LOS ANGELES (KABC) — If you’re a Dodgers fan, you’ve probably taken a photo in front of the giant mural of Shohei Ohtani on the side of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo.
Well, that mural was quite life-changing for artist Robert Vargas.
“I’m definitely full of gratitude,” he told Eyewitness News on Thursday.
Vargas is living his dream of creating art for people to enjoy, and his Dodgers-themed murals are bringing lots of joy to the city, especially as the team gears up for Game 1 of the World Series.
“It took me nine days to paint that mural, completely free hand. No grids, no projections, all with a brush, hanging off the side of that building,” recalled Vargas.
The Ohtani mural in Little Tokyo earned Vargas acclaim throughout Dodger nation – from L.A. to Japan.
In fact, he even created a life-size mural in Ohtani’s hometown in Japan.
“The day before the home opener here, I was in Japan … unveiling a new mural of him there,” said Vargas. “So there’s kind of like this ambassadorship that’s happening between myself and Los Angeles and the nation of Japan.”
Vargas also created a mural for Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who died last year.
“I just so happened to paint it the day that he passed away,” said Vargas. “There’s no better place for these murals to exist than this Shohei Ohtani right here in the heart of Little Tokyo and the Fernando Valenzuela mural right in the heart of Boyle Heights.”
Boyle Heights is home for Vargas.
“I come from humble beginnings, and the work that I’m creating, I’m hoping that kids who look like me are able to dream that they, too, can do it,” said Vargas.
Angelenos and Dodger fans have come to adore Vargas so much, the city dedicated a slice of the community to him, calling it Robert Vargas Square, which is nestled next to Mariachi Square in downtown L.A.
“You know, the story isn’t done,” said Vargas. “There’s so much more to do, so much more work to create.”
