Social media users discuss works of spray-painted retro art produced by ‘Dose’ that appear beneath Kirtland Road bridge, other Rogue Valley locations; artist even taking suggestions
What began as an unlikely pop-up show of graffiti art beneath the Kirtland Road bridge over Bear Creek in rural Central Point quickly evolved in recent weeks into a conversation piece for local residents trading theories on the identity of the artist, known as “Dose,” and wondering whether he or she might be taking special requests.
Found among the usual social media posts about yard sales and community meetings, a posting appeared in early May on the Central Point Community Forum sharing photos of what would be the first in a series of colorful characters painted beneath the concrete bridge.
The initial batch of characters included a bright green Rugrats cartoon dino, “Reptar;” “The Simpsons” cartoon character Krusty the Clown; and a snarky masked alien cat named Brak, from the 1966 Hanna-Barbera animated series “Space Ghost.”
Community members immediately offered theories regarding the who, what, when, where and why of the colorful displays. The artwork’s promoter, 79-year-old rural Central Point resident Charle Dodge, said he discovered the paintings during his volunteer gig as a litter picker-upper for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A retired “stock market guy” who began walking his dogs on local trails and picking up litter eight years ago, Dodge was checking on a favorite trail area tucked between rye fields and a grove of walnut trees near the bend in Kirtland Road when he discovered the informal gallery.
“There’s always some graffiti, or tagging, on the bridge, but I came out one morning and this unique, really good stuff had shown up,” Dodge said on a recent afternoon while navigating the trail.
Excited to share his discovery but mindful of graffiti being frowned upon, Dodge admitted his post was a bit tongue-in-cheek.
“At first I posted on my own Facebook, and I got eight comments which were pretty lame,” he said, “so I posted on the Central Point group, and I put kind of an edgy comment like, ‘How can we stop this?’ Something to that effect, to see what people would say.”
Community members came to the defense of the unknown tagger with just a few condemning the unauthorized artwork.
“Nothing wrong with good talent,” said one user. “Our very own Banksy,” said another, referencing an infamous anonymous England-based street artist.
Some familiar with the artist reported similar works on other bridges, including one by Mill Creek Falls, and on a random bathroom door inside a Medford Albertsons. Others guessed the artist’s demographic, with one surmising they were likely “older people like in their 40s” judging by the era of characters painted.
Several people posted requests for future paintings to include favorites like Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or perhaps Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner. Others suggesting a certain “stock market guy” might be the artist, since he’d “discovered” each new painting.
“A bunch of them thought maybe I was Dose and I was posting to show off,” Dodge said with a laugh, while navigating the Creekside trail with a walking stick.
Characters suggested by commenters began to show up beneath the bridge, possibly offering proof that whoever the artist might be is a member of the Central Point community group.
The morning after the first series of photos were posted, and after Carlie Schneider of Jacksonville commented, “Spy vs. Spy or the Kool-Aid Man busting through a wall would be pretty awesome!” the smiling pitcher of sugar and red dye no. 40 appeared on a bridge support.
“It was like the guy — or lady — saw the Facebook posting,” Dodge said.
Schneider said she was thrilled.
“When I saw that the next day, I couldn’t believe it, I was like, ‘No way!’ The artist is definitely listening,” Schneider told the Rogue Valley Times.
“Whoever Dose is, I hope he keeps it going and I hope he — or she — stays incognito and keeps doing more.”
Almost in response to social media comments trying to gather clues about the artist’s identity, the infamous McDonald’s Hamburglar appeared days later, his finger to his lips as if to say, “Shhhh.”
In a brief disappointment, and potentially due to the sudden social media fame, Dodge posted on May 18 that the artwork had been covered with beige paint. Only the Kool-Aid Man survived, due to the grafitti being painted in a difficult-to-access spot over water and stacked rocks.
The artist would have to be nimble enough to stand on stacked rocks to access the Kool-Aid Man, which Dodge said proved he, himself, couldn’t be the artist and that whoever covered the initial artwork was likely no spring chicken either.
Dodge admitted disappointment to seeing Krusty the Clown covered up while community group members saw a silver lining.
“Graffiti circle of life, just a new canvas,” said one user. “Hey CP Banksy, we need you!” said another.
After a two-week lull, a new round of characters appeared this past week, including silent film era Felix the Cat and Early Cuyler, an Appalachian Mud Squid known for his collection of tall truck hats, featured in the animated sitcom “Squidbillies.”
Central Point resident Ryan Nathan, who shared a photo of a Scooby-Doo painting by Dose from a bridge near Touvelle State Park, agreed the anonymous artist was likely “an ’80s or ’90s kid.”
He applauded Dose’s talent and tidiness.
“One thing I’d like to say to the artist personally would be a thank you for providing actual art pieces that are relatable to a wide range of viewers,” he told the Times.
“Also, the fact that most graffiti artists leave their empty cans behind. This artist has left no trace aside from the art and his tag name.”
Even with artwork bound to be covered from time to time, Dodge praised Dose’s persistence.
“The artist seems to take it all in stride, although it has to be disappointing having the work obliterated,” he said.
“It has been really fun to see how talented this artist, Dose, is,” Dodge said. “I know the county or the state, or whoever, come out from time to time and paint over things, but it almost feels like maybe we should put a sign up that says, ‘Dear County or whoever, please at least preserve the art.’”
Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 458-488-2029 or buffy.pollock@rv-times.com. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.