Chris Veal, one of the artists behind the Atlanta Beltline’s Baby Yoda mural, took to Instagram Monday to remember his friend who helped create the piece.
Nelson "Nels" Guzman died earlier this month and street art tributes have emerged to honor him.
» RELATED: Local artists breathe new life into Atlanta Beltline with Baby Yoda mural
Veal is doing his part to remember his collaborator, whom he said is one of his best friends. He said on Instagram May 25 that “While I know it won't last forever Imma keep your piece looking good long as I can. All your other work too. What I would want.”
The accompanying image shows a before and after of the mural, in which Veal had removed the spray paint and added, “Rest In Paint.” Veal said in the caption that the Baby Yoda artwork was “My last wall with @grafilthy_art.”
Veal spent five hours with Guzman on New Year’s Day painting their versions of the character deemed by “The Mandalorian” fans as “Baby Yoda.” Veal told the AJC in January of the Beltline mural that he hopes “people enjoy the work.” The piece shows one Baby Yoda staring off and another munching on the letters of Guzman’s name, Nels G.
» RELATED: Submissions accepted for new art along the Beltline
In an email to the AJC, Veal shared how he met Guzman, instantly clicking before beginning to paint together.
“I met Nelson when he was working at Sam Flax art store here in Atlanta and immediately liked him,” he said. “We started painting together shortly after. Under bridges, in abandon(ed) buildings and commissions jobs.
Veal said Guzman would split his time between Atlanta and Los Angeles, flying back and forth to paint every couple of months.
“Many people knew him as the guy that did the cancer memorial pieces at (the) Kroger tunnel in honor of his sister,” Veal said. “Or the guy that drove a truck with prob around 6 or 700 cans of spray paint it the back, but outside of all that he was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. A caring guy that stood up for what he believed in and looked after people close to him. Atlanta really lost a great guy.”
Guzman's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to support the late artist's nieces, whom Veal said Guzman adopted after the death of his sister, and his parents.
About the Author
