5 Colourful Murals To See

Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re here. It’s week 24 in 2022 and Weekend Coffee Share linkup #74 is open. Come on in and help yourself to a coffee or tea.

Week 24 in 2022

I’ve been on a few wonderful adventures this week. Initially, I thought of pausing the linkup for one or two weekends when I’m unavailable to put together a post or to host. It turns out I have time to create this short post in advance so here it is.

The Weekend Coffee Share linkup has been going well. There are about thirty participants every weekend. Thank you for your active participation and supportive comments. Even though I have limited time for blogging this week, I’ll reply to your comments as soon as possible.

5 Colourful Murals

Aside from taking many nature walks in spring, I’ve also done art walks and have many mural images to share. Nature inspires me and I’m drawn to art with natural elements. Take a look at these five murals in downtown Toronto. They were created by accomplished artists who have done many murals in Toronto and internationally.

The first three murals were on Bell utility boxes. Bell is Canada’s largest communications company. The Bell Box Murals have transformed utility cabinets into works of art.

Bird mural by Jarus
Bird mural by artist Jarus, 2019
Flower mural by Jon McTavish
Flower mural by artist Jon McTavish, 2019
Flower mural by Jon McTavish
Flower mural by artist Jon McTavish, 2019
Owl mural at Saint George hotel by birdO.
Owl mural by artist birdO (also known as Jerry Rugg), 2018
Rise of the Pollinator mural by Nick Sweetman, 2016
Rise of the Pollinator mural by artist Nick Sweetman, 2016

In the last picture, in the top right corner of the mural, the tree (unfortunately) covers the pollinator above the hibiscus. This mural is amazing to see in real life. Nick Sweetman, the artist, has done many murals to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, bees and butterflies.

Which mural is your favourite?

Shared with PPAC#52.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

Copyright © 2024 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.

80 thoughts on “5 Colourful Murals To See

  1. Dan Antion June 17, 2022 / 8:48 am

    These are wonderful murals, Natalie. I love it when ordinary utility boxes go from eyesore to art. I hope your unavailability is due to good things.

    Like

    • Natalie June 17, 2022 / 5:39 pm

      Dan, I’m glad you liked the murals. I’m enjoying great adventures and can do quick replies on my phone. Have a wonderful weekend!

      Like

  2. leannelc June 17, 2022 / 9:16 am

    The first one and the last one are my favourites Natalie – particularly the size of the last one – quite a magnificent achievement.

    Like

    • Natalie June 17, 2022 / 5:43 pm

      Yes both of them are beautiful murals. The last one is wall-sized and has many details. I’m glad you liked two.

      Like

  3. Ally Bean June 17, 2022 / 9:41 am

    Oh I like the Pollinator mural! Kind of trippy, decidedly memorable.

    Like

    • Natalie June 17, 2022 / 5:45 pm

      Yes, that huge mural has beautiful details and a good message.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Lizl June 17, 2022 / 10:24 am

    I like the Owl mural the best. Love the glasses!

    Like

    • Natalie June 17, 2022 / 5:47 pm

      The colour palette on the bird is beautiful.

      Like

  5. Kirstin June 17, 2022 / 4:47 pm

    That’s a hard choice, but I love the bird, the owl, and the bee the best. Enjoy your adventures.

    Like

    • Natalie June 17, 2022 / 5:49 pm

      Those three murals have beautiful colours and details. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      Like

  6. Lydia C. Lee June 17, 2022 / 5:08 pm

    I love the proliferation of street art these days – it really transforms the city! #WeekendCoffeeShare

    Like

    • Natalie June 17, 2022 / 5:50 pm

      Good for artists and people who like art. Win-win.

      Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 5:22 am

      Yes, it’s a beautiful tribute to bees and other pollinators. Glad you liked it.

      Like

  7. Jo June 17, 2022 / 11:36 pm

    I adore street art & it’s a great way to brighten up the comms boxes. While I love them all, the pollinator is just fabulous.

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 5:23 am

      Yes, that mural has beautiful colours, details and a good message.

      Like

  8. Maria June 18, 2022 / 3:20 am

    They are all absolutely wonderful ! If I would have to pick only one it would be the last one, but I do absolutely love the flowers as well. I hope your re enjoying a wonderful summertime ! ❤

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 5:28 am

      The flower and pollinator murals are beautiful. They must take the artists hours to paint them. I’m glad you liked both murals.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Maria June 18, 2022 / 10:36 am

        I am sure it takes many hours, if not days to paint like that.

        Like

  9. Gary A Wilson June 18, 2022 / 9:26 am

    Hi Natalie,
    Thanks again for hosting us. I know it takes time. When Ali was passing the torch I thought about taking it myself but knew immediately that my job and normal life with family and church and even my own writing would prevent me from doing the job I’d like. I didn’t know you when you took over and I hoped you would do well and you have far surpassed both what I could have done and what I hoped for – so my thanks is not just words, but well thought out praise for something I know takes effort and time and thought.
    But to your question, of all the art you share, I’m always the most impressed when the artist captures something from nature that looks real but still artsy. From today’s collection that would be your first image of the bird in flight across the fence. The owl is pretty cool too.
    It sounds like life has you busy this weekend. I hope you’re doing something very fun.
    Blessings.

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:37 pm

      Gary, Thank you very much for your kind comments. The WCS blogging community seems to be thriving and that is rewarding for me. I hope we continue to grow and thrive in the weeks ahead. I’ve had an amazing week. I’ll catch up soon. Glad you like the bird and the owl. Have a great weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. trentpmcd June 18, 2022 / 10:12 am

    I like all of the murals. I can’t decide between the photo-realistic bird of the first, or that great cosmic pollinator in the last better, but they are both super. I hope your busy week/weekend is good-busy. Have a wonderful week ahead 🙂

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:40 pm

      Trent, Those two murals are amazing. I’m having great fun but only have my phone to type quick replies. Have a wonderful weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Writing Sparkle June 18, 2022 / 10:16 am

    I don’t think I will ever stop being surprised by the beauty that is Toronto. Thanks for sharing Natalie.

