Tam Glad: Exclusive sit down with Nora Bruhn, the artist changing the face of Tam Junction, San Francisco and beyond

Tam Junction’s history as a pass-through town is OVER. While the places beyond Tam Junction are admittedly world renowned for their spectacular beauty and awe-inspiring views, there is a strong case to be made that a stop in Tam Junction will evoke similar inspiration. There’s no doubt that it has evolved over the decades. It sits at the turn where thousands of locals and tourists alike begin their adventurous journey toward the coast. I can imagine the early days of discovering the mountainous wild coastline of Marin preceded only by a dusty strip of the dirt-packed road later known as Tam Junction only to be transformed by the passing years. 

Fast forward to today, oddly the road still looks to be constructed in the same direction, but the facade has gone through a metamorphosis. Independent businesses of all kinds hug the narrow junction while something else has taken shape. I’m talking about the public art that adorns the many building facades. I’ll save my argument for Tam Junction’s mural walk for another story. But you should know it does exist :)

This story is about Nora Bruhn. A resident of Mill Valley and San Francisco, she has single-handedly transformed Tam Junction with her large format public art. This is NOT an overstatement. I first became interested in her public art while writing another piece at the Junction Beer Garden and noticed a mural of color exploding from the ground like the steam of a geyser. The once blank metal canvas shielding what looked to be a junkyard at the rear of the outdoor beer garden was covered by what she calls the “color tornado”. Standing roughly 20ft tall and I can attest it’s striking. If you are driving into Tam Junction and look to the right you will be taken back by its size, even from a few hundred yards away. It truly is a piece of art that welcomes every person to Tam Junction. This sent me on a lengthy journey to track her down and find some time to listen to her story. 

With so many people asking me who created the color tornado I had to bring this story to life. I'm grateful to witness the public art in Tam Junction every day and I'm more grateful to know Nora and share our conversation. She not only has brought two pieces of public art (and one more coming) to Tam Junction but over COVID became one of the first artists to paint over some of the boarded-up buildings in San Francisco as a way of bringing light to an otherwise dark period. Those works of art mostly are large peony murals painted around San Francisco and some across the country.

Lastly, and before I forget the renegade coyote mural on Coyote Creek. A gift from Nora, sitting discreetly on Coyote Creek, the “Coyote” mural celebrates her vision to honor this place and the spirituality it brings. Look carefully enough and you’ll see this coyote welcoming you.

This is our conversation:

What does making art mean to you?

I can answer this in a couple of ways. I love public art, art for the people! I am a very social being so whittling away at a painting in an enclosed space isn’t really for me. I am fueled by the exchanges I have while painting in public. I weave those interactions into the artwork. I want others to feel a part of my projects.  

Painting flowers is a way for me to return nature to a cityscape. I don’t mess with what I am painting either. I am simply painting my florals as I see them because there’s nothing more beautiful than what I find outdoors. No matter what headspace I may be in, I can instantly jump into an awestruck feeling by taking a moment with a plant. The way our nearest star casts light from millions (?) of miles away. The transparency of the petals, all of it is just incredible.  

COVID brought you the opportunity to make a positive change. What was that experience like?

That experience was incredible. Pretty much all of my artist friends did well through Covid which leads me to understand that art is essential. I was one of the first artists to paint on a boarded-up building in San Francisco at the beginning of Covid. Everyone was confused about what was going on. People were in such a dark place and needed beauty. Their responses were so moving. It was one of those rare situations where I got to see how my art impacts people.  

You now have large format public art in Tam Junction and have changed the landscape for thousands who pass through. What would you want someone to think about when they see your art?

Yes, the color tornado. I didn’t realize how prominent that would be in the landscape when designing it. Tam Junction is such a pass-through location. Hopefully, my mural gives a little indication that there’s some serious magic here and that it’s worth exploring.  

Not many people know about the coyote mural. Can you share about that experience?

I used to walk the bike trail boardwalk almost daily. On my walks, I noticed this beat-up billboard. It was tagged and a total eyesore so my partner, Joel Millikan, and I decided to renegade paint it. I couldn’t figure out what to paint so I sat by the water and asked myself “What would honor this place? What is sacred here?” Suddenly I was like, ‘Oh duh. We are on Coyote Creek in the Coyote Creek watershed. Let’s do a Coyote!’ I wanted the coyote to blend into the landscape so I camouflaged the background a bit.  

This led me to want to do more art in the area. At one point, I talked to Liz and Dez from The Junction and told them I had painted the coyote which ended up being this meant-to-be moment because their logo looks just like the coyote. This all led to the installation at The Junction.

Where to find Nora:

Nora works out of her studio in Inner Richmond. The space aptly titled “Work in Progress” is also a place for events hosting artists, musicians, and poets among others. For more information here’s a great article on her space (Link [HERE]).

Nora Bruhn website: https://www.konorebi.com/