural feel complete even though it’s not symmetrical. The orange outline around the portrait helps draw attention to her and keeps your eyes focused on her face. The elements work together to make her the center of attention, showing how important her presence is.
The colors in the mural contrast a lot. The portrait is in black and white, which makes it feel serious and timeless, while the bright orange, pink, and blue give it energy and life. The orange outline makes her stand out and feel powerful, while the blue and gray clouds add a calmer, peaceful tone. This mix of bright and neutral colors creates an inspiring and thoughtful mood.
The mural uses different types of lines to create a balance between calmness and energy. The curved lines in the portrait make it feel soft and realistic, showing hooks as approachable and human. On the other hand, the sharp, straight lines coming out from the portrait add movement and energy, almost like they’re symbolizing how far her influence spreads. The mix of thick and thin lines keeps the mural visually interesting.
The mural’s surface looks smooth but still has visible intricate details, especially in the portrait, which makes it feel more personal and handmade. The flat, bold colors in the background contrast with the detailed texture of the portrait, creating a sense of depth. The texture makes the mural feel more real and encourages you to look closer.
The artist uses space to create depth in the mural. The portrait feels like it’s in the foreground, making it the most important part. Behind it, the colorful shapes and clouds create layers, giving the mural dimension and making it feel more dynamic. This layering effect makes it feel like Hooks’ influence stretches far beyond just the image of her face. -
Bird Enterprise Zone
Bird Enterprise Zone features two birds prominently displayed against a vibrant, patterned background. Both sides of the mural offer subtle differences in the birds' appearances and the background. The birds, painted in tan, brown, and white, contrast against the colorful backdrop, making them the main focal point. Their slightly varied hairstyles and designs distinguish the birds from one another. They are painted in a cartoon style, and they appear to be dancing or jumping. The background made of straight zigzag lines of varying thickness is visually striking but does not overwhelming the birds. Despite the 2D aesthetic the birds are clearly in the foreground creating depth in the mural. -
Beneath the Reef
This mural is painted by Joy Spika. On the bottom right side, there is a depiction of a colorful sitting mermaid, with a bright golden aura above her head. On the bottom left side there are many different forms of sea plants and corrals of all different colors. On the top, there are numerous bubbles that are moving upward. The bubbles are of all different colors and appear to be rising out of the hand of the mermaid. All of the bubbles are different sized, with some being closer to give depth, and some are smaller to appear as if they are more in the background coming out of her hand. More depth is also shown in the coral, with smaller plants in the back and the ones closer that are larger. The entire background is painted blue to give the effect that this mural is underwater and takes place on the seafloor. The mural is painted in many bright greens, blues, oranges and reds, that help to give the effect of bright underwater corals and mermaids. It also gives off a very positive mood to the mural. The mermaid is the largest image on the wall which draws the most attention. However, the group of plants that are also close in size to the mermaid, and the colorful bubbles on the blue wall, also draw your attention. Many curved black lines help to outline the mermaid and sea plants to help give a shadowing effect, which creates an illusion of 3D art. While all of the images are spray painted flat on the wall, the realistic patterns, with fine detailed lines in the coral and plants, appear as if the objects do have real texture popping out of the wall that you can feel. All of the images work together to create the underwater environment. -
Unci Maka
Composition: The mural features a balanced and symmetrical composition extending across a large exterior wall. Key focal points include the quilt star-like motif and the text “UNCI MAKA,” positioned centrally within the mural. The arrangement of the sunflowers, flowers, and flying creatures creates harmony and directs the viewer's eye along the length of the mural.
Color: The color palette of the mural consists of light blue as the background, contrasting with yellow for the sunflowers, red and orange for the quilt star motif, and purple-pink for the cone flowers. The use of color highlights key elements and directs the viewer’s attention toward the text and central quilt star motif.
Line: The mural includes a variety of line types, from thick outlines that define the primary shapes (such as the flowers, star, and insects) to the curves in the petals and bees’ wings. Curved lines dominate, giving the mural a sense of movement and flow. The straight lines in the text contrast with the rounded, organic forms, providing balance and structure. This contrast between straight and curved lines emphasizes the text, separating it from the surrounding elements.
Texture: The mural is painted on a rough wall, but the painted forms use smooth, solid color fills with consistent line work. The contrast between the wall’s physical texture and the visual appearance of the paint creates a dynamic effect. The physical texture of the wall connects the mural to its setting, interacting with natural light and changing its appearance based on the time of day.
