This post will be about an alleyway coined "Blues Alley" 🎶🎷 Art in Deep Ellum, Dallas. This post will be only about the Blues Alley Art. A Deep Ellum post with all the goods - restaurants, things to do, shopping, etc will be coming soon! The murals in the alleyway are of famous Blues Musicians who had an important role in shaping the Blues world or more importantly Deep Ellum into what it was and has become. These murals were funded by the Deep Ellum Foundation. There is only two Blues Musician depicted that I do not know in Blues Alley # 1 and 9 - so, please let me know if you know the musician!
These murals can be found on Clover St - it is the alleyway between the Bomb Factory and an apartment complex. Clover St is between Commerce St and Canton St starting at Henry St and ending at S Malcolm X Blvd.
Blues Alley # 1
This is the first Blues Musician you will see along the Blues Alleyway but I'm not sure who he is. If you know - let me know!
Artist(s): Dan Colcer is a Transylvanian Artist who moved to the US in 2006 and to Dallas in 2008. He has several murals and pieces through out Dallas.(website: Dan Colcer instagram: @dcolcerart)
Blues Alley # 2
The musicians painted above are of Blind Lemon Jefferson and Blind Willie Johnson. Lemon was born and raised in Texas and moved to Dallas in 1917. He was the earliest and most prominent Blues figures in Deep Ellum. Willie was also born and raised in Texas but recorded his significant music in a studio in Deep Ellum in 1927.
Artist(s): Teal Suns is a Dallas based painter who specializes in paintings and murals. (instagram: @tealsuns)
Blues Alley # 3
This garage door shows a flashback of what Deep Ellum used to look like at the time of the prominent Blues movement. This mural is across the street from the two murals above.
Artist(s): Mari Pohlman, or better known as Marpohl. After leaving her corporate job she travelled for a year and spent the majority of the time sketching. She came back to Dallas ready to take on the art world and she's done just that! She's worked for the Dallas Mavericks, Lyft, and Heineken to name a few! (website: Marpohl instagram: @marpohl)
Blues Alley # 4
These are the Vaughan brothers - Jimmie (left) and Stevie Ray (right). Born and raised in Dallas and both became some of the most influential Blues musicians and modern day guitarists.
Artist(s): Ryan Stalsby graduated from the Art Institute of Dallas in 2006 and originally worked for a graphic design company before branching out to create paintings and murals. (website: Ryan Stalsby)
Blues Alley # 5
The above mural depicts: T-Bone walker aka Oak Cliff T-Bone, the first Blues Musician to incorporate and make the electric guitar the center of his music. His tricks with the electric guitar inspired another legend, Jimi Hendricks, who is obviously in the middle. And finally, on the right, Leon Bridges who was raised down the highway in Fort Worth, TX is a modern day Blues Musician.
Artist(s): Alfredo Piña is 1 Am the Walrus and is a Dallas based artist with murals scattered around Dallas. (website: 1atw instagram: @1amthewalrus)
Blues Alley # 6
This mural was inspired by Blind Lemon Jefferson's song, "Big Night Blues". The song talks about a night out with a wild woman and dancing until 12.
Artist(s): Hatziel Flores is a Dallas based artist who has murals scattered throughout DFW. Including a mural at Globe Life Field in section 101 that features Adolis Garcia and Corey Segar from the 2023 World Series. He also has a mural of the FC Dallas mascot in the FC Dallas weight room. (website: Hatziel Flores instagram: @hatziel)
Blues Alley # 7
This piece is located on the back of the Bomb Factory. To my knowledge the mural does not depict any specific Blues Musician.
Artist(s): Dora Reynosa born and raised in Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico and now calls Dallas home. She owns Strictly Murals and has successfully painted murals in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. She even did a collaboration with McDonalds for their Ritmo y Color campaign. (website: ByZeneth instagram: @byzeneth and @strictlymurals)
Blues Alley # 8
If you had a chance to look at Dan Colcer's other artwork you instantly recognize this mural was created by him. This woman needs no introduction in the Dallas scene but if you don't know, this is Erykah Badu. Erykah is Dallas native and has been nicknamed the Queen of Neo Soul. I'll never forget watching her preform live during the height of Covid with another Dallas native, The Loop Daddy, Marc Rebillet. This was during The Loop Daddy's Drive-In concert series, where you would go to a movie drive-in and watch from your car. The Loopy Daddy's music's is completely improvised so it was a real treat seeing them collaboratively improv together. This mural is also located on the back of the Bomb Factory.
