New University Heights mural features collective work of five local artists; work done over two days in February

By Stacy Brandt | SDUN Reporter

Five local artists recently transformed a large blank wall at a grocery store in University Heights into a psychedelic landscape replete with a pixie butterfly, banjo-playing frog, garden gnome and grimacing trees.

The work on the side of Park Boulevard Foods, located at 4504 Park Blvd., was meant to spruce up and add some color to the neighborhood, said Alvin Habib, the store’s owner.

“It just brings out good, positive energy,” he said. “It’s a nice addition to this community.”

It took five artists two days and $300 worth of spray paint to complete the mural early last month. They go by the names Dexr, Eye max, Persue, Kuya and Fizsix. Habib gave them free rein to paint whatever they wanted.

The crew did the work from scratch, without much planning or forethought, said Eye max, who asked that his real name not be used. He said he used to live nearby and wanted to include butterflies because he remembers them coming around from time to time.

At first, they were only joking about painting butterflies and rainbows on the wall, but the idea ended up sticking, Eye max said.

“It’s just freedom and love,” he said. “That’s all it represents to me: love to the neighborhood and love for those butterflies that used to come around.”

The mural features a rainbow of strong, vivid colors, mostly deep purples and greens in a fantasy scene with mythical creatures and various other designs. The artists started with the butterfly in the center and worked their way around the wall, each adding their own touches.

The art is particularly appropriate considering how many artists and students there are in University Heights, said Eli Freebairn, who lives a couple of blocks from the store.

“It just adds so much life to the place,” he said. “I don’t think it’s anything but good for the neighborhood.”

A few customers have said they thought it was overwhelming, but overall the response has been very positive, Habib said. It has helped draw more attention to the market, which Habib bought two years ago.

“Obviously, it’s very eye-catching,” he said. “It’s not like you can miss it.”

Nicholas Garland, manager at Lestat’s on Park, which is across the street from the grocery store, said art such as the mural helps make the neighborhood more interesting.

“If everything was plain, white stucco, it would be dull,” he said.

For years, the wall on the corner of Park Boulevard and Monroe Avenue was adorned simply with painted pictures of different foods. When Habib took over the store, he said people in the neighborhood told him that they did not like the old mural. He decided to cover it up two months ago, when he had the rest of the building painted.

Initially, he was not sure whether he was going to put another mural up, but the artists approached him last month after noticing the freshly painted blank wall. They agreed to do the work for only the cost of the aerosol paint, which was just over $300, Habib said. He also threw in an extra $300 because he was so pleased with the work.

“I love it,” he said. “I think it’s beautiful.”

The artists have created other murals throughout Uptown, some as a team and some individually. These include one at Filter Coffee House and another at Undisputed Fitness and Training Center, both in North Park. They have several more planned throughout San Diego, Eye max said.

“We’re doing murals all over town,” he said. “We’re just trying to show that you can do more with a spray can than just destroy stuff.”