It's about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we're losing track of the times we've said, "Woah, when did that go up?", we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town -- their artists, their hosts, and their inspirations.

Mural by KENO, photo by Lauren Saria

"Bratwursting"

When our sister blog, Chow Bella, gave a first look at a new restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, Brat Haus, we couldn't help but notice the eye candy on the wall.

We're not talking your typical restaurant art, but a mural from KENO - the notoriously low-profile street artist who's made over a dozen films documenting Arizona graffiti.

It's about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we're losing track of the times we've said, "Woah, when did that go up?", we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town -- their artists, their hosts, and their inspirations.

Photos by Lauren Saria, murals by Alan Rogerson

The artist: Alan Rogerson

Location: Artistic Tattoo

Although Rogerson says he pays the bills working in custom jewelry, but when business slows down, he's proved can get down on some large-scale canvas.

Welcome to Jackalope Ranch's Questionable Content, where local creatives and experts sound off on topics posed by New Times staff blogger Claire Lawton and the community. Have a question you'd like to ask? E-mail Claire.Lawton@newtimes.com.

Photo by Claire Lawton

Dave Quan painting his ooze on the Chocolate Factory on Grand Avenue. Note: Quan was paid to paint the mural in March, 2011. Read the full story about Quan's Blue Ooze here.

This town has a lot of thank you notes to send out to the artists who make its buildings a little more colorful -- especially if they're doing it pro bono. Artists have painted walls since they've had paint and a tool with which to apply it to a wall, and the history of being paid to paint a mural on the side of a building dates back to the beginning of advertising.

So when it comes to local businesses asking artists to cover their walls with their signature characters, landscapes and typography, is it hurting their own value to paint for free?

photos by Claire Lawton, mural by Calle 16

Gennaro Garcia, Lalo Cota, Angel Diaz, Breeze, and others completed a 27-by-7-foot canvas that will be plastered to the wall in the Silvana Salcido Esparza's airport satellite of Barrio Cafe.

Esparza founded Calle 16 Mural Project in 2010 with the hopes of bringing the neighborhood together and showcasing its culture in a positive and public way.

Dayna Reed

The two opened an art gallery and interior decor shop in the historic building at 222 E. Roosevelt in January.

If you're familiar with the neighborhood, you've likely seen the building. For years, it housed 307 Lounge (and, for a short time, Phil Gordon's reelection campaign headquarters). Last year, the space's owner caused a stir when she allowed PBR to slap a huge, painted advertisement on the east-facing wall. It was covered bright red when the ad agreement was over. ​

Cole and Dayna agree -- it's time for a fresh coat of paint.

It's about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we're losing track of the times we've said, "Woah, when did that go up?", we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town -- their artists, their hosts, and their inspirations.

Photo by Claire Lawton, mural by Joe Pagac, design by Fred Tieken

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The Tucson-based painter's quick to say it's not "his" mural. When 77-year-old Fred Tieken had a liver transplant this year, his old friend and studio owner Dan Vermillion decided it was time for a little celebration.