BRUSH MURAL FESTIVAL

Brush Mural Festival was created in 2022 by Saba Hamidi, Jaz Erenberg, and Jess Langley, to showcase the work of local artists in Baltimore, MD. I participated in the 2024 festival at the Baltimore Convention Center and painted a 26’ x 8’ mural depicting the history of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the residents of Southwest Baltimore, who live along its former and current routes. This mural was painted using a combination of Montana 94 spray paint and Createx Wicked Colors acrylic, applied with an air brush.

The first piece of commercial railroad track in the United States was laid in Baltimore, near what is now the B&O Railroad Museum. From there, the B&O Railroad built a track heading west, leading to the construction of the historic Carrollton Viaduct over Gwynns Falls and Thomas Viaduct over the Patapsco River. These areas are still in use by the railroad to this day and also serve as an unofficial playground for many who grow up in Baltimore to explore. One can get lost following these tracks into uncharted territories, an often beautiful combination of nature and the outskirts of the urban landscape, that most people never see. Freight trains command a powerful energy: they are massive, loud, and dangerous. They are intertwined with stories of Americana, hobo culture, and serve as a rolling art gallery for those who take the time to observe and appreciate. The history of these trains, the areas they travel through and the mysterious subcultures that surround them are truly hidden gems of Baltimore. 

I chose this subject matter and created my design in response to the prompt “Hidden Gems of Baltimore,” that was provided by the festival organizers. As a lead artist, I was paired with an assistant and was responsible for mentorship related to the process of painting exterior murals. The Baltimore based artist, Kid Balloon, assisted me with this mural and was great to work with.