Whale Mural Returns to San Francisco!

UPDATE! In 1976, 50 years ago today, I painted a whale on a San Francisco firehouse. The S.F. Art and Fire Commissions got upset because I didn’t get permission. I just painted it. I told the story here. After I left S.F. the whale somehow became an icon for S.F. mods and scooterists.

Scooterists, I’m told, would start and end their rallies at the whale. The mural and the firehouse are long gone. Aaron Stapley, a member of those subcultures emailed me to ask about the whale. Then Aaron did something unbelievable!

To celebrate the blue whale’s 5Oth anniversary, Aaron and friends recreated the whale in San Francisco!

Aaron emailed yesterday, “We couldn’t let this amazingly serendipitous occasion pass without taking things to a satisfactory conclusion. I assembled my team of intrepid whale fans and set a plan in action to resurrect your painting at 1/4 scale this Labor Day Weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of his creation. Phase 1 involved identifying a new home – mine” to be exact- thereby sidestepping any nay sayers in the planning department.”

“I redrew him as faithfully as possible, and then transferred the image by hand to several sheets of 8’x4’ pressure treated plywood. The silhouette was cut out with a handheld jigsaw. We painted the large areas (1 gallon of Benjamin Moore white and 1/2 Symphony Blue) on top of my garage before bringing the front sections inside for the crucial line work. I knew I’d never get the it exactly the same but did my best to capture the spirit.”

” As of today, he’s floating happily above the Pacific Ocean and will remain there for many decades to come. Oh, and we decided he needed a name. Kevin was the logical choice and seems to fit his disposition well. Tomorrow we have small ride organized to officially welcome Kevin to his new home.”

“Oh, and we decided he needed a name. Kevin was the logical choice and seems to fit his disposition well. Tomorrow we have small ride organized to officially welcome Kevin to his new home.” – Aaron

Aaron and crew, Thank you so much! I am stunned, amazed, delighted by your work!