Space: The mural uses a clear spatial arrangement, with flowers, text, and the star in the middle ground. Foreground elements include the larger flowers, like the sunflowers and cone flowers. The background is composed mainly of the blue sky and white clouds, establishing a sense of depth. The perspective remains flat, with elements on a single plane, maintaining focus on each object. Overlapping elements, such as the flowers, bees, and butterflies, create a layered visual experience. -
Little Ancestors & Land Back
“Little Ancestors” depicts two Indigenous female characters, one is wearing a hat, along with mushrooms, the sun, and a mountain, all smiling. They are in a nature scene with a river, trees, and the blue sky. It uses natural colors including blues, reds, and greens. They are bright in color, but remain something you would find in nature. The two human characters are placed in the foreground to emphasize their presence. The characters depict two native women. The texture is very smooth with only a little texture found on the trees. Otherwise, it would be smooth to the touch. The mural is drawn in a style known as kawaii. Kawaii is a Japanese artistic and cultural style that emphasizes the quality of cuteness using bright colors and characters with a childlike appearance. “Land Back” depicts fruit (strawberries, grapes, blueberries) and animals (a hummingbird and a frog) as its characters. They are all smiling. This mural uses bright pastel colors that are not natural including pink, blue, green, and purple. The title “Land Back” is drawn in bubble letters and centered on the wall which works to draw your attention immediately to the wording. The mural includes different colors of hearts, clouds, and sparkles in the background. This mural has little texture. Everything is very smooth besides the seeds drawn on the strawberries. -
Allora
The mural’s composition is geometric and abstract, featuring a balanced arrangement of shapes across the wall. Triangles, rectangles, and circles create a sense of movement as they guide the viewer’s eye around the piece. The balance is achieved through symmetry in some parts, with the repetition of lines and shapes, while asymmetry in other areas adds dynamic interest. The mural lacks a distinct central focal point, inviting viewers to explore each section individually rather than directing them to a single area. The artist uses a soft yet contrasting color palette, combining light pastels with deep blues and whites. The tones of peach and aqua are set against a darker navy, creating both harmony and visual tension. This choice of colors softens the geometric shapes, giving the mural a playful and calming tone despite its bold forms. The overall mood is modern and uplifting, with the palette bringing warmth to the building’s otherwise industrial feel. Lines in the mural are mostly straight and bold, emphasizing the geometric quality of the composition. Thick diagonal and horizontal lines create structure, while thinner lines within shapes add subtle complexity. The lines guide the viewer’s gaze diagonally across the mural, creating a sense of movement and energy. The boldness of the lines contributes to the strength and clarity of the design. Although painted on a smooth wall, the mural’s texture is influenced by the brick surface beneath it. The brick pattern adds a tactile quality, as the paint sits on each brick individually, making the mural appear textured despite its flat forms. This interplay between the mural and the underlying bricks enriches the visual experience, as light and shadow change slightly with the wall’s surface irregularities. The mural lacks a traditional sense of depth, as all shapes and colors are on a single plane without a clear foreground, middle ground, or background. Instead, the artist creates spatial interest by layering shapes of varying sizes. Overlapping triangles and rectangles give a subtle illusion of depth, while the use of contrasting colors helps to distinguish each element, making them appear closer or farther from the viewer. The artist’s approach to space is more abstract, focusing on flatness and pattern rather than realistic depth, which suits the mural’s contemporary aesthetic. -
The Air at Night
Composition:The mural’s composition is centered around a primary figure, a tall male serving as the focal point and surrounded by dynamic elements (kids, animals) contributing to a balanced visual experience. The arrangement creates a flow, guiding the viewer's eye from the central figure outward toward supporting elements that add layers to the narrative. This balance and arrangement help maintain symmetry, giving the mural a sense of unity even as it portrays complex themes. The focal points and layout harmonize to create an engaging visual story with many different subjects.
Color:Fadlabi’s uses of vibrant, bold colors like rich blues, reds, and yellows establishes a lively and intense mood, emphasizing the mural’s energetic tone. The warm and cool tones interact to create emotional depth, where the contrasting hues convey passion, urgency, and a sense of revolution. These vivid colors draw attention, resonating with the theme of resilience and cultural identity, while also enhancing the mural’s visual impact on its surroundings.
Line:The mural incorporates both straight and curved lines, with varied thicknesses to add complexity and flow to the composition. Thick, defined lines emphasize the central figure and major elements, creating structure and grounding the artwork, while thinner, more fluid lines add a sense of movement and life. This combination of line types creates an intricate, layered experience, guiding the viewer’s gaze and enhancing the mural's dynamic quality.
