PORT TOWNSEND — The bigger the mural, the better. That’s the credo of James Mayo, Port Townsend artist, whose business cards are emblazoned with the motto, “size does matter.”
Mayo, 46, who has lived in Port Townsend for 20 years, has painted up to 15 murals around Jefferson County, and several others in distant states from California to Minnesota, he said.
Now he wants to paint what he calls his “crown jewel,” a 12-by-70-foot maritime-themed work on the side of the Port of Port Townsend-owned Port Townsend Brewing Co. building at Sims Way and Haines Street.
“This would be my coup de grace, if I could do this job,” Mayo told the Port of Port Townsend commissioners, who warmly greeted his proposal Wednesday morning during their work session.
“I think this is certainly something we should consider,” said longtime port Commissioner Herb Beck of Quilcene after hearing Mayo’s impassioned pitch.
The mural would glorify the port, its sailing tall ships and notable motor vessels that have plied Port Townsend Bay.
The seaside beauty and history that made Port Townsend and the North Olympic Peninsula famous would be blended into the aesthetic mix, he said.
Mayo said he would be willing to draw up a concept sketch of the painting to present to the commissioners again within four weeks.
He would paint the massive mural for as little as $13,000.
