Gorgeous murals have been painted on the outside walls of restaurants and many other buildings in Boston, many done by artists of the "Mayor's Mural Crew." In their own ways they tell stories and illustrate aspects of life in the neighborhoods. Here are some in Boston's Jamaica Plain section. Too-long-to-photograph murals are presented here in sections.
JP institutions The Milky Way and the Bella Luna had to relocate to the fairly new brewery district of JP (go there also for the Samuel Adams Brewery tour and samples of superb beer). But this mural still adorns the wall where the popular nightclub and restaurant used to be in Hyde Square.
Four parts of a very long mural in a park near Hyde Square and the Stop & Shop. Note the Orange Line train.
Boylston Street mural of nearby Jamaica Pond
Unsurprisingly, these southwestern-motif murals are at the Purple Cactus Burrito Bar on Centre Street.
This Moraine Street beauty on the CVS corner depicts JP attractions that are "hidden in plain sight" within the mural.
I love this pair, just above, but haven't yet researched what is being depicted here. Maybe it's the Arboretum?
Exquisite still life is a treat for your eyes when you are enjoying coffee and pastry at an outdoor table at JP Licks.
Beauty salons are a feature of Hyde Square.
Around Jamaica Plain
January 20, 2010 on Paul Gore Street. 12 hours after victory by Republican Scott Brown in special election to elect a successor to longtime Senator Ted Kennedy. Doubtless much breakfast table talk on this snowy morning in Massachusetts about the importance of not taking voters for granted.
Triple Decker. The ubiquitous Boston beauty that has delighted many new occupants with its front porch, back porch, back yard, big kitchen, and crackling radiators in winter.
A few days before the opening of "An Ideal Husband" at the Footlight Club, America's oldest, continuously operating community theater.
Off South Street. Some murals are too beautiful for their locations. The dreamy vision of small animals frolicking by a lake at evening is on a small, darkish street and easy to miss.
More Murals Below
Centre Street near Sorella's. These small riots of color greet visitors to Hyde Square.
One of JP's most amazing murals depicting one of its most amazing events -- the annual October Lantern Parade around Jamaica Pond.
Pretty women just off Centre Street near Hyde Square. Note the muralist's green & yellow in these and in the dog-and-soda mural at right.
Along Centre Street
Near Forest Hills Station at the foot of Weld Hill Street.
Compelling mural at City Feed's spectacular new store on Centre Street.
Different JP establishments -- same attraction.
Boston is not entirely a flat city. From JP's Paul Gore Street to Cranston Street, parallel and close by, this is the view.
Favorite close-up from one of the murals above.
Not everyone's JP back yard is this gorgeous, but it's a humbling photograph for people who like to badmouth cities as hotbeds of crime, dirt and dark alleys for drug dealers.
The Pond in spring.
At the Arboretum.
What a difference a bush makes. Lakeville Road.
Cities have everything, including avid gardeners.
Doorkeeper, Paul Gore Street
Not usually seen -- detail about who painted the mural and when. Note the group's initials on shirts in the mural.
Upper floor decor -- J.P. Licks
Even a utility box ends up painted by one of JP's many artists. Historic Loring-Greenough House in background.
Not an easy one to photograph. Mural hidden, almost, by scaffolding in front of a Centre Street business.
Perkins Square. Peeking into the picture behind it is JP's out-of-character high-rise
It would take more than winter to make the Pond look bad.
My sentiments exactly! However, the guy who put these letters on the sidewalk probably meant the fire department or something. Barbara Street.
JP residential architecture
Sharon's flowers, Paul Gore Street
Along the border of one of JP's community gardens
Off Castle Island, the Queen Mary 2 arrives in Boston. Unfortunately we cannot say that this happened in JP.
Although September 11 was suitably observed in the city, life does go on. Connolly Branch of the Boston Public Library, Centre Street.
Now where am I going to put them all...
Back porch gardening -- a pleasure of Boston living.
A much-missed sight on Paul Gore Street, Peggy's tour bus. We loved her stickers -- Gravity is just a Theory. Caution: Driver Singing. Food with Dignity. And my favorite, When Words Fail, Music Speaks.
Spontaneous Celebrations, a community center for dining, dancing, lantern making and more. Danforth Street.
Some bike racks are more fun than others.
Same thing goes for business signs.
Above the door of the Blue Frog Bakery, its "mascot" greets customers.
Green Street.
Community Garden on the Corridor.
December morning on the Corridor.
If you like Irish names, Boston is a good place for you,
You can't really see Jamaica Pond from this cute Centre Street mural, but that's okay.
At December of 2011, a prayer for the new year -- by December of 2012, that all humans will be as nice as this little guy.
In JP as elsewhere, the beauty of weeds is often unappreciaed.