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:41 pm

      Thank you Shari for your comment. Toronto’s art scene is incredible.

      Like

  12. Astrid June 18, 2022 / 2:21 pm

    I love butterflies and raising awareness of the endangered status of bees is important too. That’s so cool that Nick Sweetman does this on murals!

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:43 pm

      Nick Sweetman’s murals are incredible. He’s a very talented artist.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Janet Gogerty June 18, 2022 / 2:29 pm

    Definitely the Pollinator as it must be stunning to see in real life. Jon McTavish inspired by William Morris? I love any outdoor art, we have a giant dachshund and elephants at one of our shopping centres.

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:48 pm

      Janet, The animal arts at your shopping center sound great. I’m not sure if McTavish’s work is inspired by Morris or not but it’s a possibility. The pollinator mural is amazing with its details IRL. I have a link to Sweetman’s website in case anyone wants to see more of his artworks.

      Like

  14. Anne Fraser @theplatinumline.blog June 18, 2022 / 3:04 pm

    I love all the murals. I think the owl is my favourite. Is that the Toronto skyline reflected in its eyes?

    Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:50 pm

      Yes, that’s the Toronto skyline reflected in the owl’s eyes. I think that’s a very cool and urban touch.

      Like

    • Natalie June 18, 2022 / 4:53 pm

      Glad you’re able to link up. If you encounter such message next time, try to Refresh the page and add your link again.

      Like

  15. Deborah Drucker June 18, 2022 / 4:12 pm

    Very colorful murals. I like the first one with the black bird. The artist did a good job matching the two panels.

    Like

  16. csuhpat1 June 18, 2022 / 9:46 pm

    All of them are so very beautiful. Love them all. But I really love the one of the St. George. That is so cool.

    Like

    • Natalie June 19, 2022 / 6:02 am

      Yes, the owl looks urban with the Toronto skyline reflection in its sunglasses. Thank you Patrick for joining the linkup. Have a great weekend!

      Like

    • Natalie June 19, 2022 / 6:04 am

      Thank you Marsha for your coffee share. Your post has beautiful photos and interesting stories. I hope your area is safe from the fires.

      Like

  17. Jennifer Jones June 19, 2022 / 7:51 am

    Hi Natalie I thought the flower murals were my favourite until you told the story of the Pollinator mural. I really do love them all

    Like

    • Natalie June 19, 2022 / 7:52 pm

      The artists did an amazing job on these murals. I’m glad you love them all.

      Like

  18. Antoinette Truglio Martin June 19, 2022 / 9:41 am

    Love this tour!

    Like

    • Natalie June 19, 2022 / 7:52 pm

      Thanks Antoinette for your positive feedback.

      Like

  19. Terri Webster Schrandt June 19, 2022 / 11:54 am

    That bird mural is absolutely stunning, Natalie–what a talented artist! Thanks for the lovely tour and have a great week!

    Like

    • Natalie June 19, 2022 / 7:55 pm

      I think the artist did a wonderful job painting the bird on two utility boxes. Hope you have a great week ahead.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie June 19, 2022 / 8:05 pm

      Thank you Debbie for the mention. I feel a part of a blogging community and participate in blog linkups (other than my own) to support other hosts when I can.

      Like

  20. Janet Alcorn June 20, 2022 / 10:20 pm

    I love the owl and Rise of the Pollinator! So cool!

    Like

    • Natalie June 21, 2022 / 11:57 am

      Glad you love those two murals. They’re beautiful.

      Like

  21. Diana June 21, 2022 / 12:30 am

    Hi Natalie, I was going to pick the first mural as the bird is so beautiful but since I love flowers so much, I think the second one that is covered all in pretty Flowers is my favorite! I hope you have a great week! 💜🌺🥀🌷🌸

    Like

    • Natalie June 21, 2022 / 11:59 am

      Hi Diana, I also love flowers. The artist did a great job with so many flowers in the utility boxes. Have a wonderful week!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Ju-Lyn June 23, 2022 / 8:45 am

    My vote for favourite is the owl – the geometrical shapes are so striking!

    Like

    • Natalie June 23, 2022 / 8:50 am

      Yes, imagine painting all those shapes and colours at a height. I also like the Toronto skyline reflection in the owl’s eyes/ sunglasses.

      Like

      • Ju-Lyn June 24, 2022 / 7:14 pm

        Ooh, I didn’t even notice the reflection in the eyes … thanks for pointing that out so I can have a third look!😄

        Like

        • Natalie June 24, 2022 / 7:29 pm

          You’re welcome, Ju-Lyn. One of the great things about art is each viewer picks up different details in the artwork.

          Like

  23. Teresa June 24, 2022 / 8:15 pm

    I am always excited to see your mural posts, Natalie. These are wonderful especially the utility boxes which are brightened up by the cool designs.

    Like

    • Natalie June 24, 2022 / 8:37 pm

      Teresa, That’s so nice to hear you’re excited to see my mural posts. I’m glad you liked the artworks on the utility boxes. I have a lot more murals to share 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Julie June 27, 2022 / 3:40 pm

    Most of the utility boxes in my area have been painted. The few unpainted ones I see on some of my walks just look drab…

    Like

    • Natalie June 27, 2022 / 4:40 pm

      Yes, quite a contrast once art beautifies an object or space.

      Like

  25. Lina Belle July 22, 2022 / 8:20 am

    These are awesome! Especially the last one!

    Like

Leave a reply to Astrid Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.