The journey of a little cafe tucked away at Bargara continues to unfold as a new mural by renowned artist Steen Jones brightens the intimate setting.
Coating the once stark brick exterior with a vibrant ambiance, full of bright colours, the mural creates the vibes of an inner-city Melbourne coffee shop nestled a street away from the ocean.
The Journey Bargara owners Mat and Tegan Grills are ecstatic with their cafe's make-over, and Mat said it had secretly been in the works for a little while.
Mat said since The Journey Bargara opened its doors in late 2016, friends and customers had often mentioned giving the place a spruce up, but he said nothing had caught his eye – until now.
“Not even the staff were aware that we were going to do this.
“I have been following (on social media) Steen for some time, he is a pretty big deal, so when I contacted him, I actually didn’t think he would come.
“Funnily enough he was a tattoo apprentice with one of the guys I have been getting tattooed from for 10 years, and so I just reached out.”
Coming to the Bundaberg Region for the long weekend, Steen set to work on Saturday and within hours the transformation had taken place.
“At first, Steen said he didn’t know what he was going to do and that he normally wouldn’t decide until he comes to a place, gets a feel of the location and goes from there,” Mat said.
The Journey Bargara has the ideal coastal location, and the beautiful oceanside theme spreads across the brickwork, and there isn’t a clue in the finished product that the artwork was crafted freehand.
For those who know Mat, who is also known as the tattooed runner, they would see his passion and style for art engraved on his skin.
“It’s funny a few of the regulars look at me and say so this (Mat’s tattoos) is now just outside the café too,” he laughed.
“All along we have been the Melbourne vibe sort of shop, that’s where we have drawn a lot of out inspiration from, and I guess this is a continuation of that.
“I am just honoured Steen was able to come and do this.”
Hailing from Brisbane, Steen first began channelling his creativity within the tattoo industry, a stylistic influence that is clearly prevalent in his work today.
His bright and bold designs make for collectible and shareable works that bring joy and proudly adorn living room walls, laneways, multi-storey buildings – and even underwear – all around the globe.
Steen has put paintbrush to paper for Rolling Stone Magazine, aerosol to brick for Delta Airways and marker to shoe for Converse.
I love the artwork, it looks fabulous! Such a fun and quirky addition to Bargara… Also love your tshirt 🙂