Kim West

Wandering downtown on a sunny morning,

I happened upon this mural on the corner of 7th and Mill.

A story seemed to unfold across the matte gray facade.

A forest of pastels; an eagle flying with a poppy,

large iris-like petals,

 and a buck with pink and gold antlers drenched in twilight.

Kim West, the artist, was inspired by the building's location,

the border between The Arts District and Skid Row.  

West knew, "I wanted this mural to have the feeling of a sort of daydream,

the kind you might have on a road trip as a passenger:

 your eyes are shut but the sun is seeping through.

There is a vivid contrast between the darkness of closed eyes and the technicolor,

 over-real images that float with varying degrees of focus and blur."