The property, located at number 39 on Blasco Ibáñez Street, had been abandoned for over a year, showing clear signs of deterioration. However, a local artist has taken up his brushes to bring it back to life and color, transforming the neighborhood's image with a project that has actively involved the community.
For the mural's creation, the artist drew inspiration from the anecdotes of older neighbors, who shared their memories of what the house's interior was like when it was inhabited. One resident recalled a beautiful balustrade leading to a vibrant Canary Islands garden, while another neighbor remembered windows adorned with potted plants that brightened the street.
With these contributions, the mural now features two windows overflowing with flowers, with cacti, hydrangeas, and strelitzias filling every corner. The partially open door invites viewers into a bright patio where a cat welcomes passersby, its gaze fixed on a small bird. A canary perched on the top of the door silently witnesses the hustle and bustle of this busy street, while a lush fern hangs from the ceiling. In the background, large plants complete the scene, creating an oasis in a neighborhood that only has the Estadio Insular as its green lung.
“"While I was painting, everyone had something to say, and now that it's finished, foreigners passing by take photos."
The mural's impact has been such that other neighbors have asked the artist to replicate his work on their own homes. One resident on Valencia Street, for example, has requested a mural with plants, trees, and bougainvillea. The artist, who has lived and worked in Las Alcaravaneras since 2009, has documented the mural's creation process on social media, where it has received widespread acclaim.
His passion for painting runs in the family, though he fully re-embraced it after his father's passing and his enrollment in the Escuela Luján Pérez in 1992. Since 1995, in addition to painting, he has taught classes and workshops in various municipalities on the island. After retiring from a logistics company, the artist opened his own studio, dedicating himself fully to his vocation and finding inspiration in his neighborhood and its surroundings. He is currently part of the Art Alcaravaneras Association, which has positioned the neighborhood as an artistic reference point.
