Photo by Dan Rosenstrauch for the Contra Costa Times

Beginning in September 2010, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system featured my artwork for their annual Featured Artist poster series. The name of the series is "The First Ride" and consists of three different images that explore children's imagination in the BART system. In each drawing, a young rider sees something unusual going on but the adults around aren't aware. The artwork is displayed in BART stations throughout the Bay Area until the end of October 2010.Here are the three images for the series:

The direction from BART was very open ended. They were interested in something that explored a narrative in the BART system. I chose a child's point-of-view because it best describes a sense of wonder, and it's inclusive to all ages. Each scenario is a window into a passing moment of imagination with the unusual architecture of the BART system interiors. Here's a process shot of one of the poster designs:

Here's a photo of the artwork in place at 12th St. Station in Oakland:

There's been a bit of press about the series. In addition to being featured on BART's website and blog, the Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune ran stories about the series. BART has also started a "First Ride" story contest, where riders can submit stories about their first experience on BART. The winner gets a set of signed posters. It's been a great project and I love hearing feedback from BART riders about the artwork.