August 16 2025

Jorde’ and the Painting The Bradenton Mural Sun Glasses

Susan HigbeeBradenton Blog Bradenton Mural, bradenton murals, Manatee, public art, solstice, st pete murals, street art, tampa murals

late night work by Jorde' the artist on the bradenton mural

Jordé: The Renaissance-Inspired Artist Bringing 3D Illusions to Bradenton’s Coastal Landmark

In the vibrant art scene of Florida’s Gulf Coast, few names evoke the spirit of innovation and community pride quite like Jordé. Known as “The One and Only Jordé The Artist” and the “King of Murals,” this Florida-based muralist and has been captivating audiences with interactive, intuitive 3D illusion art for over a decade. Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance era, Jordé’s work often features animals, dynamic illusions, and elements that encourage viewer interaction, blending classical ideals with modern street art techniques. From chalk festivals to large-scale public installations, Jordé has left an indelible mark on communities, including a notable feature at the Sarasota Chalk Festival and interactive experiences like the “Strokes of Love Playshop,” where participants learned to paint with emotion and intuition.

the Bradenton Mural aligns with the solstice sunset (~300° azimuth),

Jordé’s journey as an artist is deeply rooted in Florida, with roots extending to international influences from places like Germany, Turkey, and the U.S. Their online presence, including Instagram (@jordetheartist) and Facebook (KingOfMurals), showcases a portfolio filled with 3D murals, animal motifs, and collaborative projects that emphasize discovery and self-expression. A key theme in Jordé’s philosophy is “Discover the Jordé in YOU!!” – an invitation to embrace creativity and intuition, much like the Renaissance masters they admire. This approach has led to collaborations with like-minded artists, including a pivotal partnership with Brandon Scott, an internationally recognized painter known for his “Uninhibited Expression” style that merges contemporary portraiture with emotional depth.

The Bradenton Mural: A Collaborative Coastal Masterpiece

One of Jordé’s most celebrated works is the Bradenton Mural, a 63-foot city letter installation unveiled in 2025 on the west wall of The Chop Shop at 5906 Manatee Ave W in Bradenton, Florida. Created in collaboration with Brandon Scott, this vibrant piece transforms a family grocery store exterior into a coastal art landmark, celebrating Bradenton’s sunny spirit and cultural essence. The mural spells out “Bradenton” in bold, rainbow-hued letters, weaving in local motifs like swaying palm trees, flamingos in mid-flight, roaring powerboats bursting through the scene, and reflective water elements. It’s designed as a “love letter” to the city, incorporating 3D illusions that make elements appear to leap off the wall, drawing visitors for selfies and community engagement.

The project began in late 2024, with the duo documenting progress on social media – including a post showing 70% completion by December of that year. To combat Florida’s intense heat, much of the painting occurred at night, allowing Jordé and Scott to focus on intricate details without environmental interruptions. The mural’s theme draws from Bradenton’s coastal identity, aligning even with natural phenomena like the solstice sunset at a 300° azimuth, which highlights specific features as the sun sets. Jordé’s contributions shine in the playful, cultural heavy 3D integrations, while Scott’s expertise in large in your face imagery techniques brings depth and movement.

Since its unveiling, the mural has garnered acclaim, featuring in local magazines and earning praise for elevating Bradenton’s art scene. It’s become a trending spot, with visitors noting its Instagram-worthy appeal and its role in fostering community pride.

Painting the Glasses: Crafting Reflective Illusions with Daring Flair

A standout element in the Bradenton Mural is the pair of reflective sunglasses – often referred to simply as “the glasses” – which serve as a clever nod to Bradenton’s logo and perpetual sunshine and beachy vibe. These sunglasses are not just decorative; they incorporate advanced 3D illusion techniques to mirror the surrounding environment, including a super cool octopus reflection illusion that ties in elements from across the street. In a daring and somewhat bold move, Jordé and Brandon used a mirror to capture the image of the mural across the street, which Jordé then painted in stereo on the lenses, creating a playful and slightly cheeky effect that invites viewers to chuckle at the cleverness. This reflective motif evokes the city’s watery, sun-drenched landscapes, making viewers feel immersed in the scene.

