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Everything You Don’t Know About the Best Murals in Austin

February 15, 2018 by Jackson Prince 33 Comments

Til Death Do Us Part Austin Mural

‘Til Death Do Us Part by Federico Archuleta, located at East 7th Street and Waller Street

It feels like nearly every block of Austin has some giant expression of creativity blasted against its walls for the world to see.

Most murals appear suddenly, in places you wouldn’t expect: on a downtown high-rise, against the back side of a coffee shop, in an abandoned alleyway behind a dumpster.

It’s part of Austin’s murals’ mystique and glory. No descriptions, no special lighting, no rules against touching. Which makes me wonder…How did you get up there, frog? Who made you? What are you trying to tell me with those big, kind eyes?

After some digging, I found answers. In this article, I break down the inspiring histories behind four of the best murals in Austin, all of them well-known and time-tested.

Because four is just scratching the surface, there’s also a gallery of my other favorite murals at the end. Enjoy!

Jeremiah the Innocent

Jeremiah the Innocent Austin Mural

Jeremiah the Innocent (Credit: Mike Rastiello via Flickr CC)

Known to many as the charming “Hi, How Are You?” frog, this simple image, often incorrectly perceived as graffiti, is an icon of the Austin music scene.

Daniel Johnston first raised Jeremiah to local fame when he put this friendly frog on the cover of his 1983 album “Hi, How Are You: The Unfinished Album.” It wasn’t until 10 years later–1993–that Sound Exchange record store commissioned Johnston to make a mural of his music. Jeremiah has been bright-eyed and bearded (I like to think it’s a beard) ever since.

However, it hasn’t been all lily pads for Jeremiah.

In 2004, Sound Exchange went out of business and Baja Shrimp moved in with the intent to remove the mural from their wall. Disgruntled locals rallied together and pleaded with the managers of the restaurant to keep Jeremiah there, citing his historical resonance within the local community. The pressure from neighbors proved too much. Baja Shrimp evacuated the building, leaving Jeremiah untouched.

David Roberts, owner of Thai Spice which currently occupies the building at the corner of 21st Street and Guadalupe, has witnessed the impact Austin’s most lovable amphibian has had on his business’ success. Roberts decided to pay licensing fees for use of the image, thus securing Jeremiah’s good vibes in perpetuity.

How am I, Jeremiah? To quote the lyrics of Johnston, your creator, I’m happy “some things last a long time.” You being one of them.

W. 21st Street and Guadalupe Street

Greetings From Austin

Greetings from Austin graffiti

Greetings From Austin (Credit: Yulia Dyukova)

There are few streets with more character than South 1st. Local businesses abound. Bright colors, food trucks, vintage clothing–the neighborhood is alive. The cherry on top is this beautiful rendition of an iconic Austin postcard, “Greetings From Austin.”

The Austin mural was initially painted in 1998 by artist Todd Sanders, owner of Roadhouse Relics. Sanders and his friend Roy Skagen intended to add color to a neighborhood that was, at the time, taking a turn for the worse.

Twenty years later and “Greetings From Austin” is still shining, as vibrant as ever after being restored in November 2013. The beauty of that restoration was the result of contributions from the local community. In August 2013, Sanders launched the restoration project along with Skagen and Creative Action Color Squad. In just two months’ time, they maxed out their donation goal of $10,000.

Today, the mural is as photo-worthy as it’s ever been. So much so that on a warm day (or even a cold day), you may have to do a bit of standing in line for a shot in front of this well-loved wall.

1720 S. 1st St.

You’re My Butter Half

You're My Butter Half Austin Mural

You’re My Butter Half (Credit: Lane Becker via Flickr CC)

Since 1924, United Way of Greater Austin has been supporting the local community, by leading the effort against poverty and providing resources to families in need.

In 2012, as part of the organization’s rebranding efforts, the team unveiled this brilliant token to positivity and unity. Local designer John Rockwell of Creative Suitcase (now part of Mighty Citizen) provided the inspiration for the design. He and the whole Creative Suitcase team volunteered two days of their time to the completion of this meaningful and fun piece of street art that still adorns the wall of the United Way property.

With its particularly charming text, “You’re My Butter Half” has become a common spot for sweethearts to snap a photo. Unlike “Greetings From Austin,” which may require some fast fingers and finagling, this mural is out of the way of traffic and boasts a lush green lawn at its base. This makes it the perfect spot for a few-minute photo sesh–jumps, hugs, kisses, and all.

2000 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.

“i love you so much”

I Love You So Much Street Mural Austin

i love you so much (Credit: ms.akr via Flickr CC)

In 2010, local musician Amy Cook took a can of red spray paint and wrote this five-word love letter to her partner, majority owner of Jo’s Coffee, Liz Lambert.

The sentiment quickly went viral. In the near-decade since the mural’s inception, the stylings of Amy Cook have become iconic to Austin. The words are widely featured on local hats and shirts, now shared between family members and friends around the world.

Its reputation has only strengthened, despite the efforts of ne’er-do-wells over the years. In at least three separate instances, the “i love you so much” mural has been vandalized. But the infantile damage has never lasted long. The message of love has prevailed, with the Austin mural always quickly restored to its original spirit.

Today, waiting for a chance to step in, smile with a loved one, and step out for some hot coffee and good food, the crowd that lingers outside Jo’s Coffee is a spectacle in and of itself.

History aside, the infamous “i love you so much” mural has become as much a sentiment from locals to the city, as it has been from each of us to another.

