~ Transitions ~
The Blackstone District was an area I remembered passing through in my childhood first living in Omaha. The buildings on Farnam street and the houses around the area was something that I noticed that is distinct about this area of Omaha. Since then, I had not been back until the opportunity was presented by the Blackstone Business Improvement District to paint the mural. I set out to rediscover what I missed for so long, to draw inspiration by taking a few strolls with my sketchbook and talking to the people that live there that are a part of the community as well. I would often sit on a bench then sketch, taking in as much of the environment as I could. Fully immersing myself with it and capturing the energies that Blackstone was giving me.
The neighborhood landscape has been steadily changing through time and the growth has been seen and felt by those I talked with. In my research of its history, I saw that it has gone through various phases from its foundation of the Gold Coast to the present day. The mix of the old mansions hidden between luscious trees surrounding the area and new buildings, inspired me in the vision of the mural. It led me to realize that one constant presence in the area has always been nature, especially the trees. Birds also have many positive meanings across many cultures and have close association with humans. I wanted to symbolize this lively community as different types of birds from all over the world living in trees to represent the diversity in the area.
From left to right, the mural design follows Blackstone through the imagery of trees and birds. Mainly symbolizing the growth and transitions from the past, present, and future and how they connect. Through the corn fields, a falcon looks into the future as development of the area’s growth thanks to the Golden Spike kickstarting the area known as the Gold Coast. The yellow tile like background is a representation of the area from a bird’s eye view. The trees with the characteristics of buildings built in that time like the Joselyn Castle, Blackstone Hotel, and Storz mansion. Various birds shown in flight, landing, dancing, and flocking their colorful wings and perched majestically filling the branches of the trees. Birds in nests symbolizing those that established themselves and their family in the area and the birds flying represent freedom, encouragement and advancing through its challenges. The swans represent the love and peace generated in the area, as well as a symbol for its resilience in trying times with spiritual strength.
Another prominent spiritual symbol is the hummingbird which represents strength and love and is said to be able to travel between realms in Aztec belief. The hummingbird also serves to help pollinate the flowers to encourages growth. The tree on the far right represents mother nature and her protection, nurturing and healing of the area. With a baby hummingbird in her hand, it serves as a spiritual collector. The humming bird flies into the present and feeds off of the energy we feed it, by sending both back into the future.
Mother nature and its correlation with us, with the amount of space in between the mural, symbolizes the hope and room for growth in the future. The red cardinal perched on the tree also serves as a symbol for hope and spiritual guidance looking into the future. The family of ducks also symbolize the need to advance through obstacles and sticking together in times of discouragement and uncertainty. The Quetzal symbolizes the fight for freedom and the spiritual connection we share with nature. The winds in the background represent refashioning of nature depicted in Aztec glyphs of speech. The Winds of change help guide our transitions through life, as if they were voices from our past encouraging us forward to a better future. This is how my vision was inspired by the people, by nature, and by the history.
About The Artist:
Jair is an artist born in Mexico City, based in Omaha, NE. He received a Bachelor's degree in graphic design in 2014 from Bellevue University and started doing murals in 2010 drawing inspiration from family and classic Mexican muralists after getting his degree.