Thriving Pod ~

Local Tucson artist Joe Pagac painted this striking whale family at the corner of Campbell and Grant (site of the old Bookmans that was torn down). He was trying to convey a sense of thriving under difficult circumstances -- pretty important now, wouldn't you agree?
#tucsonmurals    #joepagac

The building has also vanished! Throwback Thursday....

03 MAY 2010

Bookman's Fantasy Murals ~ gone forever

THEN:

Believe me, I never dreamed that this website would ever serve as any kind of historical record about Tucson but at least in this one case, it really will. Sadly the Bookman's store at Grant & Campbell has painted over all of their splendid fantasy murals to use the wallspace for..... advertising. Bob, Bob ~ what were you thinking???

So, here from my photo stash is the last of the medieval series that once enchanted store shoppers and Grant Road drivers alike. As you know from my previous postings, the staffers had named all of the mural characters. Depicted here is sweet Pip (Pretty in Pink) trapped in the tower as Evil Queen Wendy and Dr. Volt each scheme how to harm her. Assuring her of his love below is... who else but... Romeo.

These murals were a wonderful, quirky addition to the Tucson cultural landscape. I am very sorry that they have been eliminated. To see the whole series, click on the "Bookmans" label on the bottom of this post.
http://www.bookmans.com/

NOW:

Not only are these murals long gone but now the building is gone as well! The old Bookmans store at Campbell and Grant has fallen to the wrecking ball. I have no idea what will next occupy that corner. 

Throwback Thursday ~ Dragon was Slain!

27 JULY 2009

Tucson's Own Dragon Slayer ~

7/27/2017

Sadly, this mural is long gone...  What was once a fabulous land of fairytale imagery was painted over years ago. And now, in fact, Bookmans no longer occupies that retail space. They consolidated their east side locations to just the one on Speedway. 

This knight in shining armor is defending the corner of Grant and Campbell against a dragon attack. The east facing walls of Bookmans (one of Tucson's best used book stores) are decorated with a series of fantasy murals. According to the staff, all mural characters have been given nicknames. The knight is "Hugh" and the dragon is "Harold."

I'll post more images from this wonderful fairytale art in the weeks ahead. Come back for "Damsel in Distress," "Evil Queen," "Mr. Be-header," "Venus de Milo's Sister," and "Pirate Ship."

Bookmans
http://www.bookmans.com/
Grant & Campbell

The Wizard is dead! Tucson Throwback Thursday ~

12 January 2010

Tucson's Own Evil Wizard lives at Grant & Campbell ~

I am so sorry to report that these wonderful murals are long gone! In fact, shortly after I posted the entire wall of murals here on TDP in January, 2010, they were painted over. What a fun art treasure lost to Tucson - very sad. If you would like to see all of the murals that accompany this "Evil Wizard," just click on the "Bookmans" label at the bottom of the post and it will take you to the fantasy murals that I have posted on the site. Here is the original post text: 

 

The fantasy murals that decorate the exterior east wall of Bookman's (Grant & Campbell) are so fun! Staffers have given all of the characters nicknames. Here the wizard (a.k.a. "Dr Volt") holds a lovely damsel prisoner. Her name? "PIP" (for "Pretty in Pink").

Bookman's is a great Tucson institution - used & new books, weird & wonderful collectible items, music & much more.

For the full range of these delightful murals, click on the label "Bookman's" at the bottom of this posting to see "Dragon Slayer," "Mr. Be-header," "Venus's Sister," "Evil Queen Wendy," and "Parthenon + "Pinto Bean."

Bookman's Fantasy Murals ~ gone forever

Believe me, I never dreamed that this website would ever serve as any kind of historical record about Tucson but at least in this one case, it really will. Sadly the Bookman's store at Grant & Campbell has painted over all of their splendid fantasy murals to use the wallspace for..... advertising. Bob, Bob ~ what were you thinking???

So, here from my photo stash is the last of the medieval series that once enchanted store shoppers and Grant Road drivers alike. As you know from my previous postings, the staffers had named all of the mural characters. Depicted here is sweet Pip (Pretty in Pink) trapped in the tower as Evil Queen Wendy and Dr. Volt each scheme how to harm her. Assuring her of his love below is... who else but... Romeo.

