Local artist peter Teekamp recently completed his gift to North Bend. Beginning in May, he started painting a mural on the restroom facilities at E.J. Park. Volunteering his efforts, he completed the mural earlier this month.

In January of this year, Teekamp approached city representatives with a proposal to paint the gray concrete facility free of charge. Living nearby, he said he wanted his neighbors to have something more visually appealing to welcome them to the park. In May, the city commissioned him to begin the project on the structure, which is about 9 feet tall and about 90 feet around.

“I just feel like it is a real benefit to citizens that an artist of his caliber donated his services to the city,” said Cheryl Proffitt, North Bend’s city clerk and the one who worked with Teekamp to implement his project. “I love how he incorporates the color.”

Paying homage to the Valley’s natural surroundings, Teekamp painted six window scenes of the same mountain view, but altered each with the characteristics of a different season and time of day. Winter and spring wrap around the outside corners, creating the illusion of one continuous scene.

He spent about three-to-four hours each day painting the mural. His goal was to develop something that would appeal to everyone in the community and still have fun in the creative process.

Teekamp enjoys spending time at Twede’s Cafe in North Bend, where he has artwork on display. The Dutch-born artist turned North Bend resident has painted murals around the world – some commissioned for up to $15,000 – but he mainly paints on canvas. His paintings start at $500.

For more information about Teekamp, visit www.peterteekamp.com.