Waterford artist paints mural on Mexican motorway

Lucas Dwan is a painter, graphic designer and general operative based in Waterford.

Two weeks ago, Lucas went to Monterey to assist artist ‘MadC’ alongside many other artists to paint the motorways of Mexico ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which will be held this summer.

Artists from all over the world are painting the urban landscape of Mexico. According to Lucas, motorways, under bridges and walls in the city are all being painted in a variety of different art styles.

Monterrey is the eighth biggest city in Mexico with a population of over one million. However, Lucas said that: “Dublin felt bigger than Monterey, it's more spaced out.” He really enjoyed working with local Mexican artists on the project, saying, “Everyone is so nice, I couldn’t believe how nice everyone was.” The painting that Lucas worked on “was inspired by the landscape – the mountains and some of the city skyline.” 

How Lucas ended up painting a motorway in Monterrey is “a long story made long.”

In 2019, Waterford Walls had an emerging artist programme where they partnered early career artists with professional artists. Lucas was partnered with ‘MadC’, “She helped me paint a wall, I helped her paint her wall.” Through this mentorship programme, the two artists became friends, and since then, MadC has invited Lucas on trips all over the world from Germany to Mexico.

Lucas is drawn to walls rather than a traditional canvas because "it's for everybody." 

Lucas continued, "If you’re just having a normal day and you see a wall and it makes it you happy or inspires you – I like that.” 

Lucas’ most recent mural was on Jenkins’ Lane. He said, “ It's abstract, with sunflowers. It's inspired by a skateboard I did.” 

Lucas also likes the more practical side of painting walls. He said: “With spray paint, if you make a mistake, you just paint over it, it's very quick. It might sound crazy, but the bigger the wall, the easier it is to paint.” 

Lucas explained that painting details such as an eye are much easier when he has more space to work with. “The eyeball might be the size of your body.” 

He also likes the social aspect of wall murals: “You’re outside, you’re talking to people.” 

Lucas got into art properly when he went to an arts and crafts school in Thomastown and then went on to do work experience with Waterford Walls. 

He explained, “I chose to be an artist because I like creating stuff, but also, I’ve had a lot of bad bosses. I always thought I was a good worker. I used to work in this bar/restaurant in Kilkenny and because I was a good worker, it was always my job to clean up puke.” 

What Lucas likes about being an artist is the independence. “If I work hard, it's appreciated. If I don’t work hard, I don’t get good.” 

Lucas works as a general operative at a biogas company three days a week to pay the bills. He also does graphic design. Now, he’s working on a book for a disability theatre company.

Lucas didn’t always know that he wanted to be an artist. After school, he worked in Australia for a year “I’d spend all my money and then have to work again. There was no responsibility.” After that, Lucas gave college a go: “I tried to do social care in Carlow, and I didn’t like it.” After that, he went travelling for a few years. “I went to Christchurch, which is full of murals. That’s how I got inspired.” He also went to Hawaii for three months, but then he “popped his shoulder” so he had to come home.

Lucas is a site manager for Waterford Walls, and “I’m also fortunate enough to paint every year.” As well as his graphic design business (pmglucas), he is also running an artists' book fair in Kilkenny this summer (you can get more details on Instagram at: atelierpáipear). You can also follow Lucas' wall murals on Instagram by following him at: laidbackdesign.