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The Story Behind the New Mural at Buffalo Exchange Tucson
ICYMI – the Buffalo Exchange Tucson store is sporting a new look. A mural designed by Katie Yung, featuring a Buffalo (of course), a cowgirl, local Arizona floral and fauna and the greeting “Hello Tucson!”.
According to Rebecca Block, the Buffalo Exchange CEO, “It’s our most personal mural to date. As a Tucson-founded business, we’re deeply proud of our southwestern roots and this mural is like our love-letter to the city.” Established in 1974, Buffalo Exchange began in Tucson, the brainchild of Kerstin and Spencer Block. Since then, it’s expanded to 40+ locations across the United States.
The muralist, Katie, whose a Buffalo Exchange graphic designer and Illustrator, was assisted in painting the mural by Emma and Quinn – her fellow Buffalos! This small but mighty team created a beautiful mural that Buffalo will hold dear for years to come.
Meet the Mural Team
How long have you worked at Buffalo?
Katie: I’ve worked at Buffalo for three(ish) years now as a graphic designer/illustrator – I designed the mural we are painting!
Quinn: A little over a year and a half in the warehouse, shipping merchandise all over the country.
Emma: I’ve worked at Buffalo Exchange since 2013 doing just about every job under the sun! Right now I’m working in our expansion department helping open new stores.
Artistic background?
Katie: I’ve always loved to draw, but I went to the University of Arizona for Illustration and Design
Quinn: When I was going to school for anthropology, I decided it wasn’t for me and switched to art! I went to the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Scientific Illustration.
Emma: I grew up loving art and I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I did go to school for art for a little while but decided to express my artistic side differently! I have done graphic design, freelance artwork and digital pieces – I can’t be stopped from making art!
Have you ever worked on a mural before?
Katie: I designed one mural for Buffalo before, but because it was in California, another artist painted it! So this is the first time I’ve been able to design and paint one myself.
Quinn: I’ve worked on a few murals back in my hometown, but nothing of this scale.
Emma: For our Houston store, I designed and helped paint 8 large installation panels! So I have some experience painting on a large scale but not a mural quite like this before.
Creative things you like to do in your free time?
Katie: I try to rest my creative brain outside of work! I’m a big fan of spending time with my cats and creepy crawlies and browsing thrift store racks.
Quinn: I’m interested in tattooing, so I’ve been doodling some flash designs on the side. I also just love to draw plants and insects – it’s what I’ve been into since college.
Emma: Literally everything! I’m trying to learn how to crochet right now. But I’m really into nesting and home decor at the moment. That’s been the main way I’ve been expressing myself lately.
What inspires you?
Katie: Being around other creatives! You meet so many cool people in Tucson that are artistic (aka Quinn and Emma).
Quinn: Collaborating with other artists and seeing all the beautiful art around me in Tucson – there are so many great murals everywhere you look.
Emma: I love stories. I’ve done illustrations for comics and books – they really inspire me to create art. But everything is inspiring. The life we live is exciting.
Where did the design inspiration for the mural come from?
Katie: A lot of the design inspiration came from some vintage Buffalo Exchange artwork. We also took inspo from American traditional tattoos, but mainly I just wanted to paint animals and local desert flora and fauna. Thor, our office cat, helped a lot with the design process.
Favorite thing about living in Tucson?
Katie: I’m from Phoenix, so Tucson just feels like it has a lot more personality. There are beautiful murals everywhere and amazing thrift stores (and the food is bomb).
Quinn: I’m from the midwest where everything is flat and corn, so I love the mountains and all the different plant life. I also love how culturally diverse it is.
Emma: The community in Tucson is really great. It supports all kinds of artists. There are so many mutual aid and community organizations that you never really feel alone here. If you’re a creative, community- oriented person,Tucson is for you!
What were you listening to while you worked?
Katie: Charli XCX and the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack
Quinn: Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, and Ethel Cain
Emma: The Lord of the Rings audio books
The mural is located on Speedway Boulevard and Campbell Avenue, local art lovers (and secondhand shoppers) can stop by anytime to come see it!
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