Umpqua Fox Tower Mural


My latest collaboration with Umpqua Bank was to create artwork for their new Fox Tower store windows while construction was taking place. Eschewing the standard construction site graphics of some big type declaring “coming soon”, we opted for a truly Portland vignette by putting a bird on it.

Helping customers attain their goals and dreams and tending to their finances as a part of that was visualized through a bird finding home to its nest, which was carefully being watched. A hand drawn script reinforced Umpqua’s friendly and conversational message: what’s your dream? here to help…

Mural and hand drawn type for Umpqua Bank's new Fox Tower store.
Mural and hand drawn type for Umpqua Bank’s new Fox Tower store.

Capturing large scale work is a feat when competing with construction, Max lines running by, the strange appearance of Portland sun glancing off the glass clad building, and crowds constantly walking by. But I did get this shot of a hungry luncher walking by one of the window sections.

Somebody is eating for two. Director Park side of the facade, featuring the nest egg.
Somebody is eating for two. Director Park side of the facade, featuring the nest egg.

Much of my work is smallish – books, shoeboxes, beer bottles, iPhone covers, t-shirts. Even vending machines are kind of person-sized. But a 50 foot wide illustration is…big. Creating a piece that was both complex enough to be interesting but simple enough to read well was a good challenge, and reinforced the sage advice applicable for anybody working in making real things: measure twice, cut once.

Building mock-up of the mural artwork.
Building mock-up of the mural artwork.

The new store opens March 9th (today!) and will soon host its first event featuring small Portland businesses and their founders speaking on how they got their start. Find the Fox Tower bank online at: umpquabank.com/foxtower, or come to their first event…

Don’t Quit Your Daydream
Portland Entrepreneurs Overcome Their Doubts
Visit the new store for inspiring start-up stories and exceptionally tasty Breakside brews and Cheese & Crack snacks. The event is on Thursday, March 19 from 6:00-7:00pm at 750 SW Yamhill Street. Get tickets online.

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