Artist(s): Dan Colcer (website: Dan Colcer instagram: @dcolcerart)
Blues Alley # 9
Located on the back of the Bomb Factory next to Erykah Badu. Not sure who the musician is, so let me know!
Artist(s): Dan Colcer (website: Dan Colcer instagram: @dcolcerart)
Blues Alley # 10
The Blues Musician depicted above is Freddie King and his keyboardist, Lewis Stephens. Freddie is considered on of the Three Kings of Blues Guitar. Lewis Stephens has played with several famous bands and musician during his career. Including, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, and obviously Freddie King. The artist, Alec, decided to paint Freddie because "When asked why I chose Freddie King for this project the answer was simple: 'We came up the same'. Like me, Freddie King came to Dallas from Chicago seeking to make a name for himself and he brought the power of the city with him in his craft. He uses his powerful vocals in a way that perfectly compliments the TX blues flare." Which is what Alec tries to do with his artwork.
Artist(s): Alec DeJesus currently lives in Dallas and has murals scattered around the US. He is mainly self-taught in painting and according to his website he shifted to murals during the shut down due to Covid in 2020. (website: Alec De Jesus instagram: @youcancallmealec)
Blues Alley # 11
This mural is not of Blues Musician but rather the listening of Blues music.
Artist(s): Ebony Lewis has collaborated with several prominent Dallas based companies: DART and Neiman Marcus. She currently has a murals sprinkled throughout Dallas. (website: Ebony Lewis instagram: @ebonylewisart)
Blues Alley # 12
Love this cartoonish drummer jamming out in Deep Ellum.
Artist(s): Ozone - if you know this artist please let me know!
Blues Alley # 13
The mural above is of Tyrone Davis a pivotal Blues Musician with a career of hits spanning over 20 years. Tyrone Davis was chosen because the muralist, Martell, grew up listening to him.
Artist(s): Martell Holloway couldn't find much on Martell besides his instagram.(instagram: @artbymartell)
Blues Alley # 14
This lyrical piece is a great additional to keep you moving until the next mural.
Artist(s) Unknown.
Blues Alley # 15
The main Blues Musician shown is Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones. He is the one with the light shining down from his shirt collar. Andrew grew up in Dallas and was one of the guitarist for several prominent Blue's Musician before he became a solo artist in 1997. The other musicians I need some help with, so let me know!
Artist(s): Haztiel Flores. (website: Hatziel Flores instagram: @hatziel) I couldn't find much on Ray Albarez except he is prominent Dallas Graffiti Artist. (instagram: @albarez) Speaking of Graffiti Artists Jose May is another one you'll see through out Dallas. (website: Jose May instagram: @Joeskilz52)
Blues Alley # 16
The mural is of N'Dambi was born and raised in Dallas. She actually got her start as a back up singer for Erykah Badu. Her first album, "Little Lost Girls Blues" was recorded in Deep Ellum.
Artist(s): There's pretty much nothing Isaac Davies cannot do when it comes to art. He's even hosted workshops for kids at the Dallas Museum of Art. (website: Isaac Davies instagram: @izkart)
Blues Alley # 17
Henry Qualls was a Dallas guitar legend. He did not become famous until much later in life and only released one album.
Artist(s): Selena Mize is a Wichita Falls based artist. She has several notable murals in the Wichita Falls area. She even has a collab with Walmart when she creates murals designs for their stores. (website: Selena Mize instagram: @selenammize)
Blues Alley # 18
George "Buddy" Guy is # 27 of the greatest Guitarists according to Rolling Stone Magazine in 2023 not to mention he has won 8 Grammys.
Artist(s): Steve Hunter originally from the UK but his work brought him over to the US where he resides in Dallas. "Hunter Creates, a mural company that blends the Fine Arts talent of Steve Hunter design talent of Michelle Hunter to create murals and artwork for a unique visual experience for commercial or residential environments." (website: Hunter Creates instagram: @hunter_creates_murals)
Blues Alley # 19
This Zentangled Blues musician is Mance Lipscomb. Mance's real name is Beau De Glen Lipscomb but was given the name Mance short for emancipation by a family friend. Mance was born in 1895 but was not discovered until 1960.
