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Jake Merten

@lookatart

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Painter | Muralist | Designer

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“Tranquility” - My newest mural for @thesengchicago takes on a calm, lofi approach, lending an abstract perspective of the #chicago skyline from the west. BIG thank you to @structureddevelopment @samuelj87 for getting me involved and believing in my vision. 🙏 taken in Chicago, Illinois by @lookatart

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3 years ago

Merten Supreme taken in Japan by @lookatart

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6 months ago

I remember running home after school got out at 2:50, just so I could catch DBZ at 3:30pm. I remember Toonami and ‘The Rising Sun’ on Saturdays. I remember convincing a camp counselor one summer day to let me skip activities so I wouldn’t miss an episode. I remember being teased for liking anime, and then keeping it to myself as a form of childhood escapism. I remember buying the ‘History of Trunks’ movie on VHS at Water Tower mall in downtown Chicago, and I remember hiding it in my backpack before meeting up with friends so I wouldn’t be ridiculed. I still have that VHS today.

I remember drawing countless iterations of your work as a kid, and I remember that naturally coming back to me when I started painting as an adult. I remember owning a feeling of pride and affirmation just to be affiliated with your style as I developed mine. I remember the joy and feeling of connectivity when meeting people that love your world as much as I do. I remember their smiles when they saw me painting your characters. I remember painting them all around the world, and I will continue to.

There are so many memories I will never forget because of you, and likely more to come. Thank you for everything, Akira Toriyama.
Rest In Peace. Colorful Streetart mural of anime Dragonball featuring goku, krillin and Bulma riding on Shenron the Dragon through yellow clouds and blue sky taken in Chicago, Illinois by @lookatart

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3 years ago

“Tiny Totoros” drawing I made after visiting the historic Sengan-En residence + Japanese garden in Kagoshima, with incredible views of Kinko Bay and the [intimidatingly] active Sakurajima volcano. taken in Kagoshima, Japan by @lookatart

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6 months ago

✌️ Sayonara, Chicago! Off to Japan for @mlb Tokyo Series with @cubs & @dodgers taken in The Wiener's Circle by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Your friendly neighborhood Painter-Man 🤟

Great @secretwalls battle last night with @jcrivera @robineisenberg @alyssalowww. Special thanks to @posca_usa @monsterenergy. Shout out to all involved in the event @revisecmw @hannahshanker @djcashera @kevincoval @davidchoiofficial @mariasbar @kimskichicago @ali_six_ taken in Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Congratulations to @atcq @jarobiwhite @qtiptheabstract @alishaheed & Phife for their recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Like many, Tribe has been instrumental throughout my life since youth, soundtracking many eras. In 2017 I had the honor of presenting a hand-painted jacket that I made for @jarobiwhite memorializing the late Malik Taylor, which he wore during their @bestival performance that year.

Photo credits: @tabsfireman Photograph of the rapper Jarobi from the group A Tribe Called Quest, pointing at the back of his denim jacket, which has a hand painted portrait of the late member, Phife Dawg. taken in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Quick piece I did during a recent visit to KCMO A spray painted mural of the character Kaneda from the anime movie Akira. The painting is a close up cropped image of just his head, shoulder and hands as he leans into the frame of the canvas. Kaneda is wearing a yellow tee shirt and burgundy gloves. He leans over a small glowing blue light, and cups the aura with his hands below where the light floats. taken in Kansas City, Missouri by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Somewhere in The Garden…

This is a mural I did for @thesengchicago commissioned by @structureddevelopment. The entire mural is now fully visible after the adjacent building’s construction was completed and fencing removed. Big thanks to my bud @samuelj87 for believing in my vision A mural of a woman sitting on top of a hill with her back to the viewer while she is looking at a distant skyline. The mural is painted in Japanese anime style. The girl sits on bright green grass under trees with a bright blue sky and few clouds. Glowing leaves fall from the trees and turn into butterflies moving throughout the mural like wind. taken in Chicago, Illinois by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Neo Nights

Lil piece I did last week for a new retail space opening in Wicker Park, Chicago. Thanks to @dontfretart for the invite. taken in Wicker Park, Chicago by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Remember The Name!

Tribute mural to hometown hero and recent @ufc welterweight champion @bullyb170

Commissioned and supported by @billbadd & Crumbl Wicker Park 🍪 Spray paint mural of martial arts athlete and recent UFC champion, Belal Muhammad. The mural is painted in the style of Japanese anime and depicts Belal standing in front of a black background with the championship belt over his right shoulder and confetti and cookies falling around him from above. His name and the phrase “Now They Know” are painted above his head to look like bright, glowing neon lights. He points up with left hand indicating he is number one. taken in Wicker Park, Chicago by @lookatart

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2 years ago

Corn Dog by @lookatart

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2 years ago