Explosion of Austin Street Art

There are so many beautiful murals in Austin. This is a short list of the classics. If you’ve got a favorite, don’t hesitate to tell us about it in a comment.

Here are some of my personal favorites (click for larger version).

6th Street and Waller Street
1300 E. 4th St.
800 E. 4th St.
800 E. 4th St.
912 E. 11th St.

1310 E. 6th St.
1500 E. 6th St.
1623 E. 7th St.
807 E. 4th St.
914 N. Lamar Blvd.

Red River between 5th and 6th Streets
Aurora Drive and West Koenig Lane
222 E. 6th St.
Red River between 6th and 7th Streets
223 E. 6th St.

108 W. 43rd St.
Support Austin Grocery Stores
1215 Chicon St.
12th Street and Chicon Street

@theAustinot wants to know:

Can you share the story of another iconic mural in Austin?

Jackson Prince minored in English in college and is working hard to prove its worth. He works in film, but, more importantly, he is undefeated at laser tag. 

 

The first version of this article was published Oct. 28, 2013.

Everything About Best Murals in Austin

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Filed Under: Activities, Arts, Culture, Discoveries Tagged With: street art

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Comments

  1. Rafael Marquez says

    October 28, 2013 at 10:25 am

    You forgot the big Welcome To Austin mural on the east facing side of the building at the corner of 6th and I-35.

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    • EricHighland says

      October 28, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      Rafael, agreed that there are many more awesome murals that could be mentioned. As Cris stated in her article, these are “… a handful of the best murals in Austin.” Hope you enjoyed the article.

      Log in to Reply
  2. United Way for Greater Austin says

    October 28, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Thanks for featuring our mural – it’s amazing how it’s taken off!

    We compiled a list of all the couples who had taken photos there back in Feb. (http://www.unitedwayaustin.org/02/2013/butter-half-sets-the-scene-for-austins-couples/ ) but the list has grown so much since then, it’s really touching.

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  3. will says

    October 28, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    matthew rodrgiuez’s cereal mural? on the southwest corner of guadalupe and 25th. is it still there? http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodriguez/4913308944/

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    • Brittany Highland says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:47 am

      Still there as far as I know, @9ee0986547910df863e11bdb3966abe0:disqus! May need a UT student to chime in who walks by every day. 🙂

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    • Austin Tex says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:39 am

      Unfortunately, when the shitty mellow mushroom chain kicked out Legs Diamond and took over this property there was already an iconic mural on this wall that featured portraits of many of Austin’s artist’s and musicians. Although this mural may be clever it’s not iconic. To me it’s a symbol of what happens all too often in Austin. People move here and take what is “Austin” and replace it with chain restaurants and their own ideas of what’s “cool”, which is pretty much just California crap.

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  4. Sherwin Wiliams says

    October 28, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    We’ve always been partial to the Nintendo mural on east 6th in front of The Brixton. #CoverTheEarth

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  5. Cris Mueller says

    October 28, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Thanks all for the feedback! I love the further suggestions and I know there are countless murals around town people want to know about so keep the comments coming! Thanks for the read.

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  6. Sharon Goodman says

    January 30, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Took this one on East 5th Street last October (2013) on the 6th Annual Kelby Worldwide PhotoWalk.

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  7. Claudia Zapata says

    January 30, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    “Wonderful, Amazing, Stunning, Phenomenal Fiesta” by the Puro Chingon Collective in the Alley entrance of Red 7 in Downtown Austin

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    • Brittany Highland says

      January 31, 2014 at 11:16 am

      Love all the photos, Claudia! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. mary says

    February 12, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    You forgot to include the actual address of I love you so much so we wouldn’t have to look it up since not all people of Austin and the surrounding area go down to the long and winding South Congress area on a regular basis…

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    • Brittany Highland says

      February 13, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Hey @mary, Jo’s Coffee (home to the “i love you so much” wall) is at 1300 S. Congress. Enjoy!

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  9. Augusta says

    March 5, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    Hi @crismueller:disqus,

    I’m just wondering where you got your information on the history of the Jo’s Coffee Shop’s “I Love You So Much” graffiti art? I think that’s a great story, and want to be able to include information in a locative media project.

    Augusta

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    • Cris Mueller says

      March 6, 2014 at 12:53 am

      Hello Augusta – based on stories from Jo’s Facebook page, online research, including a page dedicated to the memory of the wall (after it was vandalized), and more, this was the culmination to a great story. Feel free to message me on Twitter if you have more questions. @crismueller:disqus

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  10. Tiffany says

    March 21, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    I honestly wish they would do something more innovative with the murals in Austin. I’ve seen the “I love you so much” mural a hundred times on facebook.

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  11. emily says

    January 16, 2015 at 10:10 am

    http://www.freefuninaustin.com/2014/03/austin-mural-locations.html#.VLk2m2TF_Ak

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  12. Clif Blanchard says

    March 17, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    The Varsity Theater wall at 24th and Guad,

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  13. squatty says

    April 14, 2015 at 9:39 am

    austin kitsch…. it’s bad.

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  14. Ario Johnson says

    July 1, 2020 at 12:35 am

    WOW! food wall murals looks incredible, the food and places – gorgeous!. Thanks for sharing!

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  15. Meredith says

    July 1, 2020 at 12:34 am

    – the Mr. Rogers mural outside HomeSlice

    – the I Love Bacon So Much behind what was formerly Sputnik Austin

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