Artist(s): Daniel I. Yanez incorporates doodles or zentangles in the majority of his work. Besides creating impressive art and murals he also owns, Elevate! Creative Studio. Currently, Elevate! Creative Studio is hosting the Mind of an Artist interview series. They will be interviewing a quite impressive group of artists across the fine arts realm. (website: Mindofanartist instagram: @artistdiy and @Elevate_dtx)
Blues Alley # 20
This awesome mural is of Lonnie Johnson who was the first musician to play the electrically amplified violin.
Artist(s): Jerod "DTox" Davies comes from a long line of artists. "His passionate approach at creating art is fueled by a deeply-rooted attraction for unconventional beauty. Heavily influenced by texture, his style is virtually impossible to categorize yet easy to describe, bold portraits, believable and surreal, direct yet ornate with a vibrant sarcasm." (website: thejerod instagram: @dtoxart)
Blues Alley # 21
Willard Robinson musical compositions have become the baseline for many modern Blues and Jazz songs. Several Jazz and Pop artists have covered his songs.
Artist(s): Steve Hunter (website: Hunter Creates instagram: @hunter_creates_murals)
Blues Alley # 22
The guitarist is Shawn James who sings a range of music from Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Rock, and Metal. The other musician is Albert Collins who was most known for his distinctive guitar style. He used altered tunings and a capo to make his sound.
Artist(s): Joe Iurato created the Shawn James mural. Joe is a New Jersey based artist has amazing portrait murals scattered throughout the US. His resume includes impressive collabs with Nike, the NFL, Red Bull, ESPN to name a few. (website: Joe Iurato Art instagram: @joeiurato). Nick Anderson created the Albert Collins mural. Nick graduated from the Pratt Institute in 2015 and has worked with major companies since. He has done several murals around Dallas since 2017. (website: Nick Design This instagram: @yvngmichelangelo)
Blues Alley # 23
The poem above is by Rawlins Gilliland who is a world famous poet who is a Dallas native.
Artist(s): Steve Hunter (website: Hunter Creates instagram: @hunter_creates_murals)
The rest of the Blues Alley murals are located across S Crowdus St towards S Malcolm X Blvd.
Blues Alley # 24
A perfect welcome to the other side of Blues Alley.
Artist(s): Lauren Lewchuk is a Texas based artist who has several murals around Dallas. She is a self-taught artist who "he creates detailed and elaborate compositions that are heavily inspired by nature, specifically micro-organisms and nature macro-photography". (website: art by Lewchuk instagram: @art_by_lewchuk)
Blues Alley # 25
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was the first recording star of gospel music. She is considered "the godmother of Rock and Roll" and "the original soul sister". She was the pioneer to her guitar technique - she was one of the first artists to use a heavy distortion on her electric guitar. She influenced major modern day rock and roll musicians: Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Eric Clapton.
Artist(s): Desiree Vaniecia is a Dallas contemporary artist who uses a mixture of Art Nouveua and Renaissance art in her style. (website: Desireé Vaniecia instagram: @desireevaniecia)
Blues Alley # 26
Hoping to get back out to Deep Ellum soon to update these pictures! Since cars were blocking the mural it was hard to photograph.
Artist(s): James Moore not only does impressive murals but studied to be a tattoo artist. When he isn't doing murals he's busy tattooing people by appointment only. (website: JDMoore Portfolios instagram: @jdmooreportfolios)
Blues Alley # 27
No introduction needed for this guy! Ray Charles who is hands down one of the most iconic modern day Blues Musicians. Considered "The Genius" by many contemporary musicians.
Artist(s): Sanah Brown-Bowers has lived in Fort Worth for the last twenty years after moving from Queens, New York. "Central to her artistic narrative is the exploration of Black joy and nostalgic moments from the 80s, skillfully weaving together elements of pop art, fantasy, and her imaginative spirit." (website: Sanah Brown-Bowers instagram:@sanahbrownbowers)
Blues Alley # 28
On the left we have Sam Myers who began his career as a drummer for Elmore James. After playing drums he moved into singing Blues and became well known for his harp playing. Johnny Winter is on the right who was listed as # 63 out of 100 greatest guitar players in Rolling Stone in 2023. Known for his producing, guitar skills, and vocals winning several grammy throughout his career.
