Summertime is when a man’s heart turns to beaver murals – er – something like that. This story from Milwaukee got me thinking about our own Muraled history, we’ve come so far on the subject! And of course chatting with the artist about teeth, ahem.

Justin Suarez worked with scientists at the UWM Freshwater Institute to identify which specific species to paint. The mural will include a beaver, otter, and a Belted Kingfisher.

“Even though the city is on the river the ecology and animals that live here are a really important part of the ecosystem…more important than we are in a lot of ways,” said Suarez.

I had to write Justin and let him know the mural was awesome, tell him the truth about teeth and let him know something about our own bizarre history of beaver murals in Martinez. Like all stories in our town its one with many chapters. This one from the SF Chronicle.

Martinez mural artist forced to remove beaver

In the latest chapter of the city’s conflicted relationship with its resident beaver family, officials last week ordered the muralist to paint over the depiction of a beaver he had included in his panorama.

It’s the only time I talked to reporters and heard them laughing themselves to tears over the depths to which one city would sink over rodents. The story got so much attention we were even on the radio in Chicago. Remember?

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Ahh those were the days! So of course it was for more than just mere spite that we had to bring Mario back for the big mural in 2016 when our kits died. He did an excellent job of course. So good that Jon and I paid to have one outside our front door later.

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Ahh such sweet memories. Of course these were paint and brush murals, not spray paint like Justin’s. So we had to have one of those too. This from Tim Hon of Illuminaries who happened to live in the city and really like seeing the beavers.