Art Mortimer created a key piece of artistic history in 1971 when he painted a mural on the side of his Santa Monica home.

Facing the beach at the end of Ocean Park Boulevard, the artwork featured a portrait of Daphne, his girlfriend at the time. Inspired by local artists in Venice and Ocean Park who were using exterior walls as canvases, Mortimer decided to experiment and see what he could create himself.

Now spanning over 50 years, Mortimer’s painting journey remains active.

Mortimer created his initial mural as public street art was gaining momentum across Los Angeles.

Driven by the desire to paint outdoors and leave a meaningful mark on the city, he drew inspiration from artists creating works throughout Hollywood and East Los Angeles.

“I just thought it was an adventure working outside and making a visible contribution to the greater LA community,” Mortimer said.

Although he does not consider himself as LA’s first muralist, Mortimer was key among the early artists who shaped the city’s modern mural movement.

His creative endeavors eventually connected him with Kent Twitchell, who would also emerge as a prominent figure in the mural movement

They first crossed paths in 1974 during an exhibition sponsored by the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, which displayed mural works by Mortimer, Twitchell and two other artists. Throughout the exhibition, the artists became acquainted with each other.

Twitchell later recounted to Mortimer that seeing Mortimer’s initial Santa Monica mural and observing its technique served as the spark for his own mural painting career.

This relationship was embedded in a dynamic era for Los Angeles art, as mural artists were actively integrating large-scale works into public life.

Among Mortimer’s prominent early achievements was a 1973 mural painted on the wall of Brandelli’s Brig (now known simply as The Brig) in Venice. He noted that the piece captured the essence of local life and the community at that time, offering observers an artistic point of reflection.

Since creating his first piece, Mortimer has completed more than 100 murals, including approximately 20 within Los Angeles. Beyond creating public art, he has actively worked to safeguard mural history and served as a board member for the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles.

He repainted the Brandelli’s Brig mural entirely in 2021. Earlier, in 2016, he assisted with restoring artist Eloy Torrez’s renowned “Pope of Broadway” mural located in downtown Los Angeles.

Now based in Twentynine Palms, Mortimer draws constant inspiration from the surrounding Mojave Desert

At his residence, Mortimer has executed two murals. One depicting desert bighorn sheep, and the other centered on 49 Palms Oasis along with its connection to local tribes. These artworks reflect his extensive research into the desert’s history, environment, wildfires and local community.

Transitioning to the Mojave required an adjustment period after living in Ocean Park for nearly four decades and West Los Angeles for another 10 years.

However, the vast expanse of the desert and its intimate connection to nature ultimately reshaped Mortimer’s artistic perspective, as he adapted to the intensity of his new environment.

Now, his artistic style emphasizes atmosphere and the emotional resonance generated by the desert landscape.

This autumn, Mortimer will showcase his work to the public alongside over 220 fellow creators in the HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours. Admission to this self-guided event is free, with doors open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3-4, Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 17-18.

Participating in the event provides Mortimer with a chance to connect with people who appreciate his art and engage with his local creative community.

After more than five decades of painting, Mortimer said he remains motivated by the challenges of the craft.

He noted that he is continually reminded of “how much I don’t know about art and painting,” emphasizing that these ongoing hurdles keep him sharp and engaged.

Even after more than 50 years of painting, the work and learning remain an ongoing journey for an artist whose career began with a portrait on a Santa Monica wall in 1971.