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When Roosevelt Historic District homeowner Tony Tardino approached downtown artists Chele Hill and Andy Brown about painting custom murals on adjoining cinderblock walls, the independent artists didn’t hesitate for a moment. Not only did the rustic urban medium present an artistic challenge in both scope and perspective, but it brought with it an opportunity for the pair of painters to bond as they “slung paint” just feet from one another.
“Any opportunity to paint is a good time, but this was different,” says Hill, an emerging newcomer to the Phoenix arts community who has celebrated what she calls ‘corporate sobriety’ by fully immersing herself in the scene as an Articipant of ArtLink and Tri-Chair for the upcoming Grand Ave Festival.
“Neighborhood folks were stopping by, introducing themselves, asking to take photos – and people would drive by honking and yelling thank you.”
“It was a really fun neighborhood project,” adds Brown, an established Phoenix artist who lives and works downtown and for years has been putting his signature mark on walls in the valley and around the nation. “My career has expanded beyond what I ever thought possible as far as doing mural work and it makes me proud that it all started here in Phoenix.”
While Hill and Brown began the projects as independent artists with no formal connection aside from their mutual love for artistic expression, the two quickly learned their lives and their art were perfectly complementary. Both native Phoenicians (who, coincidentally, had no trouble reaching the top of their respective cinderblock canvases since both stand well over six feet tall), the two are freehand artists focused on reviving the downtown arts community one piece at a time.
“This mural project was even more special to me because I have photos of myself playing on this same street when I was little and my grandmother lived just around the corner,” says Hill. “I love having a hand in bringing this area to life!”
The finished products – Hill’s ethereal female visage and Brown’s ocean-like topography – are located at 7th Ave. and Roosevelt/Portland, and will be on the route for Phoenix’s September First Friday. Brown’s mural was created exclusively using aerosol paint; Hill’s design incorporates brushed and pumped acrylic.
“I am so very happy with both murals,” says Tardino, an active member of the Roosevelt Action Association who, as a renovator, cherishes making something ugly into something beautiful. “The murals turn a huge corner into a glorious and wonderful piece of art that enhances the whole neighborhood. I know it brings smiles to thousands of drivers each day.”
“It feels great to be a part of what’s happening downtown, and to see the ecosystem for artists improve and be a part of that,” says Brown. “The goal for me on this project was to provide something enjoyable for the community.”
To see more of Hill and Brown’s work, visit facebook.com/CHillOriginalArt or Soldierleisure.com (Instagram @sleisure), or stop by CHill Space Studio on Grand Ave. or Andy’s studio in the Historic Westminster Building at 2nd Ave. and Roosevelt.