Artist(s): Frank Campagna well known muralist and Dallas native. He currently owns Kettle Art Gallery off Main St in Deep Ellum. (website: Frank Campagna)
Blues Alley # 29
Ma Rainey or as many know her as the "Mother of Blues" is depicted above. This piece is facing Crowdus St/the Blues Alley # 27 mural.
Artist(s): Michelle Dekkers is a Dallas based artist who has definitely left her mark with several murals throughout the city. (website: Art & Design by Dekks instagram: @artndesignbydekks)
Blues Alley # 30
Big Mama Thornton who is most well known for being the first person to record "Hound Dog" which was originally written for her! The song later was re-recorded most famously by Elvis.
Artist(s): Ebony Lewis (website: Ebony Lewis instagram: @ebonylewisart)
Blues Alley # 31
Starting left to right we have the iconic cacti work of Wheron. Speaking of iconic, next we have Chadwick Murray. When you think of current Dallas Blues you think of Erykah Badu, N'Dambi, and of course Chadwick. Chadwick died unexpectedly in 2021 at the young age of 45 due to a pre-existing pulmonary condition. He was in several bands in Dallas including The Bastards of Soul for which he was most famous for. Lastly we have Wanda King, the daughter of Blues legend, Freddy King (who is depicted in mural Blues Alley # 10). Wanda has made a name for herself in the Blues world and calls North Texas her home.
Artist(s): Haylee Ryan who painted Chadwick Murray, is a Dallas native who is an artist and musician. She is also an elementary art teacher in Dallas ISD. Fun fact, Chadwick actually played with Haylee in her band, Sister The Band. So, no better person to honor him than someone who played and sang with him. (website: hayleeryanart instagram: @hayleeryan). The second artist here is Will Heron aka Wheron born and raised in Dallas is a AP Art teacher in northwest Dallas. He "always had dreams of being a "professional color-er” which is ironic because I mostly stick to a monochromatic black & white pallet." Wheron has several murals and public art scattered through out Dallas. (website: wheronart instagram: @wheron) The final artist, LaShonda Cooks focuses on creating her murals and art using pointillism. Her main focus of art is portraiture. She has an art blog on her website and does an art club in Dallas. (website: Shondas Art instagram: @shondrasart)
Map It
Saw something that caught your eye and wanna know its exact location or need directions? Click on the points to find the art or place you're looking for, find the best parking, get directions to the exact spot, etc. Or want to add art? Double click on the map where the artwork is and create a point. I will find it, photograph it, and update your point and the blog. Or if the artwork is no longer there leave a comment for this post.
When & Where?
Deep Ellum has always had a rougher vibe but has been trying to make a came back for several years now. The come back is going fairly strong especially now that COVID has taken a back seat. The area, especially on the weekends is packed and hard to find parking. If you go there early during the day or on Sunday mornings its fairly easy to find parking and walk around. If you decide to go early or stay late bring a buddy; this is still downtown Dallas and can give off a sketchy vibe if you aren't used to the area.
Address:
Blues Alley is located on Clover St between the intersections of Henry St and S Malcolm X Blvd. Since half the murals are the back of The Bomb Factory I suggest typing that into your GPS.
Transportation
There is a DART Station conveniently located outside of Deep Ellum & is called The Deep Ellum Station. You can also take the DART to the Baylor Station and walk a few blocks to Deep Ellum. If you want to get to Deep Ellum from any DART station make sure to take the DART Green Line. There are several bus stops in Deep Ellum that you can be dropped off or hop on at. Click here for bus, rail, and trolley/streetcar routes and schedules.
Parking
Lots
These parking lots are the closet to Blues Alley and make getting to Blues Alley real easy!
Parking at The Stack in the garage located at the intersection of Henry St and Commerce. This is the closet parking to the Blues Alley.
Parking lot on Commerce St facing Cane Rosso and Henry St.
Parking lot located behind Cane Rosso - easiest way to get there is to turn on Canton St from the underneath the highway and you'll see the parking lot entrance on the left hand. Or you can turn on Henry St and turn on Clover St going away from Blues Alley until you get to the parking lot underneath the highway.
Parking lot facing Commerce St behind Pecan Lodge BBQ at Crowdus St and Commerce St.
Parking garage at the intersection of S Malcolm X Blvd and Canton St.
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