Murals, Metal and Miles

Greetings from Trinidad, Colorado! Day one marks the end of a long, beautiful, and tire-spinning first leg of a 2,500-mile journey. Over the next ten days, I’m helping my friend Penelope and her pup Lexie pack up their lives and make the big move to Seattle, Washington.

Anyone who has driven across West Texas knows that the horizon stretches out forever. It’s a test of endurance—but we decided to turn it into an art-hunting adventure. Instead of rushing through the emptiness, we broke up the drive by tracking down the vibrant, unexpected public art installations that call  west Texas prairie home. Turning the trip into a hunt  for art in the wild made the miles fly by and reminded us that inspiration is absolutely everywhere if you’re willing to take the exit.

Our very first stop was a deeply personal one for me: a detour into Bowie, Texas to see the famous giant Bowie knife. As a proud Volunteer from Arlington’s “old” Bowie High School(IYKYK), this stop was near and dear to my heart.

This absolute beast of a sculpture stands over 20 feet tall and weighs thousands of pounds. It was installed back in the spring of 2016 and has been  certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the single largest Bowie knife on the planet. Seeing it up close was the fun way to kick off our trip.

Here’s a question for you all: Do you view a giant monument like this as a legitimate piece of public art, or is it strictly a classic roadside attraction? Or maybe it’s a bit of both? Either way, it was fun to see in person! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Next up on the route was Quanah, Texas, to view The Last Comanche Chief. In a town that looks a bit worse for wear, this mural stands out as a bright spot. Painted in 2022 by Quanah Parker Burgess—a direct descendant of the Chief—this artwork brings the whole street to life. The background is filled with a dynamic sky and rolling clouds, creating a powerful setting for the Chief as he rides straight toward you. It’s an incredible mixture of public art and deep family heritage.

Our final destination for the day was Amarillo, where we actually made a double-feature stop.

First up was Slug Bug Ranch. To be completely honest, it feels like a knock-off of its more famous cousin, and it just fell flat for me. The real show in Amarillo is, of course, the legendary Cadillac Ranch.

Created back in 1974 by the San Francisco art collective Ant Farm and funded by local eccentric Stanley Marsh 3, this is public art at its absolute finest because it invites you in and demands that you interact with it.

Don’t worry if you forgot to bring your own spray paint—there are always half-empty cans laying around. 

With our spray-painting hands clean, we tackled the last leg of the day: cruising out through the Texas Panhandle, navigating the scenic climb around Raton Pass, New Mexico, and finally rolling into Trinidad, Colorado to catch some sleep.

We can’t wait to show you what’s next. See you tomorrow for some fun and exciting Colorado art!

Malin is a wood troll that resides in Pease Park (1100 Kingsbury St.) in Austin Texas. Malin was created by Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist who has built over 170 of these giants around the globe using recycled materials. While many of his trolls are found in North America and Europe, others have “wandered” as far as China, Australia, and South Korea. You can actually track sightings of her siblings through the interactive map at Trollmap.com.

What makes Malin especially delightful is the basin she holds in her hands. Known as Malin’s Fountain, it’s designed to collect rainwater—or water offered by visitors—to provide a drinking spot for birds and squirrels. It’s a beautiful reminder that public art can serve the community and nature at the same time. Dambo’s trolls are all spectacular, but Malin stands out as a personal favorite. Her craftsmanship is stunning—look closely at the detail in her necklace! Even her toenails are fabulous —but her true beauty lies in her function. She serves as a fountain of life, offering a drink to the small woodland creatures that call this park home. 

Visiting Malin is a true Austin adventure, but since the park is a popular local favorite, a little planning goes a long way.

Important Note for Art Adventurers: Malin is located about 1,200 feet north of the Kingsbury Commons parking lot along the Shoal Creek Trail. Just follow the signs for the “Troll Trek”—she’s tucked back in the trees, watching over the fountain.

While in Austin may I suggest Ramen Tatsu-Ya for a tasty meal. I love that they have several locations making it easy to pop in for a fantastic meal, it’s no wonder it remains one of my all-time favorites. Between the magic of Malin the Troll and a steamimg bowl of ramen, it really is the perfect way to spend a day exploring hte heart of Austin.

For this blog, public art is more than just a definition; it’s an invitation. It is art that will make you slow down, stop, and really look.   It’s the mural you find when you turn a sharp corner, the sculpture in a park that makes you walk around it twice, and the intricate metalwork, mosaics, and surprises that give a place its unique heartbeat.

Murals, Metal & Miles is about the art you find along the way—the pieces that are worth the stop, the detour, and sometimes even the trip itself.   Public art that reflects the community that it lives in, its history, culture and identity.

This is a collection of those places—the art that makes a town memorable and the unexpected beauty you can only find when you’re paying attention. Come share the adventure.