I’ve been in Austin, Texas since pretty much the beginning. Well, not the very beginning, considering pioneers started settling in these parts around 1830, and I didn’t show up until 1967! Even though Austin is the state capitol, back then it was just a little college town – I even lived on UT campus with my parents for the first six-and-a-half years of my life. 
Today, Austin is the 11th most populated city in the U.S., and while many things have changed in these last five decades (growth of the tech industry, onslaught of insufferable traffic, endangered status of the Golden-cheeked Warbler), many things have stayed the same – namely, our mostly warm temperatures, laid-back culture, anything-goes vibe, and colorful street art scene. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite must-see murals in Austin and along with my street style tips inspired by adidas.
If there is a surface to be painted with street art in Austin (aka Austin graffiti art), someone will find it and “purdy” it up with a visual message. It is too hard to name the best Austin murals or most famous Austin murals, and new Austin murals keep popping up every month. So, today, I’m sharing a small collection of my personal favorite Austin murals and Austin street art. The theme coincidentally revolves around “Love,” “Frogs,” and “Keep Austin Weird” – all things I hold true to my heart (did you know a frog is my spirit animal and my childhood nickname was Frogifer?).
I just ran out of room to give history on all the Austin murals in this pin — plus dozens and dozens of others not even pictured. Put on your running shoes and go find them — these are some of the most fun things see in Austin!
Props to adidas for giving me so many laid-back and sporty options for movin’ and groovin’ alongside my favorite must-see Austin murals. As you will notice from the Austin street art pictures, every viewing elicits a jump, handstand or high five of some sort! So, I always make sure I’m dressed in comfy, stylish athleisure from adidas that accommodates my impromptu movements with flair and function – some of my favorites items from adidas these days are leggings and tights, hoodies and sweatshirts, and sunglasses.
“Hi, How Are You” Frog Mural: Many have seen the iconic “Hi, How Are You” frog mural (W. 21st Street and Guadalupe Street), but no little of its significance to the Austin music scene and that cool this must endure. From what I understand, in 1993, Sound Exchange record store commissioned local musician Daniel Johnston to make a mural of the frog, which appeared a decade earlier on the cover of his 1883 album, “Hi, How Are You: The Unfinished Album.” When a new business owner moved into the location, they caused a stir with Austinites announcing they would remove the mural from their side wall. Being short-sighted on the revenue-generating impact that a famous frog can have on business, they eventually caved on painting over the frog mural and moved out. The new, smarter business on that property, Thai Spice caved got a license on the Hi, How Are You” frog mural so they can share it forever. Pro tip: When mural-sighting on a hot day, wear a tank top with sweat-wicking technology from adidas to help you stay cool and dry.
“i love you so much” Mural: A simple spray-painted message of love from a local musician (Amy Cook) to her partner, Liz Lambert (of Jo’s Coffee) has become one of the city’s most famously photographed murals. It’s been vandalized a couple times, but always restored to its original heart-felt, no-frills glory. Besides being reminded of the message that “love prevails,” I do enjoy getting my caffeine fix from Jo’s Coffee and so does my friend @ecleticrunner pictured here, ready for anything, in her adidas running shorts.
“Love Yourself” Mural: This Austin mural is the result of a 24-hour “Love Yourself” campaign from Goodtype that invited artists to submit their best idea for “Love Yourself” street art. This colorful and friendly concept from local Tara Johnson wasn’t the actual winner, but it was so well received they decided to turn into a wall-sized mural, with the help of the organization HOPE, in East Austin between 4th and 5th Street! Again, thanks to my beautiful friend @eclecticrunner for being fabulous in super-hip, head-to-toe black and giving herself a much-deserved hug.
“Good Hair” Mural: Lol, you’ve probably never seen this Austin mural, because I JUST noticed it last week popping up a small little hair salon in the lake area near my home. As a runner and gym-goer whose hair is almost always in a pony tail or braids, I let my locks loose, as it was love at first sight — I wanted to celebrate this Austin mural that celebrates good hair with good hair! Pro Tip: Wear exercise tights in a fun print, like my from adidas, that take you from workout to running errands – and dressed ready to snap a Instagram photo when you see a fun mural.
“Houston Toads” Mural: I told you I had a think about frogs . . . and toads! This large-scale piece of Austin street art features f two endangered Houston toads (found at 222 E. 6th Street) was painted in 2016 by British artist Louis Masaipart as part of his 12 city “The Art of Beeing” tour which focuses on various animals in the fast-escalating extinction crisis and calls on us all to come together, in the manner of bees, to put nature first. I love how BIG this mural is and all the intricate patchwork patterns that come together to form the toads.
“A-Gadda-Da-Vida” Projected Mural: Okay, and forgive me Austin die-hards, but this painted and projected light mural is actually in the new Zachry Engineering Complex at A&M University, about a 1.5 hour drive away from downtown ATX. Even though the piece, called “A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” is not technically “street art,” nor in Austin proper, the new facility has so much cool art to appreciate — more about it all here.
As you can see, my street style is definitely fun, functional, more form-fitting! I want to be about to run, jump and cartwheel as the moment inspires me and not have clothes confine me, bind me or sideline me. And, with Austin’s sunny weather, I definitely need fashionable yet functional sunglasses. I also need to wear clothes that feel good, move good and make me look good when I’m finding new things to see in Austin – adidas makes this easy! Pro tip: Wear what makes YOU feel good and check out adidas for some great street style finds inspo.
Have you ever visited Texas and seen the Austin street art scene, or have a favorite Austin mural? How would you describe your own personal street style – boots and jeans, yoga tights and tank tops, flowy dresses and sandals? Please share your thoughts in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer
This post is sponsored by adidas. However, all opinions, comments and enthusiasm remain my own.