Monday, July 25, 2011

Let There Be Whales

The scene is the Marketplace Design Center, 2400 Market Street, Philadelphia. The date is march 2, 1985. The photographer (Dale W. Woodland) stood across the Schuylkill River near the 30th Street train station and the Philadelphia U.S. Post Office Building to take this shot. The train is on the Baltimore and Ohio tracks that will take it under the Philadelphia Art Museum in just a few moments.

train passing the front of a very plain building

Robert Wyland (born 1956), known simply as Wyland, is an artist best known for painting large, outdoor murals of whales and other ocean life. He has painted 100 or more of these huge murals. He painted a mural on this "blank canvas" (WW42) and titled it, 'East Coast Humpbacks'. It is 125 Feet Long x 130 Feet High. It was dedicated on July 19, 1993.

the same building after the mural was painted showing serval whales swimming on a blue background filled with tuna fish
They have added a walkway down to a very pleasant walking path along the river. The train tracks are still there too, hidden behind the walkway.

I walked over the bridge that carries Market Street over the river (with trepidation) to get a closer shot.

close up of brilliant whale swimming deep blue water
You can see his other awesome murals at the Whaling Wall.

I've seen WW26 on the side of a K-Mart, in Marathon, Florida Keys. I know someone that is fond of WW43 is in Wildwood, New Jersey. WW86 features a Manatee. Is there one near you?

21 comments:

Furry Bottoms said...

He used to have a store and work in Laguna Beach, CA! The father of a friend of mine in high school used to work there. He has a lot of beautiful work everywhere!

Parsley said...

Oh my gosh...that is beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Those are amazing! Next time I get to Dallas, I am going to see the mural they have there. =)

Anonymous said...

Awesome! :)

Anonymous said...

Sadly I know of none near me but I have always been a fan of his work. I love whales and dolphins and I actually used to collect them. That Mural is beautiful and I love the spot it is in thanks so much for sharing it Iggy HUGS!!

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

That mural is beautiful. You can alomost smell the ocean. Philadelphia is a city I have not visited, but would like to. Point me to an Art Museum and I'm happy as can be.

Deanna said...

Wow! Absolutely real to life. I wish there was one near me, but not even close. I guess I'm going to have to do some traveliing, huh :)

HUGS!

AliceKay said...

I love Wyland and his artwork, as you well know. I love dolphins and whales. This one is beautiful. I hope to see it in person one day. Maybe you can be my tour guide. :)

The one in Wildwood has been on my mind for a long time. :)

ChicagoLady said...

Beautiful! I want a manatee! In fact, I put the manatee picture back as my wallpaper on my computer. Love seeing it every time I get on the computer. Too bad I won't have time to cruise southern CA in a couple weeks to go see some in person.

Far Side of Fifty said...

I follow a gal in Canada that wrote about this..she is on my side bar at my main blog..under Dogs Blogs Karen at Wyndson Farms. There is a mural in Whit Rock..July 22 if you care to look.
This fellow obviously was a wonderful painter..I am sure there are none near me.

What a beautiful scene this is..and you braved the bridge just for the photo:)

Queenie Jeannie said...

So life like!! That's amazing!

Rita said...

Had not heard of him. You are always teaching me something with the interesting things you share. The closest one to me in at the new big zoo in Minneapolis. I was happy to know they have one of his murals there. They are truly amazing! I can see why you braved a bridge to get a closer look and pic. ;)

Texas Gal said...

Wow That is awesomely beautiful! Next time James and I get up there we will have to visit the art museum (if you and I feel up to the walk/wheelchair ride/lol)

Karen said...

As you now know, there is one near me:) I like how yours can be viewed from many vantage points. The one I'm familiar with is sort of hidden away, but it's a pleasant surprise when it suddenly appears as you are driving down the street.
Thanks for stopping by:)

LadyStyx said...

I love murals like that.

Yankee Girl said...

I have seen the one in Chicago and the one in Mexico City. I love how they stick out from everything else that surrounds them.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've ever seen any around here- I'll have to ask Alyson where ours is. I could never imagine trying to paint something that huge- he must be incredibly talented!

Mary said...

I have seen a few of these at the coast. Truly wonderful!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

We were at the Wyland Wall and art gallery in Laguna Beach, CA last weekend. Very cool stuff.

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

We were at the Wyland Wall and art gallery in Laguna Beach, CA last weekend. Very cool stuff.

yellowdoggranny said...

wow..how beautiful