DAVE VAN PATTEN: MURALS THAT EMBODY THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY
- LB908
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
By Brittany Hart Scholten
Photos by Izzy Juarez
Driving around Long Beach you’ve probably noticed Dave Van Patten’s numerous murals even if you didn’t know his name. His work is bright and surreal with humans with hamburgers for heads, slices of pizza with a face, walking coffee mugs–eclectic, delightful, and impossible to ignore.
“I studied creative writing at Cal State Long Beach but found writing to be limiting. It cannot fully express what visual art can,” Dave explained. Dave’s work communicates social satire while being representative and accessible.
“I like to draw a nice diversity of characters that represent lots of different things and people–so there is something for everyone.”
Dave’s creative journey began at a young age. In first grade, he wrote and drew comics. Now he enjoys making public art for a broader audience. He hopes that not only adults will enjoy his murals, but also children will be motivated by them.
“I hope my murals will inspire creativity in the next generation.”
His mural on Anaheim St. and Stanley Ave. in Zaferia is a beautiful example of Dave’s work. “My inspiration for the characters I chose for that mural was to give a shout out to the different cultural aspects of the neighborhood,” Dave shared. The characters are diverse: a punk rocker in a jean jacket, a stylish woman in a large overcoat, a “good vibes” guy, and even a figure with a Picasso-esque painting for a head. Each one reflects a different age, energy, or identity within the community.
Dave’s art is emblematic of him as a person and the Long Beach community–it’s diverse, representative, inclusive, and invites everyone in.
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