By Brenda Beust Smith
(Updating an earlier article in the Beach Triton)
At least one new, delightful mural — a wonderfully whimsical mermaid by Oklahoma artist Fallon Guinn (insert above) — has been added to the already impressive array of decorative wall scenes that can be easily seen from the street all the way up and down the Peninsula. Now that we have the Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation’s wonderful Gallery By The Gulf (http://bolivarfoundation.com/gallery/), wouldn’t it be fun to have a “Drive-Around Mural Tour” list of these “wall art” creations? We’re off to a good start. Easily-viewed-from-streets wall murals are popping up all along the Jane Long Highway and adjacent areas, including:
#1 Fallon Guinn’s mermaid is actually the concept of homeowners Trish Smith & Edith Smith on Westview. As you drive into Emerald 2 (across from waterslide), at the stop sign, look right. You can’t miss her.
(Fallon’s email: [email protected])
#2 Captain Gem’s delightful two-sided panel on Palm View and Yucca Dr.
#3 Vista Drive (left above, near Westview) – fun beach chair scene on garage door.
#4 2006 Idyleview at Gulfway – fabulous brown pelicans winding their way around the house..
(Personal note: Cent painted whimiscal brown pelicans on our circa 1974 beachhouse several years before Ike swept the foundation clean. Loved them so much, when we decided to rebuild, I immediately called Cent and ask if she’d bring them back too. Husband warned first we’d better let her see how much higher this home would be than our previous one. Cent took one look at the new 15+/-foot height and said, “Where are we going to find a scaffold that high?” Definitely one Gulf Coast-tough artist!
#5 I couldn’t find out who created that delightful oval mural just east of Crystal Beach Road, next to the Tiki Man’s “shop.” Hope it gets incorporated into any new business there.
#6 Speaking of preserving a treasure, thanks to the folks at Bamboo Bar, who retained the wonderful creations of artist Bettine Godwin for the previous occupant, Coconuts Bar & Grill.
#7 Wonderful delights from artist. Check out artist Bar Scott’s fun fisherman scene on Capt’N Jack’s trailer on Jane Long Highway at Seagull in Gilchrist.
#8 Heading down Seagull toward the canal, note this trailer’s water & sky decor. Ike made it a little worse for wear, but before, when the light was just right, it practically disappeared into the water scene beyond.
#9 Biggest and most imposing of all, of all, of course, is High Island artist Katelin Kochan’s winning artwork now draws eyes to the Bolivar water tank. (on on Jane Long Highway between Gilchrist and Crystal Beach)
#10 RIP: Thanks to Ike, I guess, one of my most favorite murals of all, a floral delight started but never completed by artist Bar Scott, was this wonderful fence mural on Seagull, right behind Capt’N Jack’s and the “water & sky” trailerhouse. Curving over that big purple flower are the words “Paradise Lost.”
Local artist Patty Hagstrom added this colorful sea life mural to the side of her house last year. It can be seen from the beach in front of Copa Cabana Subdivision (just east of Stingaree Drive). You can see all of Patty’s art on http://www.hagstromcollection.com/
Know of any other great wall murals that can be seen from the road? Email pictures and locations to [email protected].
Posted in 
Thank you for showcasing one of my many murals in Christal Beach!!!
I have been painting every day!! I’ll be traveling to Rockport for the ACM Show these few months with a large collection of costal fine art and outdoor colorful signs. BettineGodwin.square.site DM if you are dreaming of a beautiful mural. Did you know…One of my last murals I painted is in Barcelona, Spain? Next month I’ll be traveling to Minneapolis to paint a mural in the downtown area.
Thank you again
Bettine
(comment from the author)
Barbara, sorry just seeing this. Hate to sound so stupid, but took me a while to realize I had to click on “Murals” under “Recent headlines” to get to the story — sorry about this!
So good to hear from you, but I don’t think anywhere in the story your name was mentioned? If it was, I’m having another senior moment!
Why don’t you email me directly at [email protected]
Be glad to run a retraction/correction if I’ve mislabeled somewhere. I already, I see, owe an apology to Dar (not Bar) Scott (SORRY, DAR!)
Hope to hear from you. Brenda
Love to see these murals all over Bolivar. Just to clarify, the murals in Gilchrist are by Dar Scott, all done after Hurricane Ike!!
Computer “messed up” Can’t be me!
God bye!
Please respond…. did you receive my comment????
Barbara Prenger
Too complicated for me!!!
I sent a comment…. Did you receive it?
WOW! I am so sorry I did not think of doing THAT on the side of our house in Port Bolivar before we moved! Keep it up all of you….So many things that we miss about The Peninsula but no hurricanes up here and we do have family nearby…. Tho I,personally, miss my daughter Joann Bouse and her sweet and fine husband, Sid of Coastal Surveying…
To those that know me… I am teaching a small painting class here in my home and singing in the Methodist Church Choir..
Blessings to all!
Barbara Prenger
Thanks for this wonderful reminder of delightful artistry. I have enjoyed viewing many of these offerings through the years.
Sincerely,
Linda C. Elissalde