As I snap pictures in Greenlake of, The Little Red Hen’s, massive

September 24, 2012 12:00 am
The Little Red Hen, Greenlake: Painted in the early nineties by former PI advertising artist Ray Jeffries, this is the most personal of all the murals I viewed. When I asked why it was painted, promotions manager Connie Robertson told me He just did whatever he wanted. They (Jeffries and then owner, Judy Olsby) were best friends.
The Little Red Hen, Greenlake: Painted in the early nineties by former PI advertising artist Ray Jeffries, this is the most personal of all the murals I viewed. When I asked why it was painted, promotions manager Connie Robertson told me He just did whatever he wanted. They (Jeffries and then owner, Judy Olsby) were best friends.

As I snap pictures in Greenlake of, The Little Red Hen’s, massive western-themed mural that covers most of the inner walls, the talk at the bar inevitably moves towards reminiscence. As the regulars remember good times and old friends, I can’t help but feel melancholy. Murals like this seem to be fading away, as each new condo goes up, a structure must come down and it makes me wonder how many priceless works of art have been lost among the rubble or how many were painted over so a new bar can cash in on whatever the latest trend is. Seattle is transforming. It wants to be sleeker, shinier and those murals of times gone by that don’t seem to fit the image disappear with little fan fare. Their stories are quickly lost and what little information remains is often muddled or spotty. I went on a hunt for the history on some of these gorgeous murals, here’s what I dug up. Story and photos by Suzie Rugh.Published on September 16, 2008

You know I've stared at this thing so many times and yet I always seem to find something new says Robertson. Without her help, I never would have found this couple making love in the bushes.

You know I’ve stared at this thing so many times and yet I always seem to find something new says Robertson. Without her help, I never would have found this couple making love in the bushes.

Or noticed that this fisherman is giving that bird the bird. The detail and imagination of this mural is astounding. In one panel you'll find John Wayne, in another, Olsby is naked riding a horse. Yet the entire painting is perfectly cohesive with one scene effortlessly blending into the next.

Or noticed that this fisherman is giving that bird the bird. The detail and imagination of this mural is astounding. In one panel you’ll find John Wayne, in another, Olsby is naked riding a horse. Yet the entire painting is perfectly cohesive with one scene effortlessly blending into the next.

The Rimrock: Local artist Fred Oldfield painted a western themed mural of his own in the early '50s at Connie's Rimrock Steakhouse in Lake City. Oldfield worked at a nearby liquor store back then but says he didn't frequent the bar much. The Rimrock was a haven for gamblers in the forties and sits near an underground tunnel once used by the ladies of the night.

The Rimrock: Local artist Fred Oldfield painted a western themed mural of his own in the early ’50s at Connie’s Rimrock Steakhouse in Lake City. Oldfield worked at a nearby liquor store back then but says he didn’t frequent the bar much. The Rimrock was a haven for gamblers in the forties and sits near an underground tunnel once used by the ladies of the night.

The mural, which depicts cowboys on horseback ambling across the western prairie, is still in great shape considering it lived through the years before the smoking ban. Now owned by the lovely Connie Dunn, The Rimrock is home to the best cup of coffee I've ever had in my life.

The mural, which depicts cowboys on horseback ambling across the western prairie, is still in great shape considering it lived through the years before the smoking ban. Now owned by the lovely Connie Dunn, The Rimrock is home to the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had in my life.

Hattie's Hat: Oldfield also painted the mural at Hattie's Hat as well as three other smaller paintings hanging in the back room back in the mid fifties when it was called The Old Home. Ninety year old Oldfield is responsible for numerous murals through-out the Northwest many of which have been lost over the years. Originally from Alfalfa, Washington, he grew up on the Yakima Indian Reservation and spent his early youth working as a cowhand before heading off to fight in WWII. He tried his hand at advertising art but found it wasn't for him. When I asked how he became an artist he told me, By being stubborn and foolish. I think real estate would have been much better but I wouldn't trade it for anything, I've had a wonderful life. He still paints everyday out of his Tacoma home.