This technique aligns with Jordé’s signature style, where illusions invite viewers to “discover” hidden layers, much like da Vinci’s masterful use of light and shadow. The result is a dynamic feature that changes with the light, making the glasses a focal point for photos and admiration.

Jordé’s work on the Bradenton Mural, particularly the innovative and slightly audacious painting of the reflective glasses, exemplifies their commitment to blending art with community. As Bradenton continues to embrace public art, artists like Jordé ensure the city’s walls tell stories that resonate far beyond the paint. For those inspired, a visit to The Chop Shop offers a chance to experience this masterpiece firsthand – sunglasses optional, but creativity required.

amazing mural art by Brandon Scott and calibrator ?Jorde'

Jorde' the Artist

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June 23 2025

Watch how The Bradenton Mural Flamingo was created

Susan HigbeeBradenton Blog art, bradenton art, Bradenton Mural, flamingo painting

The Flamingo on the Bradenton Mural: A Visual Masterpiece in Flight

Let me tell you something, —When I set out to paint that flamingo on the Bradenton mural, I didn’t just slap some paint on a wall; I unleashed a 45-foot-long beast of raw, untamed glory. This isn’t your grandma’s flamingo, standing around in a puddle looking pretty. No, this is a flamingo in full flight, a winged juggernaut tearing across the sky, and I painted it with the kind of confidence that’d make the devil himself piss his pants. Check it out for yourself 5906 manatee Ave, those pictures don’t lie, and neither do I.

The Scale: A Monster of Proportion

Picture a wall so big it could double as a billboard for the end of the world. That’s what I had to work with—63 feet of blank canvas staring me down like a dare. And I took that dare, man. I painted a flamingo so massive it looks like it could swoop down and snatch up half of Bradenton in its talons. The wings? Spread wide, spanning the hight of the mural like some prehistoric bird-god, ready to take flight and leave the earth trembling. From the street, it’s not just art—it’s an event. You don’t just see it; you feel it, it looks like the shadow of a plane passing overhead.

The Colors: A Psychedelic Explosion

I didn’t mess around with muted tones or subtle shades—hell no. I hit that wall with pinks so loud they could wake up a coma patient, oranges that burn like a sunset on fire, and hints of yellow that sting like a shot of cheap whiskey. Spray paint and brushes were my weapons, and I wielded them like a madman, at night while you were home resting I was blending colors until that flamingo glowed like it was radioactive. Step back, and it’s a living, breathing thing, pulsating with energy that dares you to look away.

The Process: Wrestling Chaos into Art

Painting something 45 feet long isn’t a job for the timid—it’s a goddamn war in your head. I was up on ladders, swinging from one end of that mural to the other like some crazed artist with nothing to lose, paint cans rattling in my hands. One wrong move, and that flamingo could’ve ended up looking like a reject from a taxidermy shop. But I wrestled it into shape, forced perspective to bend to my will, and made damn sure that bird looked like it was soaring. It’s dynamic as hell—those wings aren’t static; they’re moving, cutting through the air with a grace and power that’d make lesser artists weep.

The Statement: Bradenton’s Wild Soul

This flamingo isn’t just a pretty picture—it’s a middle finger to the mundane, a shout into the void that says Bradenton’s got guts. Nestled among the palm trees and powerboats, with “Bradenton” blaring across the wall in letters that could knock you flat, this bird is the star of the show. It’s the kind of art that stops traffic, makes people spill their coffee, and stare in slack-jawed awe. It’s not just a mural; it’s a declaration of independence, a wild, feathered embodiment of a town that’s not afraid to stand out.

The Verdict: My Art Speaks for itself

Look at those pictures on the site—go ahead, I dare you. You’ll see me in the thick of it, paint-stained and half-crazed, bringing that flamingo to life. Those wings stretching out like they’re about to lift the whole wall off the ground. I painted it with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing you’re creating something bigger than yourself, something that’ll outlast the critics and the doubters. This flamingo? It’s a legend, a 45-foot testament to what happens when you throw caution to the wind and paint like your life depends on it. And yeah, I’d do it all again—bigger, louder, and twice as wild. Because that’s art, man—it’s about going all in, no apologies, and leaving a mark that screams, “I was here.”