Texture:The mural has a visually rich texture, achieved through layering and detailed brushwork, which creates depth and tactile appeal. This texture invites viewers to look closer, adding to the mural's storytelling dimension by suggesting complexity beneath the surface. The texture enhances the overall sensory experience, making the mural not only visually engaging but also evocative of the themes and emotions it represents.
Space:Fadlabi uses space thoughtfully, with a clear foreground and background that lend depth to the mural. The central figure occupies the foreground, capturing immediate attention, while the middle ground and background provide context and dimension. By creating layers within the space, Fadlabi allows the mural to feel immersive, enveloping viewers and inviting them into the story conveyed by the artwork. This use of spatial depth reinforces the mural’s impact as an expansive, engaging narrative.
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UBUNTU
Jordan Hamilton is a Twin Cities based artist that created the piece titled, Ubuntu (I am because we are). Hamilton created this piece in 2024 and it is located on 928 Raymond Ave. in St. Paul Minnesota. Hamilton uses his ancestry in his work to create a sense of community. This mural consists of Adinka, Nkonsonkonson, and Nkyinkim symbols that bring a part of history into today’s world to make a change within the community. These symbols together really help add to the value of the Chromazone area, by trying to bring people together and build the community.
In this mural, we can see two large symbols that are then surrounded by several other smaller symbols as well. In between the two large symbols, you can also see the title which is also important to the message of the mural. The large symbols in the center draw the attention of the audience especially because they use the more detailed images inside rather than the smaller symbols using just lines. Once the audience sees the two larger symbols, they can continue to go around the edges of the mural to find more symbols with different meanings. Each symbol is different in shape, size, and color. While looking at the mural and focusing on the 2 pieces in the middle, you can see that they are in the shape of a doorway and then contain a symbol in each doorway. On the left piece, you see an image that looks like some sort of maze or path that leads to 4 different tunnels at the end of it. On the right you can see a symbol that looks similar to a chain link that also contains images on the inside and above it.
The background of this mural is brown while almost all the symbols are created with dark colors around the outsides that help create a contrast between the pieces. The two large pieces in the middle of the mural use the most color. The one on the right includes many different colors that just bring a lot of attention to that part of the mural. You can also see on the inside of the symbol that there is a pyramid like shape with a similar color to the brick background. Above the symbol you can also see the earth which is tying different parts of the world together into one piece. The one on the left starts out with a darker color on top and fades to a lighter color towards the bottom, switching between a green, yellow, and orangish color. Most of the smaller symbols on the outside and in between the two large images, are created with black lines and a little bit of filler using a lighter color. The darker colors on the mural just make the symbols pop out from the wall in order to catch the audience’s attention. The darker color may lead to a darker mood but once you understand the messages that they are portraying, it is much easier to understand. The darker colors just help create the detail of each image.
Once again, the mural contains several different black lines that are quite thick and rounded. The thick black lines help draw the attention to what is located in between those lines as well as creating detail within each image. The black line is also used to create a contrast to really highlight the spots that color is being used. The lines around the outside of the two large images in the middle contain the thickest black line, which is used to create a frame of the symbols that are located on the inside. The smaller symbols still use thick black lines that also create contrast with the background of the wall. This helps add to the importance of the symbols. Although they are smaller, they are still full of meaning and are important to the mural overall.
Hamilton seems to use a smooth texture that almost makes the piece look like it is popping out at its audience. You would think that the wall being brick would create a rough texture that would break the piece up and make it harder to read but the way that Hamilton has created the piece he draws the eye away from the brick and makes you focus on the images that are there. For the smaller symbols that use a lighter color, the brick is quite visible but still does not destroy the messages that are being portrayed. On the left image, the color is fading from top to bottom which creates an implied texture, making the audience follow the piece to read the entire symbol. The image on the right contains some rings around it that is creating another implied texture that gives the symbol a sense of movement, bringing the mural more alive. Hamilton seems to use the brick to help bring a sense of realism into the mural. Having the brick wall, it helps add texture to the piece to create an authentic finish to the mural.
In this mural, the background is a brown color and then the color of the symbols are a dark contrasting color that end up making the foreground pop out more and become extremely visible to the audience. The symbols are also all in their own space and are spread out, which makes them easy to read, keeping their messages separate from each other but still adding to one another. The two largest symbols are front and center and much larger than all the other symbols around them. This leads the audience to believe that these symbols are the most important and the message that they are trying to portray is highly valued by Hamilton. Hamilton wants the community to build together, and every one of these symbols is a great message of exactly that.