Mural artist to paint storage container

"Messy, untimely and completely out of the box" is how artist Jackson Hendrickson describes himself. Using spray paint as his medium, some might see him as a "graffiti" artist, though Hendrickson believes a lot of the terminology gets lost in translation and "graffiti" is often used as the go-to word; rather, he sees what he does as mural artwork. His art helps "get the boring out of the walls," and gives people something to look at.

At a recent meeting, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce approved a motion for Hendrickson to paint a storage container behind the State Park Headquarters. The Chamber will not provide him with the paint, but will give him some online exposure.

Hendrickson began working with spray paint about 18 months ago, inspired by mural artists Banksy and Kansas City artist Donald Ross Scribe. The owner of construction site dreamdeckspert.com, he noted the paint he uses - Rustoleum 2X - could actually seal decks and fences.

Those who have seen Hendrickson's work might describe it as a bit toward the cartoonish side, but he pointed out that, growing up in Worland, one of his favorite things to do was come to Thermopolis, and he remembered seeing some cartoon artwork on the underpass of the state park entrance.

Hendrickson is always fascinated to see the murals go up, and said they go miles in terms of inspiring people to get off their phones and tablets and develop their own creativity. When he first started putting them up in Worland - there are over 30 now - he had a couple that went well. When he did the elementary school, however, he caused something of a traffic jam due to the number of parents who were stopping to watch him work.

Later, he received several online messages from parents as well, expressing their appreciation because their children were picking up drawing pads rather than iPads. Knowing he was making that kind of impact on the community was an inspiration.

Nine out of 10 times Hendrickson does a mural, it is because he has reached out to someone for the opportunity. He will approach schools, community centers and chambers of commerce initially, before asking private business owners.

For the most part, Hendrickson works with the Grin Foundation, which he explained utilizes art to bring about community development, and bolsters art in public education. Proceeds from his murals are helping to establish the foundation as a non-profit, as he would ultimately like to file for state and federal grants, which could then provide for city and school murals.

He applauded the work done for the foundation by Pam Greek, the regional director of the Big Horn Basin for the foundation, noting she is "a phenomenal artist and a great person."

Hendrickson said he would most likely paint the Chamber container in the fall, and he has mentioned the possibility of doing some lectures with the schools.