Lee "Bird" Walker has contributed to the urban landscape for over 20 years. Now in his 50's, his exterior painting of retail businesses, with illistration and portraits are often found in surprising places. Bird and son Christopher work out of the back end of a used furniture store, The Mattress Station, on Van Dyke Street in Detroit. The rear door is the only light source. No electricity in the building. Painting surfaces are often fabric, cheap thin wood and what ever else comes his way.
A frequent saleable piece of art is a cartoon charcter that catches the eye of a passing motorist.
Son Christopher also is beginning to produce art. I expect at some point he will have the same steady hand as his father.
A sample of "Birds" work can be found on Gratiot Ave. Hats Galore and More holds up very well. Down the street on abandoned property is an image of President Obama radiating on a wall, and next to it is a memorial to Michael Jackson.
"Bird" is a third generation house painter who continues to produce orginal art and commercial art for retail businesses. His work is a excellent example of urban folk arts splashed with a lot of solid color to get attention.
