CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- At the busy intersection of Milwaukee, Halstead, and Grand in Chicago's West Town, muralist Thomas Turner from Atlanta puts the finishing touches on a 2,200-square-foot piece of art on the southwest wall of South Side Control Supply.
"This is the biggest collaboration I've ever done," said Turner, who is working with Los Angeles-based muralist Kiptoe, who started their giant creation on Monday.
"This wall was blank for 20 years or something like that, everyone that has rolled by just said 'Wow, what a game changer this is.' Everyone is really impressed," Kiptoe said.
Turner and Kiptoe met for the first time in Chicago. Each artists took half the 20 x 110 foot wall.
"They presented this wall to me and they wanted to pair me with Kiptoe, and I knew I wanted to create something with him," Turner said.
The imagery represents conceptual work from each muralist. Kiptoe said he's especially proud of this piece, as it's one of the largest he's created in quite a while.
"My side of the wall, I had the sketch in my mind. Thomas had his thing, where he was talking about the wind Gods. We both love mythology. We wanted to bring something special to the wall," Kiptoe said.
Both artists did some research about Chicago to create their mural.
"We got butterflies, which is the state insect, we have cardinals, which is the state bird. Thomas worked off of my palet, he's got this huge Hyland cow and a surrealist tree coming out of the horns which looks really, really cool," Kiptoe said.
"Whenever I travel and I do murals, I like to incorporate the community. I want to connect to them on another level," Turner said. "I like people to look at it and create their own story. I like to connect to the people who see it day in and day out. We want to make people excited to live where they live," Thomas added.
The mural is part of the 3rd annual Titan Walls Mural Fest, Chicago's largest mural fest, which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21.
"We reach out to artists around the country. We are spreading art to everywhere we can trying to uplift communities and build communities," said John Basoms, Muros.
Basoms said more and more communities across the country are embracing street art.
"Coming out of the pandemic, people are back out and want to experience things outside. To be able to bring art, and to walk around your neighborhood and seeing these beautiful pieces of art come to life, it really stimulates the senses," Basoms said. "It's inspiration, you walk through your community and you see the things that are there every day, to see something as inspiring and uplifting, it brings joy to people's face. We're excited to be the bridge to bring these to the community."
"I love painting walls," said Kiptoe, who's created murals around the world. "I'm having a really great time out here. Everyone's honking their horns telling us they love our work."
Basoms said they chose to paint on South Side Control Supply in West Town, specifically because of its visibility.
"This is a high traffic area. We had such a positive response not only from people driving and walking by, but the local businesses, too, that are so excited to have artists here and something that is theirs," Basoms said.
The Titan Walls Mural Fest will be held at District Brew Yards and Altitude, located at 417 North Ashland Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 21 from noon to 8 p.m. Twelve artists will be live painting on six different walls.
"It's been an amazing experience so far, the neighborhood has welcoming us with open arms. It's been really great energy right here," Turner said.