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(Captain Morgan)
Efren Rebugio, an Austin-based artist, leaned on influences from the city to paint a mural in collaboration with Captain Morgan for its new sliced apple spiced rum.
The mural, located at 2301 Manor Road, pictures a stream of rum flowing from a bottle to a shot glass that slices through a green apple and reads, "There's more fun to be had."
Rebugio said he "wanted to portray the wonderful people of Austin" with this mural. Beyond the people, he featured cacti and grackles, both found in abundance throughout Austin.
In late August, Captain Morgan chose five artists from five different cities to celebrate their communities.
They used a simple internet search to single out Rebugio as one of the most talented artists in Austin, and subsequently contacted him to see if he would serve as the art director for its planned mural.
"(Rebugio's) murals rarely feature a single straightforward subject, something that's especially evident in the mural he created for Captain Morgan. Something new catches your eye every time you look at it," said Sam Salameh, a Captain Morgan representative.
Rebugio accepted the opportunity and took a little over a month to complete the planning and painting.
"I was super excited to work with Captain Morgan. They really wanted to showcase a spirit of community," Rebugio said.
Rebugio's work has appeared across the country in places like California, Tennessee and Florida, as well as internationally in Toronto and Costa Rica.
Like many across the world, the pandemic has severely impacted the artist's work.
Rebugio likes to incorporate a live component into his art by painting in front of an audience. He has done six live painting shows during SXSW and five during Austin City Limits Music Festival. He had plans to produce more art during SXSW 2020 prior to its cancellation.
"It has definitely been a challenge this year," Rebugio said.
He has stayed busy by focusing on his studio, doing freelance graphic design work and learning how to make electronic dance music.
He has also managed to recreate the environment of a live show in his backyard, partnering with DJs to host backyard jam sessions. During the sessions, a DJ plays music while he paints.
"I'm just rolling with the punches, being positive and staying safe," Rebugio said.
The mural joins a recent wave of fresh paint on East Austin's walls, including the new mural honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.More on murals:
East Austin gains new Ruth Bader Ginsburg mural with community help
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
Fernandez-Whitechurch provided materials for people and families in nearby neighborhoods to participate in the creation of the mural. Donations for Planned Parenthood were also collected at the project site.
Ginsburg, who was the second woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, died on Sept. 18 due to pancreatic cancer. Fernandez-Whitechurch told KXAN she wanted to create something that would inspire everybody and honor Ginsburg's legacy.
The mural is located on the side of Agave Print, a partly woman-owned business. Co-owner Lauren Jaben said she was happy to let Fernandez-Whitechurch use the side of the building.
"We're a 50% woman-owned business and Sole's business is women-run, so it just seemed like a natural subject for the wall," Jaben said. "We're happy to have it here to inspire everybody, especially the ladies."
More on murals:
'If HE can’t breathe, then WE can’t breathe': East Austin mural in tribute to police brutality victims completeFrom Your Site Articles
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