by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
Local artist Jimmy O’Brian has graced many memorable walls throughout the Lowcountry with his uniquely sublime art. One of his most recent murals is nestled outside of Folly Beach’s Irish Pub, St. James Gate. The entrance to the upstairs nightclub “The Loft” features a psychedelic sun and wave just below a disco ball, thanks to O’Brian’s creative genius.
Another exciting project O’Brian has been working on lately is a saloon style piano, a piece commissioned by Bert’s Market owner Omar Colon.
“Omar saw a sketch I had made of Tom Petty and the Cheshire Cat in a boat together and freaked out,” says O’Brian, who like Petty, is from Gainesville, Fla. “I’m more than just a fan. He is near and dear to my heart,” says O’Brian. Fox Music donated the piano, with a well-dressed frog floating away with a balloon clad with the Fox music logo “I fear for the ears of Bert’s employees. I’ve already apologized to Miss Leigh in advance,” says O’Brian.
O’Brian’s first Folly mural features sea turtles on the side of Folly Beach Family Dentistry on East Ashley Avenue. “I dig the whole conservation vibe here. I’ve become ‘the sea turtle guy,’” he says.
According to O’Brian, he was inspired by his aunt, who was also an artist. “She showed me a few things here and there. She’s one of my biggest fans,” says O’Brian, who studied in the Fine Arts Program at The University of Florida. From there, O’Brian moved to Atlanta, where he worked for Harley Davidson, rode his bike everyday (rain or shine) and frequented the High Museum of Art. Five years ago, O’Brian moved from Atlanta to Charleston where he has reignited his passion for painting.
“My art got pushed to the side when life got in the way,” O’Brian says, but he is grateful for all of the support that the local community has shown him over the years. “That’s what I love about Charleston … the art community is so welcoming.”
In Charleston, O’Brian dove headfirst into the underground art scene. He won second place in the annual mural competition at The Charleston Pour House for his Skeleton Band mural to the left of the outdoor stage. Across the deck rests another Tom Petty mural, this one at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Like the Bert’s piano, this one was also inspired by Petty’s famous music video for “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”
“The deck’s art carries a certain vibe. It’s all part of The Pour House’s allure,” he says. “Live music is good for the soul … I walk into The Pour House and it feels like home to me.”
O’Brian also enjoys painting live at festivals like Skinful Halloween, Umphrey McGee’s Into The Woods festival, and the Charleston Bluegrass Festival. He is currently working on a five-foot tall painting for a client of her majesty the Queen Elizabeth in honor of her 70th Anniversary Jubilee, featuring the Union Jack and a crowned skull.
On James Island, O’Brian has been painting Avalon Vape Shop on Folly Road for several years and aspires to one day cover all of its walls. “Once COVID started, I really started focusing on painting,” he says. “It’s great to get up and do what you love and get paid for it. It’s not a bad way to make a buck.” He is currently painting a rather large container (7’x20’) for Crosby’s Seafood.
When seeking inspiration, O’Brian says he often puts on Pink Floyd or Steely Dan. Some of his favorite painters include Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Hieronymus Bosch, and Salvador Dali. O’Brian says he likes to visit the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla., where 2,400 works by the artist reside.
