WEST SEATTLE ART: Desmond Hansen’s newest signal boxes

| Seen around town | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of a new Desmond Hansen signal-box portrait – it’s at Delridge/Genesee, a tribute to Mark “Monk” Hubbard of Grindline, designers of the nearby skatepark and many more. The artist tells a detailed story on Instagram about an encounter with the skatepark luminary, a West Seattle resident who died last year. While checking Instagram for more on that box, we noticed Hansen also has just completed one featuring wildlife, so we went by for a photo:

(WSB photo)

That one’s at Fauntleroy/Dawson.

Peggy September 1, 2019 (8:10 pm)

signal boxes are nice. The wild life-Blue Jay- is pretty but is not found in the northwest, it is an eastern/central species. Our jay is its cousin the Steller’s Jay, a remarkable noisy neighbor who enlivens our gardens and natural areas.

Amy September 2, 2019 (10:07 am)

I’m just wondering what the point of your comment is. All birds are a valuable part of ecosystem.
- junctioneer September 2, 2019 (2:12 pm)
  
  Doesn’t most of the other signal box art tie in somehow locally? Whereas so far as I know a Blue Jay does not. I was wondering the same thing. No one is saying Blue Jays are not valuable to wonder why it’s painted on a box. Doesn’t make it a critique either. The art is fine.It’s like painting the St. Louis Gateway arch on a box and not the Space Needle. It’s fine, but noticeable.

Michelle September 1, 2019 (10:26 pm)

I watched the artist work at Delridge while waiting for the light. It seemed like in just a few moments it went from a flat orange to this wonderfully shadowed and 3D image for the man’s sweater. So cool!!!

waikikigirl September 2, 2019 (4:20 am)

All of these “boxes” are so beautiful and what does it matter if the Blue Jay is from the NW or not would you rather look at a ugly gray box painted with graffiti?Good job Desmond!

Mike September 2, 2019 (5:44 am)

“I don’t build skateparks for safety. They’re not built to be safe. It’s not a playground, it’s a skatepark. You can’t expect to drop your kid off every day and expect him to come home walking.” — Mark Hubbard:)https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/mark-monk-hubbard-rip-in-peace/

Andrew September 2, 2019 (8:13 am)

Such a great painting to honor Mark at the home of his best work, Delridge Skate Park!

Joan September 2, 2019 (8:44 am)

Oh, what a shame! He painted the wrong “blue Jay.”! it should be a Stellers, as Peggy pointed out! Tsk tsk. Desmond, learn your birds! But expanding out to local wildlife portraits is great!

WSB September 2, 2019 (10:09 am)

Of course the Steller’s Jay is the most commonly seen jay locally – my favorite backyard bird! – BUT there ARE other jays. Example: This photo of a Scrub-Jay seen in South Park, posted to the WSB community Flickr page:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93811016@N03/33869044908/in/pool-westseattleblog

BirdWeb confirms the Western Scrub-Jay does show up here from time to time
http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/western_scrub-jay

Say what??? September 2, 2019 (10:47 am)

Good grief. Do you naysayers have any manners? If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Desmond does our community a great service with his beautiful art. Thanks Desmond!!!

Maria September 3, 2019 (11:21 am)

I believe people are welcome to express their thoughts in the comments section. This is the second time in a couple of weeks that I’ve read someone say “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” which is odd because it is being critical of someone else’s comments.

miws September 2, 2019 (1:15 pm)

For those that wonder why “…Desmond does this…”, why “…Desmond doesn’t do that…”, please pay particular attention to about a minute or so in, to get an idea. Also, note early on when he starts speaking that he points out that SDOT is where he goes to get the permits needed to beautify these signal boxes. Perhaps the folks that criticize Desmond, and not very constructively, in comments on every WSB story on his artwork, can go down to SDOT to secure permits to paint signal boxes in the manner that *they* prefer…—Mike—In Desmond’s own words… https://q13fox.com/2019/06/26/seattle-artist-beautifying-city-one-electric-box-at-a-time/

m September 2, 2019 (1:25 pm)

Beautiful. Please keep ‘em coming, Desmond!

Jim Walker September 2, 2019 (3:46 pm)

Blue Jay’s are the jerks of the bird world but I like the painting.

West Seattle Hipster September 2, 2019 (4:00 pm)

Thank you for the amazing artwork Desmond Hansen!.As those who criticize or nitpick his art, please reflect on your priorities in life.

john September 3, 2019 (7:40 am)

West Seattle Hipster,Art is to be criticized and nitpicked, this criticism catalyzes conversation and is part of the process. The process is quite revealing in these comments.