How Artist Dave Watkins Created Milwaukee’s Latest Mural

From the Article:

Milwaukee’s skyline has a new pop of color thanks to Dave Watkins, a local artist who was commissioned to paint a six-story abstract mural at River Place Lofts in Walker’s Point. The mural lies on the west side of Finishing House within River Place Lofts.

Developer Peter Moede commissioned the piece after seeing something similar on a trip to Florida and immediately thinking of Watkins’ murals under the bridge by the Milwaukee Public Market.

For the new mural, Watkins drew inspiration from the Menomonee River, Milwaukee’s skyline and Cream City brick in his sprawling abstract design. This is reflected in the mural’s vibrant blues, oranges and cream. Vertical lines nod at neighboring buildings and symbolize the ever-changing skyline.

Before painting, Watkins used his background in graphics and signage to mock up ideas in Photoshop. From there, he used the building itself as a reference for the design and painted as he went without using a projection of the design.

Watkins completed the mural in nine full work days over three weeks, using latex, spray paints and a boom lift to scale the side of the building.

“When I first went up, I didn’t go to the top because it just took a while to get used to,” Watkins says. “Towards the end of the piece, I could chill and have lunch up there; I was super comfortable. That first day, I was like, ‘What did I get myself into?’ But you kind of fight through that, and once you start blocking in the colors and getting some of the background, then it’s like, OK, the piece is coming together.”

Watkins was born and raised in Bay View and has been showing his art in the city for the last 20 years. He’s known for his use of abstraction, bold colors and detailed linework in his paintings.

Before this project, he had already completed two murals Downtown – a wall under the freeway behind the public market, and walls in the skywalk at The Avenue over Plankinton – but this one is his largest to date.

“I’ve talked to some other friends that have done way larger works and they’re like, ‘Get used to it, man. The walls keep getting bigger and bigger,’” Watkins says. “So I’m like, ‘OK, bring it on.’ I’m ready to paint pretty much whatever anybody needs.”

Watkins says he hopes the pop of color in the mural breathes life into the urban landscape. He also appreciates Milwaukee’s emphasis on public art and anticipates that it will grow in the future.

“I’m super grateful that I can bring work to the public and people that might not pop in a gallery can see public art,” he says. “I think Milwaukee and a lot of key people have been pushing public art and great opportunities for local artists. I think it’s only gonna grow.”