Fe De Rico

One of my favorite things about Austin is its growing collection of murals, graffiti and wall art. There is a lot of variety around town, which I will probably come back to now and then.

One of my favorites is the growing set of wall paintings on various stores by Fe De Rico, who does murals like this one of Johnny Cash on the front of a bookstore near my office. I have liked Johnny Cash a lot ever since I heard "Ring of Fire" on a tinny AM radio a long time ago. This mural captures him, his inspirations and demons, vividly.

To quote a flickr series on Fe De Rico's work, "This is part of series of musical murals by local Austin artist Fe De Rico, aka Federico Archuleta, on the outside of Intellectual Property books on Guadalupe in Austin. Formerly Tower Records, the new owners invited Achuleta to revamp his old designs. The artist is now in great demand from businesses wanting his trademark 'graffiti western' style on their walls."
http://flickr.com/photos/19989237@N00/261534773/

Another personal favorite of mine by Fe De Rico is this one of Bob Dylan, on the alley side of the Hole in the Wall bar across from my building.
http://flickr.com/photos/19989237@N00/49037760/

When I was interviewing for my job at University of Texas, I noticed that one of my all time favorite country/rock/ tejano/blues musicians, Doug Sahm, was playing the Hole in the Wall soon. I thought that any town where Doug Sahm played 50 yards from my office might be my kind of place.

And as the loyal reader will remember, I am a pretty big Dylan fan, but I also agree wholeheartedly with the slightly ironic twist of this mural. Best not to take wee Bob too seriously.

And for one last sample of Fe De Rico, consider Our Lady on Guadalupe, his image of the Virgin Mary on the bookstore mentioned above, located--where else--on Guadalupe.
http://flickr.com/photos/19989237@N00/261534762/