Introduction: The Vision at 1904 Ocean View Blvd
When you stand at the corner of 1904 Ocean View Blvd in San Diego, the architecture speaks to you. The building, home to Galeria 1904 and the studio of Chicano artist Mexikota, sits on a narrow triangular lot. We realized the arched entrance wasn’t just a door—it was the mouth of a serpent.
The Collaboration: Merging Styles
This mural is a deep-dive collaboration. I worked alongside Mexikota to blend our distinct Chicano art styles into a singular rendition of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. By integrating his signature design elements with my digital approach, we created a piece that respects the tradition of the space while pushing into new territory.
The Tech: Procreate as a Mural Tool
While many see Procreate as an illustrator’s tool, this session marked my first time using it as a direct application tool for large-scale mural work.
• The Benefit: It allowed for precise scaling against the building’s unique angles.
• The Workflow: Designing in layers allowed us to visualize the serpent’s flow across the “body” of the building before the first drop of physical paint hit the surface.
The Cultural Significance: Quetzalcoatl in Chicano Muralism
To understand this mural is to understand the lineage of Chicano Muralism. By choosing Quetzalcoatl—the “Feathered Serpent”—we are tapping into an indigenous iconography that has defined Mexican and Chicano identity for centuries.
In the Mesoamerican tradition, Quetzalcoatl represents the boundary between the earth and the sky. In the context of Barrio Logan and Galeria 1904, this serpent serves as a guardian of the space. By blending my artistic process with Mexikota’s established Chicano style, we aren’t just painting a wall; we are reclaiming the architectural narrative of the neighborhood. The “mouth” of the building at 1904 Ocean View Blvd now breathes the history of the feathered serpent into the modern San Diego landscape.
Looking to transform your space with a custom mural?
Message me @2hermanodesign@gmail.com. I can show what your mural would look like before paint touches the wall.
