Blaine Fontana & David Rice
Despite some drizzly weather, Portland is looking a little more colorful this week. As of August 24th, the nonprofit mural festival Forest for the Trees, previously covered here, has been in high gear as 29 international artists work their magic on buildings across the city. The festival is co-directed by local artist Gage Hamilton and gallerist Matt Wagner of Hellion Gallery in Portland, who wanted to expand on their city’s visual identity through art. For its third year in a row, the project has a goal of creating 19 collaborative new murals by: Rustam Qbic, Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright, Michael Reeder, Low Bros, Andrew Hem, Josh Keyes, Michael Salter, Jade Rivera, Aaron Glasson, Celeste Byers, Spencer Keeton Cunningham & Jaque Fragua, Jenene Nagy, BMD, INSA, John Gourley, Zach Johnson, Gage Hamilton, Alex Peterson, Joram Roukes, Josh Doll, Blaine Fontana, David Rice, Zach Yarrington, Ola Volo, Nigamushi, and Olivia Knapp. Not only do their works add to the city’s personality, they also promote culture and diversity. This year’s participants hail from countries all over the world including Japan, Russia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, uniting with United States based and local artists. Imagine Blaine Fontana’s vibrant and graphical symbolism, next to Los Angeles based duo Low Bros’ hyper-stylized characters and a massive multimedia piece by trio Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder. While most completed their murals this week, others will continue to paint through the month of October. Take a look at more photos of their murals in progress below, courtesy of The Vera Firm and Forest for the Trees.
Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder
Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder
Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder
Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder
Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder
Olivia Knapp
Low Bros
Low Bros
Low Bros
Josh Keyes
Josh Keyes
Josh Keyes
Josh Keyes
Joram Roukes
Joram Roukes
Blaine Fontana & David Rice
Blaine Fontana & David Rice
Alex M. Peterson
Lithuanian artist 
Growing up in a small town in Poland, graffiti wasn't a big part of artist 
In the summer, the city of Vienna, Austria quiets considerably as renowned opera houses and classical institutions take a break from their year-round fanfare of traditional cultural ventures. But on the streets, a nascent art festival is making major waves despite this year only being its second iteration.