One man’s Wall is another man’s canvas

Art and photo by Juan Bernal.

Artwork by Bobby Salcido, photo by Frankie Sanchez.

Jonas Leon Rios
Prairie Reporter

Web Editor’s Note: Click here to check out more photos of “The Wall”.

There doesn’t seem to be many legal outlets that exist for graffiti artists, but one man not only welcomes this form of art but also encourages it.

Attorney Jeff Blackburn of Amarillo offers the outside wall of his business location, at the corner of Madison Street and SW 16th Avenue, as a creative outlet for those who wish to express free speech through the medium of spray painting and drawing. He states that “The Wall” changes constantly and usually has a complete new look every three days.

A couple of Caprock High School students were on site to tell about their passion for art, especially at “The Wall”.

Bobby Salcido from Amarillo enjoys spray painting on this wall because it allows him to take his time creating a piece of art – otherwise it would be illegal to spray paint elsewhere. He’s been creating art on this wall for about four years, and paints whatever flourishes from his mind and doesn’t rely on any sketches beforehand. Salcido chooses random designs and wordings to paint, but stays away from any kind of crude or political messages. Aside from spraying, Salcido enjoys to airbrush, draw, stencil, and skateboard. Salcido plans to pursue some form of artistic display for a lifetime career.

Juan Bernal, Amarillo resident and friend of Salcido, can’t quite recall when he began drawing, but knows that it started at a young age. He recalls that his dad and family would comment on how he had an unusually good talent for being so young.

Today, Bernal doesn’t consider himself an artist per se, but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he does really well, which is draw. He prefers pen and ink drawing to other forms of sketching because, quite simply, it’s the easiest for him to do, “ it only requires pen and paper.”

Bernal relies on instinct and improvisation as his inspiration for his freelance art.

“There isn’t a right or way of being an artist,” Bernal said. “If there’s a right way, you’re probably copying somebody else and the work isn’t original. There isn’t a wrong way because every artist has their own way of doing things.”

Pic of "The Wall", photo by Frankie Sanchez.

Bernal goes on to state that he doesn’t have a favorite piece of artwork and that they are all equal. He parallels this to trying to pin down one favorite song, movie or if you’re a parent – a kid. Bernal states that he would like to push his art to its limits and see where it can get him

However, he is well aware that making it in the industry is challenging just like making it as a rock star in a band. He plans to continue his education in fine arts after high school.

The history of how “The Wall” came about started about six years ago as a means to give artists a place to express themselves, and to also detour any defacing of private property around town.

Blackburn told local officials about his wall and wanted to make sure that these artists were given a place to contribute their artwork without persecution. He views those individuals as artists and not criminals. In fact, he has had the opportunity to converse with many of these artists and enjoys their stories and their remarkable artistry.

Blackburn is passionate about his wall and wishes that city government would recognize the expression of free speech and allow this art to be carried throughout designated areas in town, like local parks. This wall continues to gives artists the freedom to express themselves, and hopefully so for many more years to come. Every artist has their own story to tell and if walls could talk, “The Wall” would have plenty to say.