So, right after the ‘Big Win’! I started seeing stories of this mural by homeboy Robert Vargas, and I thought “Man! That guy is FAST! So I checked it out and well, he’s fast, but not THAT Fast!
He did the Ohtani mural last year when Ohtani was new to the team, just really good timing!
Here's a couple articles I found on the mural and also a mural Vargas did on Valenzuela.
Check out the videos too! -RQ
He did the Ohtani mural last year when Ohtani was new to the team, just really good timing!
Here's a couple articles I found on the mural and also a mural Vargas did on Valenzuela.
Check out the videos too! -RQ
by LINA LECARO / APRIL 2, 2024 (UPDATED: AUGUST 21, 2025)
Little Toyko is a top destination for everything from shopping to sushi, but as of last week, there’s a very big new reason to visit the area. Local artist Robert Vargas, whose mural portraits around the city have become known for their ability to capture the soulful essence of the people living here, has created a huge likeness of L.A.’s most famous new resident: Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Just in time for the season opener last week, Vargas’ majestic painting of Ohtani brought lots of excitement to the area as it was unveiled. He’s been living on scaffolding, painting the 13-story, 150-foot-tall likeness of Ohtani for 7-10 hours everyday for the past few months on the side of the Miyako Hotel. And now that it’s complete, it’s spreading “Dodger Blue” pride beyond Echo Park and Elysian Park. But it’s not just about our city’s beloved baseball team for the artist.
Vargas, who grew up in Boyle Heights and says his mom used to work at the original Clifton’s Cafeteria, has always sought to bring L.A. cultures together, both with his art and with unique events (his Red Zebra parties topped my “Best of L.A. Nightlife” lists many times throughout the years).
Just in time for the season opener last week, Vargas’ majestic painting of Ohtani brought lots of excitement to the area as it was unveiled. He’s been living on scaffolding, painting the 13-story, 150-foot-tall likeness of Ohtani for 7-10 hours everyday for the past few months on the side of the Miyako Hotel. And now that it’s complete, it’s spreading “Dodger Blue” pride beyond Echo Park and Elysian Park. But it’s not just about our city’s beloved baseball team for the artist.
Vargas, who grew up in Boyle Heights and says his mom used to work at the original Clifton’s Cafeteria, has always sought to bring L.A. cultures together, both with his art and with unique events (his Red Zebra parties topped my “Best of L.A. Nightlife” lists many times throughout the years).
And if you ever went to the Downtown Art Walk in its heyday, you might remember him and the large crowds who would surround him on the sidewalks as he painted subjects with black oil bars and large white paper placed on the ground. There is a certain level of performance to his art process and it’s always fun to watch.
Vargas once said that the street was “his studio” and now that he’s moved on to bigger projects like this mural, that is more true than ever. He paints freehand style sans grids or projections, but does do a lot planning and design prep. His latest takes his interactive proclivities in a new direction. Co-created with The AR Firm, the mural has a corresponding QR code that allows viewers to see Ohtani swinging and pitching in animated movements towards Dodgers Stadium.
Despite a recent scandal involving Ohtani’s interpreter and illegal gambling, good will for the Japanese player remains high, and the mural is a testament to both his likability and stature. It’s also another example of L.A.’s artistic community expressing its eternal love for the city that inspires us all.
“I’m really looking forward to the people who are from all different parts of the city that will come here to look at this mural,” Vargas says.” I hope when they do, they feel a sense of city pride.”
Vargas once said that the street was “his studio” and now that he’s moved on to bigger projects like this mural, that is more true than ever. He paints freehand style sans grids or projections, but does do a lot planning and design prep. His latest takes his interactive proclivities in a new direction. Co-created with The AR Firm, the mural has a corresponding QR code that allows viewers to see Ohtani swinging and pitching in animated movements towards Dodgers Stadium.
Despite a recent scandal involving Ohtani’s interpreter and illegal gambling, good will for the Japanese player remains high, and the mural is a testament to both his likability and stature. It’s also another example of L.A.’s artistic community expressing its eternal love for the city that inspires us all.
“I’m really looking forward to the people who are from all different parts of the city that will come here to look at this mural,” Vargas says.” I hope when they do, they feel a sense of city pride.”
New mural of LA Dodger Shohei Ohtani reminds Little Tokyo why they bleed blue
by Panahon Mika, an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology, with minors in Advertising and Cinematic Arts. She enjoys being a perpetual tourist in Los Angeles, where she was born and raised. She is eager to share her journey through the heart of pop culture and the soul of LA, writing for Annenberg Media. March 30, 2024
A 150-foot-tall mural featuring baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani was officially unveiled in Little Tokyo Wednesday morning, a day before the Dodgers’ home opener game. Ohtani signed with the LA Dodgers just a few months ago with a whopping $700 million contract, the largest sports contract in history.Native Angeleno Robert Vargas designed and painted the mural which showcased Ohtani’s two-way talents as a batter and pitcher.
