Fine Art, San Francisco, CA

Murals

Murals

“The Water’s Journey”: Street mural at Landing at Leidesdorff spanning two blocks. With the Transamerica Tower in the background, its bold blues evoke the ocean's movement, creating a dynamic, pedestrian-friendly space in downtown San Francisco. Commissioned by Downtown SanFrancisco Partnership.

Water's Journey Mural-TransAmerica Tower

“Excelsior Neighborhood History” is a four-wall mural project that weaves together themes of local history and ecology to celebrate community identity and deepen the sense of place. The imagery layers the natural ecosystem with human histories, reminding viewers of the importance of conservation and cultural interdependence. Commissioned by Bridge Housing. Dimensions: 1,100 sq. ft (4 walls total)  Location: 4840 Mission St, San Francisco, CA

The first wall portrays a young Ohlone boy embarking on a journey to recover his ancestors’ wisdom, set within a landscape of water, whales, pelicans, and the endangered Black-Billed Magpie. This scene reflects the Ohlone’s enduring harmony with the natural world.

“Labradores de esperanza”, San Mateo, California

One of two interior murals commissioned by Pen Housing, which celebrates Bay Area farmworkers' past and present contributions. It highlights their vital role as food growers and environmental stewards, with birds emerging from their labor—a symbol of their deep connection to nature.

Dimensions: 436 sq ft (2 walls, 1 of 2 walls shown below) Location: Kiku Crossing Building, Downtown San Mateo

“Battery Bridge Mural”, Downtown San Francisco

Estuary in Motion” is the first asphalt mural project in San Francisco. The free-forms and varying shades used in this piece are inspired by the landscape colors and forms found in the Pacific Ocean, forests, farmlands, marshes, and shrublands that make up the estuary along the Point Reyes National Seashore. Commissioned by Downtown San Francisco in partnership with Tishman Speyer. Dimensions: 2425 sq ft (1900 sq ft asphalt surface + 525 sq ft of two adjacent walls) 

Location: Bush St & Market St, Downtown San Francisco.


“Los guardianes del café”, San Francisco, California

In the heart of the Mission District, Los Guardianes del Café at Red Cafe is a celebration of coffee growing cultures whose toil brings everybody’s beloved coffee into existence. The mural is a tribute to the people of the Mission District, many of whom were once coffee farmers themselves or hail from nations with rich coffee culture. 

“Los guardianes del café” (Mission St & 25th St, San Francisco, CA-Nov 2021) was commissioned through the StreetSmARTS program, a partnership between the San Francisco Arts Commission and Public Works that pairs artists with private property owners.

“Kiku Dreaming”, Redwood City, California

“Kiku Dreaming” is an 800 sq. feet mural commissioned by Community Advocacy Through Art (CATA), a project of the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, and the Redwood City Sesquicentennial Committee that depicts Redwood City’s 19th and early 20th century history covering three sides of a commercial building located at Roosevelt Plaza Center. This historial mural is a tribute to Japanese immigrant chrysanthemum growers, many of whom were later forced into internment camps. The mural also features local landmarks and wildlife that symbolize migration and hope. 

Kiku Dreaming_talavera-ballon

Hermanos en el Camino, Migrant Shelter, Ixtepec, Oaxaca

Beyond excited at the opportunity to paint a mural at Hermanos en el Camino, a migrant shelter located in Ixtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico this past July. The mural was created with input from the migrant community staying at the shelter- even the title “La vida tiene colores para ti” (Life Has Colors for you) was part of this collaborative process. The project took a week to complete and ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration. What an unforgettable and amazing experience this was! I feel really grateful!

Downtown Redwood City, CA

Recently, I was commissioned to create a bike rack mural for the City of Redwood City. Titled “La cosecha de la esperanza - The Harvest of Hope” to honor the contributions of farmworkers, this project aims to provide additional bicycle parking for the increasing number of bikers in the city (Main & Broadway St, Downtown Redwood City)


Transbay Transit Center, Downtown San Francisco

In August 2018, I was selected to paint a mural at the new Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco, as part of of the Artspan’s Transit Center Mural Project. The Transit Center is an innovative and sustainable new San Francisco landmark that transforms a transportation hub into an urban experience including a rooftop park, a bus bridge, retail spaces and much more!  Myself, alongside with other 37 Artspan muralists were selected to create semi-permanent murals on the ground retail space windows.

I completed this mural project over the span of 5 days including a live painting demonstration during the Grand Opening & Mural Unveiling on August 11th, 2018.

The mural in its entirety is 40 feet long and 7 feet tall.

"Desafiando la Marea" 40 linear ft (Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco) Photo credits Victoria Montero

"Desafiando la marea" is located on Natoma St between 1st and 2nd Streets, San Francisco. Photo credits Victoria Montero

 

Collaborations

Below are some photos of mural projects I had the honor of collaborating on with my talented painting partner, Joshua Coffy. Joshua’s creativity and passion continue to inspire me, and I am deeply grateful for the time we shared bringing art to life. While Joshua is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the work we created together.

If you have a wall that needs art, I would love to hear your ideas and continue creating murals that enrich our shared spaces. Please feel free to reach out to discuss your vision.

 'Bird Song #3' (Designed by lead artist Joshua Coffy) June 2015 -  This 6,000 square foot mural is at the corner of Market and Van Ness Ave.  It was produced by ArtSpan and Build Inc.  


'Space Between The Ears' - October 2017 - Reno, NV.  Just off of Virginia St. in Reno Nevada sits this mural created for the Reno Mural Expo in 2017.  This was painted by Joshua and  myself in just a few days.  Tours of the Reno Murals can be scheduled with ArtSpot Reno.


Commodore Sloat Elementary School Mural Project

'The Stories We Tell' - November 2017 - San Francisco, CA.  This mural was commissioned by the Commodore Sloat Elementary School in San Francisco.  This piece was installed in the school's library.

April 2018 -Several murals were created around the campus of the school.  8 Small Vignettes, 4 Signs (not pictured) and a large wall mural were installed on the lower playground during the month of April.

Clau & Josh.jpg

Thank you for your interest in murals and adding beauty to your school, office, home or city. For inquiries, please contact me at talaveraballon@gmail.com .