Last week, on a sunny autumn afternoon, visual artist Jonathan Matas added further to the mural he’s creating for Lama G’s Café. A student at neighboring Nalanda West Center for American Buddhism, Matas has been hard at work on several commission in that area – trim on the windows at Art Of The Table and another mural for the newly relocated Oom Yung Doe martial arts school across the street.
The mural at Lama G’s has garnered a lot of neighborhood praise for the way it has brightened, and drawn positive attention to the area. This is what Matas hopes for his art. “I like doing work that can be taken in at just a drive by,” he admitted, “and then people can come by and hone in on the details – the surprise spots – even 10 years later.”
Matas pointed out details passing drivers, and cyclists, could miss. He’s included foliage on the mural, and a tree, painted using real leaves and branches as stencils. The hand outlines also belong to Matas, or friendly passer-by.
The Café commissioned the art, but the design came from Matas, who has painted the piece freestyle. “It’s all completely spontaneous,” he explained, and done 99% with spray paint.
When he worked on November 1st, he couldn’t specify what he would get done. “Some elements I know I need to do,” he said, such as finishing the eyes on one of the figures, “and some areas I still have to decide.”
To find out what he’s added, stop by Lama G’s and take a close look!