As an artist honored by the city of Los Angeles, Vargas is known for painting murals of LA icons, such as Kobe Bryant, that can be found throughout Downtown LA. On the days leading up to the event, the Boyle Heights artist encouraged fans to watch him complete the mural, painting every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The mural scales the side of the Miyako Hotel, beside the Japanese Village Plaza. Ohtani shares a connection with the Japanese American district, as he hails from Japan. Though Ohtani’s LA debut would come the next day, the large turnout for the unveiling was proof that fans were ready to support Ohtani in his new journey as a Dodger.
This homage also comes days after Ohtani fired his interpreter who was involved in a theft and sports gambling scandal. Nevertheless, both the Japanese community and Dodger fans alike joined in the festivities on Wednesday. This was a union that was particularly special to Vargas.
“We’re team LA and looking at everybody here, I see the whole country of Japan rooting for Shohei,” Vargas said. “We’re all Angelenos rooting for Shohei. That nation and Dodger Nation are all on the same team. ”Performers played taiko drums for the crowd as they waited for the mural, which had been covered with a blue tarp for most of the morning. Lowriders, a staple of LA Chicano culture, were displayed for attendees to admire. The cars were featured along East 1st Street, which closed for the event.
A 150-foot-tall mural featuring baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani was officially unveiled in Little Tokyo Wednesday morning, a day before the Dodgers’ home opener game. Ohtani signed with the LA Dodgers just a few months ago with a whopping $700 million contract, the largest sports contract in history.Native Angeleno Robert Vargas designed and painted the mural which showcased Ohtani’s two-way talents as a batter and pitcher.
As an artist honored by the city of Los Angeles, Vargas is known for painting murals of LA icons, such as Kobe Bryant, that can be found throughout Downtown LA. On the days leading up to the event, the Boyle Heights artist encouraged fans to watch him complete the mural, painting every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The mural scales the side of the Miyako Hotel, beside the Japanese Village Plaza. Ohtani shares a connection with the Japanese American district, as he hails from Japan. Though Ohtani’s LA debut would come the next day, the large turnout for the unveiling was proof that fans were ready to support Ohtani in his new journey as a Dodger.
This homage also comes days after Ohtani fired his interpreter who was involved in a theft and sports gambling scandal. Nevertheless, both the Japanese community and Dodger fans alike joined in the festivities on Wednesday. This was a union that was particularly special to Vargas.
“We’re team LA and looking at everybody here, I see the whole country of Japan rooting for Shohei,” Vargas said. “We’re all Angelenos rooting for Shohei. That nation and Dodger Nation are all on the same team. ”Performers played taiko drums for the crowd as they waited for the mural, which had been covered with a blue tarp for most of the morning. Lowriders, a staple of LA Chicano culture, were displayed for attendees to admire. The cars were featured along East 1st Street, which closed for the event.
The mural also featured an augmented reality component, allowing fans to scan QR codes posted around the street to view the mural as a moving piece through mobile devices.
After remarks from Robert Vargas and other community leaders, attendees excitedly counted down as the blue tarp dropped to reveal the fresh tribute. Confetti rained down on the sea of blue jerseys as cheers broke out.Local businesses welcomed customers coming from the event for the rest of the day and the Japanese Village Plaza bustled with renewed optimism.
See the mural (Video), titled “LA Rising,” now up on 328 E 1st St.
After remarks from Robert Vargas and other community leaders, attendees excitedly counted down as the blue tarp dropped to reveal the fresh tribute. Confetti rained down on the sea of blue jerseys as cheers broke out.Local businesses welcomed customers coming from the event for the rest of the day and the Japanese Village Plaza bustled with renewed optimism.
See the mural (Video), titled “LA Rising,” now up on 328 E 1st St.
Check out this video,
“Ohtani Mural Little Tokyo"
Mural of L.A. Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani a hit in Little Tokyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3gOGwZXDKA
“Ohtani Mural Little Tokyo"
Mural of L.A. Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani a hit in Little Tokyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3gOGwZXDKA
The Fernando Valenzuela mural is officially unveiled in Boyle Heights.
Muralist and Boyle Heights native son Robert Vargas has been working around the clock to get the mural finished.
It was unveiled on Sunday. (Originally published Nov. 3, 2024)
Fans gathered around site all morning, about a block west of Mariachi Plaza, to celebrate the moment. To so many in the community, Valenzuela was more than a lethal southpaw and baseball player who wore No. 34.
“I remember bonding with my father over listening to Fernando on the radio,” said Josefina Lopez, a playwright. “And so for a lot of us Fernando represents our fathers, our brothers, our uncles, and he represents a good man, a hero.”
LAist producer Kevin Tidmarsh contributed to this story.
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