Hattie’s Hat: Oldfield also painted the mural at Hattie’s Hat as well as three other smaller paintings hanging in the back room back in the mid fifties when it was called The Old Home. Ninety year old Oldfield is responsible for numerous murals through-out the Northwest many of which have been lost over the years. Originally from Alfalfa, Washington, he grew up on the Yakima Indian Reservation and spent his early youth working as a cowhand before heading off to fight in WWII. He tried his hand at advertising art but found it wasn’t for him. When I asked how he became an artist he told me, By being stubborn and foolish. I think real estate would have been much better but I wouldn’t trade it for anything, I’ve had a wonderful life. He still paints everyday out of his Tacoma home.

Oldfield was commissioned by the two brothers that owned the bar at the time to paint the Danish scene. They just paid more to have it cleaned than they paid me to paint it! laughs Oldfield. The mural was created around a time when the owners were trying to revamp the place but the plan backfired, Business fell off because local workers didn't want to go out to a fancy place to drink! Oldfield recalls.

Oldfield was commissioned by the two brothers that owned the bar at the time to paint the Danish scene. They just paid more to have it cleaned than they paid me to paint it! laughs Oldfield. The mural was created around a time when the owners were trying to revamp the place but the plan backfired, Business fell off because local workers didn’t want to go out to a fancy place to drink! Oldfield recalls.

Luckily, as the bar changed hands over the years, all the owners had the foresight to keep the mural in place. Hattie's Hat manager Erin West says tours come through every other month or so to see the paintings and take pictures. Oldfield figures they're coming from the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center in Tacoma, where Oldfield helps out and occasionally teaches classes.

Luckily, as the bar changed hands over the years, all the owners had the foresight to keep the mural in place. Hattie’s Hat manager Erin West says tours come through every other month or so to see the paintings and take pictures. Oldfield figures they’re coming from the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center in Tacoma, where Oldfield helps out and occasionally teaches classes.

The Golden City: Unfortunately, not every story is known, as in the case of the Golden City which is home to two huge paintings that Seattle Weekly's own Mike Seely aptly described as maritime slave murals.

The Golden City: Unfortunately, not every story is known, as in the case of the Golden City which is home to two huge paintings that Seattle Weekly’s own Mike Seely aptly described as maritime slave murals.

The riverside steamboat paintings would have made sense when the place used to be called The Plantation but now they don't exactly fit in with current owner's Chinese theme. All that is know about them comes from Golden City regular, Caroline Tislow, a former Realtor who brokered the sale of the Golden City many years ago. She bets they've been there for over 100 years.

The riverside steamboat paintings would have made sense when the place used to be called The Plantation but now they don’t exactly fit in with current owner’s Chinese theme. All that is know about them comes from Golden City regular, Caroline Tislow, a former Realtor who brokered the sale of the Golden City many years ago. She bets they’ve been there for over 100 years.

About ten years ago we were offered $50,000 for the big one and $40,000 for the little one Tislow tells me. Who wanted to buy them and why they weren't sold is unknown, I can't disclose that because in the first place, that was ten years ago, and now I'm going to be 81 so think about my brain says the spunky Tislow. All we could find out about the artist was a name painted in the corner, McDaniel. Who McDaniel was, we may never know. I'm guessing that's the case for a lot of murals and other art around town. If you see a mural out there that sparks your interest, I suggest you ask lots of questions now because you never know how long it will be there, or if one day, you'll be the only one alive to tell its story.

About ten years ago we were offered $50,000 for the big one and $40,000 for the little one Tislow tells me. Who wanted to buy them and why they weren’t sold is unknown, I can’t disclose that because in the first place, that was ten years ago, and now I’m going to be 81 so think about my brain says the spunky Tislow. All we could find out about the artist was a name painted in the corner, McDaniel. Who McDaniel was, we may never know. I’m guessing that’s the case for a lot of murals and other art around town. If you see a mural out there that sparks your interest, I suggest you ask lots of questions now because you never know how long it will be there, or if one day, you’ll be the only one alive to tell its story.