These murals were a wonderful, quirky addition to the Tucson cultural landscape. I am very sorry that they have been eliminated. To see the whole series, click on the "Bookmans" label on the bottom of this post.
http://www.bookmans.com/

Dr Volt's partner in crime ~ the Evil Queen

Here's the other side of the prison/tower that was posted yesterday. (Aren't these murals at Bookman's just fantastic?) As you know, the staff there has nicknames for all of the characters. Dr Volt is threatening Pip but it looks like she has even more problems. Making her own vile plan in the next room is the Evil Queen (a.k.a. Wendy according to staffers). Let's hope Hugh, the dragon slayer, arrives soon.

To see all the murals, click on the "Bookmans" label.

Bookman's is a true Tucson treasure - used & rare books, new books, wonderful collectibles, music and lots more.

http://www.bookmans.com/

Tucson's Own Evil Wizard lives at Grant & Campbell ~

The fantasy murals that decorate the exterior east wall of Bookman's (Grant & Campbell) are so fun! Staffers have given all of the characters nicknames. Here the wizard (a.k.a. "Dr Volt") holds a lovely damsel prisoner. Her name? "PIP" (for "Pretty in Pink").

Bookman's is a great Tucson institution - used & new books, weird & wonderful collectible items, music & much more.

For the full range of these delightful murals, click on the label "Bookman's" at the bottom of this posting to see "Dragon Slayer," "Mr. Be-header," "Venus's Sister," and "Parthenon + "Pinto Bean."
http://www.bookmans.com/Grant

Tucson's Parthenon & Pinto Bean ~

Here is another of the fantasy murals decorating the east-facing walls of Bookmans (one of Tucson's best used book stores). We've enjoyed "Mr. Be-header" "Venus de Milo's Sister," and "Tucson's Dragon Slayer" so far. Here is "Pirate Ship + Ancient Ruins." This Spanish Galleon enjoys calm seas as it cruises past the Parthenon. Bookmans staffers tell me that they nicknamed the ship, "Pinto Bean." Go figure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galleon
Bookmanshttp://www.bookmans.com/Grant & Campbell

Tucson's Ancient Parthenon

With the likeness of the Parthenon in the background, a good guess might be that this one-armed lady is Athena (for whom the Parthenon was built). But I'd rather think of her as Venus de Milo's sister.

Venus's sister is part of the remarkable fantasy murals that decorate the exterior walls of Bookman's, a great Tucson bookstore (used and new books plus so much more). If you would like to see the full range of murals, in July I posted the "Dragon Slayer" and "Mr. Be-header" was posted in August. Still coming up are "Damsel in Distress," "Evil Queen," and "Pirate Ship."

Store staffers tell me that they have given the mural characters pet names. This lady is affectionately named "Sophia."

http://www.bookmans.com/Grant & Campbell

Tucson's Blood Sport ~ Mr Be-header

You would never guess that the venerable Bookmans Bookstore in Tucson has a dungeon entrance in the east parking lot. Guarding the steel loading dock door is a 24-hour security guard: Mr. Be-header. He's ready for action with not only his trusty axe to separate your head from your body, but he can also use his sword on you. The wheelbarrow of hay worries me a bit - isn't it quite close to that flaming torch mounted on the wall?

Mr. Be-header is another one of the fantasy murals that decorate the walls of this great bookstore (used and new books plus so much more). In July I posted the "Dragon Slayer" and still coming up are "Damsel in Distress," "Evil Queen," "Venus de Milo's Sister," and "Pirate Ship." Bookmans staffers tell me that all of the mural characters have been given pet names. Mr. Be-header's nickname is "Dick"(He was named after a former U.S. Vice President).

Bookmanshttp://www.bookmans.com/Grant & Campbell

Tucson's Own Dragon Slayer ~

This knight in shining armor is defending the corner of Grant and Campbell against a dragon attack. The east facing walls of Bookmans (one of Tucson's best used book stores) are decorated with a series of fantasy murals. According to the staff, all mural characters have been given nicknames. The knight is "Hugh" and the dragon is "Harold."

I'll post more images from this wonderful fairytale art in the weeks ahead. Come back for "Damsel in Distress," "Evil Queen," "Mr. Be-header," "Venus de Milo's Sister," and "Pirate Ship."

Bookmans
http://www.bookmans.com/
Grant & Campbell