James Abbott, East Grays Harbor County Muralist

Main intersection, Elma, Washington

This giant two panel mural was displayed on the NW corner of Elma's busiest intersection (it even has a traffic light!) The images faced east. I took this photo on Mar. 25, 2013.

On July 26, 2013, just by chance, I was witness to yet another major Abbott mural being obliterated.

Parking lot, Elma, Washington

Facing south on a parking lot behind the Elma Variety Store. Photo taken Dec. 22, 2012

This large, impressionistic mural by Abbott is on the south side of Elma's largest supermarket. The weather is really eating away at this one, and it is displayed in an area where the general public does not park. I found it by accident.

Photo taken April 8, 2012

El Ranchon, Elma, Washington

This beautiful indoor piece gives us a chance to see Abbott's use of color without the impact of weather. Photo taken Dec. 1, 2011

Another photo, this one from June 18, 2013.

Rusty Tractor, Elma, Washington

Taken Mar. 5, 2011. Abbott's work decorates the south and east exterior walls of the Rusty Tractor, a family dining establishment in Elma, Washington. This detail is from the south wall. He had to paint on some pretty rough surfaces in this case.

The south wall mural showing loggers with a donkey engine. Photo taken Oct. 9, 2011

By the time I took this photo of some rare freestanding Abbott creations outside the Rusty Tractor on Mar. 3, 2012, they were already in pretty bad shape. They have since been removed.

South wall detail, Sept. 14, 2013

The east wall mural of the Rusty Tractor is one of Abbott's more fun pieces. Photos taken Nov. 9, 2013

Gordon's Select Market, McCleary, Washington, pt. 3

The above photos were taken Sept. 7 and 8, 2013. The mural was showing very obvious signs of aging.

I didn't know it when I took the above photos, but the mural was slated to end. This final picture was taken Sept. 14, 2013. Although I miss this McCleary landmark, I am sure the cost and effort of restoring this large work would have been considerable, especially since the original artist was no longer around. Still, it had a good run of almost a quarter century.