Painting Utility Boxes

My latest utility box is complete! This one was done in conjunction with the Famosa Slough and paid for by the Point Loma Association.

It is located on the trail head for the Famosa slough. The slough is not very noticeable since it sort of looks like a drainage dump. In many ways that is what it is, and yet it is also an important wildlife location and nature preserve. Volunteers spend alot of time cleaning it up! It’s a nice place to walk and there are so many birds to be seen.

The box features some of the most common residents- the osprey, kingfisher, stilt and avocet. Also shore crabs and a fiddler crab. I wanted to make the colors stand out and also have the birds be recognizable. A few birders going by identified all the species so I think I got that part right!

I have painted many other utility boxes in National City, La Mesa, Escondido and Vista. They are like mini murals and take some planning. The materials are different, and the logistics are not something that I am used to so getting these done can be a challenge. The weather can change and people and cars passing by can make it the process unsettling but the results have impact! Lessons learned pay forward for the next project.

Check out my website under public projects for locations of boxes and more info.