Graffiti Artist’s Animal Portraits Has Authorities Far From Mad

A graffiti artist who had been secretly been decorating walls around Keller, Texas, might actually be able to land a permanent job if the authorities can find him. Instead of the usual charges that would be brought against any “vandal” defacing public property, the city’s government is asking the so-far-unidentified artist to step forward so they can “work together.”

Armadillo, the second portrait by Keller city vigilante artist. Photo via Keller government Facebook page.

The first of the anonymous artist’s works appeared on January 1 and was the portrait of a running doe painted under the city’s Bear Creek Parkway Bridge. When city officials found out about the art work, they decided it should stay up there and made the decision public via their Facebook page:

“This little doe is in the tunnel under Bear Creek Parkway here in Town Center. Parks Manager Gary Davis says he doesn’t have the heart to paint over it, so the doe gets to stay,” the post announced.

Too bad they hadn’t anticipated what was about to come.

Bird in mid-flight , the third portrait by Keller city vigilante artist. Photo via Keller government Facebook page.

But the undercover artist must have heard them because just a few days later a painting of an armadillo appeared, followed a couple of days later by that of a bird in mid-flight. Then on January 26, a snapping turtle appeared and finally, two turkeys joined the art series.

Snapping turtle, the fourth portrait by Keller city vigilante artist (Photo courtesy of Keller government Facebook page)
Snapping turtle, the fourth portrait by Keller city vigilante artist. Photo via Keller government Facebook page.
Two turkeys , the fifth and final portrait by Keller city vigilante artist (Photo courtesy of Keller government Facebook page)
Two turkeys , the fifth and final portrait by Keller city vigilante artist. Photo via Keller government Facebook page.

And it isn’t just the officials who were smitten by the creative vigilante. Everyday people who frequent the trail too were quite taken aback by him or her. One such person is Pilar Ruiz who also happens to work nearby and said she was “…totally shocked and happy.”

“…We have no idea who this person is, but we are loving it!” she said.

While the artwork was undeniably beautiful, the people at Keller Town Hall say it still was graffiti and, hence, a Class C misdemeanor which is punishable by the equivalent of a traffic ticket. But it doesn’t seem like they will be pursuing that avenue as they have already announced that they would like the artist to contact them so they can commission a giant mural on the Bear Creek tunnel wall. Of course, this would put the artist in a dilemma as accepting the commission will also mean admitting to having broken the law, something which also has Ruiz in doubt:

“I think it would be a great deal, because it does enhance this place, which is really dark, and the art is beautiful, but only if there’s no repercussions for him coming out. If there is any, then stay in!” she said.

Sadly, the artworks were vandalized over the weekend and the city announced that they had to paint over them. In a Facebook post, the city announced:

“Bummed to share that the wildlife art in the Bear Creek Parkway tunnel that our community was enjoying so much was vandalized this weekend and so had to be painted over. RIP, little guys.”

It is unknown if the offer for the commission is still on the table.

Featured image courtesy of Keller government Facebook page.