Life Lines No. 9
đ„ Murals, Moonlight & A Parade of Shadows
Hello! Welcome to issue number 9 of Life Lines!
I recently got back from the Bay Area, where I was working on the Inspired Students Mural Initiative for a few days. We ran into some unexpected challenges like tight logistics, shifting schedules, and weather that wasnât necessarily âmural-friendly.â But that's just part of life. Now that I've been back, what sticks with me most is just how lucky I am. Painting murals in schools, sharing space with students, and learning something new from every single experienceâitâs all pretty special.
Whatâs even more powerful is seeing how the students respondâwatching them light up in the workshops, realizing it's cool, okay, and possible to want to be an artist. I wouldâve loved that kind of moment when I was growing up. Now that Iâm here, I just feel gratefulâgrateful for the opportunity and for the growing pains that teach me so much along the way. Iâm grateful for the people around me who have supported me, and most importantly, who have been patient with the whole process.
Here a recap of what we have accomplished so far:
What started as a single mural at Rancho Elementary in March 2024 has grown into something truly meaningful. This past year alone, the Inspired Students Mural Initiative has brought 15 murals to 12 schools, reaching over 6,000 students. And the ripple effect? Families, teachers, siblingsâeven whole neighborhoodsâare feeling the joy and creative energy this work brings.
What's coming up for this chapter of the Mural Initiative:
With growing demand from schools and districts, the next chapter of the initiative includes:
â 1 more elementary school in Novato
â 2 more in Castro Valley
â 3 more in Milpitas
â 3 schools in Petaluma (new district)
â 1 school in Denver, Colorado
More to come soon!
The Inspired Students T-Shirt!
We made a special T-shirt! Itâs 100% combed ring-spun cotton (not sure what that means either), but itâs suuuuper comfortable, I promise. All proceeds go directly to support the Initiative. đ
đš IN OTHER NEWS
The Shadow Parade is marching its way to San Francisco!
Mark your calendars! My next solo exhibition, Shadow Parade, opens June 7th at Themes+Projects in San Francisco.
Shadow Parade is a quiet procession through light and darknessâan exploration of integration and the enduring power of the line to hold it all together. đ€
More details coming soon, but for now: Save the date!
Before we go, I just wanted to show you this photo of me loving my new best friendâthe most wonderful red wall to ever exist in the whole wide world. đ€Ș Long live the Rose Elementary wall!
Ok, bye!
As always, thank you for being here! â€ïž
Just love your stuff!
I love the wine red background. Now I want one! Keep up the good work. People like us who grew up without our interest in the arts being encouraged need to be thankful, as you are, that we persevered and have lives with meaning. You're amazing.
Kevin