You don’t have to drive 200 miles south and east to get a glimpse of one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders if you live in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood. Just take a walk or a short bicycle ride to our easterly perimeter. At NE 47th Avenue near the corner of NE Shaver Street you will discover a scenic mural depicting the beautiful Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds.
The mural, which stretches along a 50-foot fence, is the artwork of Portland artist/designer Carla Deal. This is not Carla’s first rodeo painting large-scale artwork. You can also see her work on the wall of McPeet’s Pub on NE Fremont Street.
Carla was commissioned to create this expansive mural by the homeowner, an environmental scientist who spends a lot of time in Central Oregon. I first discovered this beauty on a ride two years ago and believe it is one of the finest in our neighborhood.
Carla is what I would describe as a free spirit sort of artist. She gets a vision in her mind’s eye and then creates the art “freestyle,” much like a skier carving through powder down the slopes of Mount Hood. She prefers to use her brush strokes liberally, changing course as she creates, sometimes incorporating thoughts and suggestions from passersby who often stop to watch her as she paints.
She told me that one very rewarding aspect of painting publicly in busy neighborhoods is the interaction she gets from those who stop to discuss her projects.
If you would like to see some more of Carla’s artwork, current works are always on display at Little River Cafe on the banks of the Willamette River just north of Poet’s Beach or check out her work at carladeal.com.
She’s the real deal!
Alameda resident Michael Wright is a rewired (not a typo) sports agent who moved to PDX with his wife Sally in 2009 from New York City. Writing, cycling, and sports of all types are no longer side hustles, but full-time pursuits.