This Portland Street Medic Has Documented His Experience at the Protests Through Striking Watercolor

[Nevilledog]

This Portland Street Medic Has Documented His Experience at the Protests Through Striking Watercolor Paintings

https://www.wweek.com/arts/visual-arts/2020/08/01/this-portland-street-medic-has-documented-his-experience-at-the-protests-through-striking-watercolor-paintings/

The first time Bird O’Flaerty painted an image inspired by the Portland protests, he was pissed off—and it shows.

It was early in the uprising, long before federal officers arrived in town, and before the clashes between police and protesters turned into a predictable routine. Getting his first taste of tear gas opened O’Flaerty’s eyes.

“The general message was, ‘We’re here to protect Portland’s property,’” says O’Flaerty, 36. “Whatever the cops’ intentions are, that became real to me for the first time.”

He was still vibrating with rage when he got back home that night. A tattoo artist by trade who attended art school in Colorado, O’Flaerty broke out his watercolors and illustrated his feelings: It took the form of a pig in a police uniform, accompanied by the phrase “To Serve the Wealthy and Protect Their Property.”

*snip*

[soothsayer]

1. K&r

[stillcool]

2. Those are amazing...thanks

[Nevilledog]

3. ...

[crickets]

4. Moving and powerful images - he is so talented. nt

[Amaryllis]

5. OMG. This one:

We knew that photo would be iconic when we first saw it.