“Wave Cloud”
2017
Partners: Arts Martin Acres
This mural was created in partnership with Arts Martin Acres, a grassroots neighborhood arts movement directed and driven by volunteers in the Martin Acres neighborhood in Boulder, CO.
Through a community engagement process and grant funding, we organized two muralists to paint on pathway tunnels that run through Martin Acres. The themes identified by the neighborhood were largely in appreciation of the natural beauty that Boulder has and the access that the pathways provide us.
Katherine Rutter was selected for her unique artistic style that incorporates the interplay of nature and animal imagery. Her mural stretched along 70 feet of the Bear Creek Pathway.
Katherine seeks to create ambiguous narratives that “explore notions of transformation, sexuality, beauty, femininity, and tender vulnerability." She uses subtle colors and gentle lines to encourage feelings of warmth and familiarity but juxtaposed against underlying tensions. Her influences include old children’s books, Japanese art (specifically Ukiyo-e and principles of wabi-sabi), Kiki Smith, Henry Darger, early scientific illustrations, and the writings of Annie Dillard and bell hooks.
This project was funded by the City of Boulder Neighborhood Project Grant.