WEST SEATTLE ART: Desmond Hansen’s newest signal-box portrait

Thanks for the tips! We just caught up with West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen finishing this new signal-box portrait, on the southwest corner of California/Frontenac south of Morgan Junction. It’s a portrait of Mike Starr, original Alice in Chains bassist, who died in 2011 at age 44. Hansen estimates he’s painted about 75 boxes – in and outside of West Seattle – since starting in 2018 with Jimi Hendrix at California/Fauntleroy. You can see many of them, and some of his other work, on his website. We asked him what’s next; nothing specific yet, but he said there’s a lot of maintenance to be done this spring.

Just wondering February 4, 2024 (2:16 pm)

Thanks for putting on the name of the person. I always notice the one of Mia Zapata by West Seattle High School but I don’t think many know who she is. Maybe her name could be added.

Brooke February 5, 2024 (3:08 am)

Thank you! I drive by that one several times a week for school drop off and always wondered who it was on that box!
RJB February 5, 2024 (3:10 am)

I live about a block from the Mia box, I walk by and smile, but sad. I still take the tie string out of my hooded sweatshirts….

Brian February 4, 2024 (2:29 pm)

Desmond is the best!!!

John February 4, 2024 (2:34 pm)

At first glance of the work in progress, I mistook Mike Star for a female.
I asked who decides the photo base of the portrait.
Apparently it is the people commissioning the work,
whoever they are?

Bus February 4, 2024 (3:16 pm)

I’m hoping he’ll have some time to restore the beautiful artwork he did on the box at 16th and Roxbury before the vandals destroyed it.

waikikigirl February 4, 2024 (3:53 pm)

Are you speaking of the Chevy Impala Lowrider, across from the Bank if so I emailed Desmond about it and he said so long as the “tagging” didn’t go into his work then he will leave it alone. At that time it hadn’t, haven’t looked lately.
- Bus February 4, 2024 (6:01 pm)
  
  He did a “Black Lives Matter” box that has, sadly, been vandalized multiple times, usually by people just crossing out the message. Sucks that he has had to come back so many times, but it’s even more heartbreaking that a message full of love inspires so much hate in others that they would continually try to cover it up.
Greg February 4, 2024 (4:24 pm)

unfortunately he has restored that one numerous times and it kept getting vandalized. I suspect he may have given up on that one. he did one in front of my house and it got vandalized. he came out and fixed it, which you might think is touching up here and there. But due to his spray can style, he more or less had to redo the whole thing to fix the parts that were vandalized. It was a lot of work.
Alki resident February 4, 2024 (4:46 pm)

He did it many times. It won’t be restored.
HappyCamper February 4, 2024 (5:00 pm)

I just read that as of Friday vandalism is illegal in Seattle again so hopefully we end up seeing less of it. It’s too bad when nice things like this get ruined.

Pigeon Kablood February 4, 2024 (4:12 pm)

Does anyone knows who is painting the box at Fauntleroy and Alaska? It’s usually adorned with very fancy rabbits. I look forward to seeing how the art changes every few weeks but cannot figure out who is the artist!

the march hare February 4, 2024 (9:08 pm)

yes I want to know more about those rabbits!
CAM February 5, 2024 (12:33 am)

That box seems to also be related to signs all over West Seattle on the light poles at intersections that are in a similar style and reference rabbits or other random sayings. I’ve been waiting to find out what they are for.

Insertname February 4, 2024 (5:01 pm)

Amazing. Each mural looks better than the last. This is one of my favorites.

Wes C. Addle February 4, 2024 (7:18 pm)

Would love to see him rework Eddie Vedder on Webster and 35th. All his other stuff really captures the person…but this one just makes me sad especially since Ed is local.

Oerthehillz February 4, 2024 (8:29 pm)

Beautiful work. I was just tonight reading the lyrics to a favorite Alice in Chains song which Michael co-wrote, I Can’t Remember.

M February 4, 2024 (10:26 pm)

Love his work.

Peace maker February 4, 2024 (11:37 pm)

Pretty sure he did a memorial painting of our friend Thad. Next to lincoln park at the gas station corner. Thankyou for doing that he was a kind soul who passed too soon. We all need these things to recover from grief and share love of our great people who called Seattle home.

Lauren February 5, 2024 (7:38 am)

As a big fan of your work, a request for Desmond: could we get more women in this series?

Jeff February 5, 2024 (8:19 am)

Does anyone know if there’s a way to submit a blank utility box as a suggested next painting? And if he’d consider certain area musicians/artists at all?

Joe February 5, 2024 (8:47 am)

There are anti-graffiti coatings, but ironically they’d likely ruin his art. If he could find an automotive 2K epoxy clearcoat that works well with his paint, that would at least make it easier to clean. Epoxy is very hard. It’s available in rattle cans.

Happy February 5, 2024 (8:47 am)

Does anyone have the link to support Desmond’s work?

WS Res February 5, 2024 (11:59 am)

His Instagram is here but I don’t see a fundraising link there or at his site.
- WSB February 5, 2024 (12:14 pm)
  
  The previously promoted GoFundMe comes up on Google (we linked to it in some past stories)
  https://www.gofundme.com/f/art-murals-for-seattle-signal-boxes
  Seems to still be open though I don’t know if he’s actively promoting it; he’s listed as the organizer so it would seem $ goes directly to him … TR

Melinda Jankord-Steedman February 5, 2024 (11:42 am)

Brilliant work, Desmond. May I suggest that you paint a portrait of Clarence Acox, the legendary teacher and band director of Garfield High School’s Jazz Ensemble? Many thanks for your contributions to art in Seattle!