Murals with a Message of Transformation: Artist Camer1SF
Mural by Camer1sf. Visitation Valley, San Francisco CA.
You may recognize the Monarch Butterfly wings from murals in San Francisco and beyond. Artist Cameron Moberg has been painting walls in SF since the 90s. Starting with graffiti, and eventually becoming known for nature themes on massive walls, often accompanied by positive messaging. Large letters spelling, “REVIVE”, or “BE THE CHANGE”, or “YOU ARE LOVED”.
I spoke with Camer1 about his years living on 6th Street in San Francisco and his latest projects in his new home in Visitation Valley. When I asked him about his butterflies he told me, “I paint these for those who have been hurt and still hurting. Your transformation can and will come. Don’t waste your pain, allow it to transform you into something better. I pray that everyone walking by these paintings will feel that very thing, a sense of hope and transformation.”
Artist Name: Cameron Moberg
Web site: Camer1.com
Artist social Handle: @CAMER1sf
Medium(s): Spray paint
Portrait of the Artist.
Cameron then quoted Maya Angelou, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty,” After our chat, he told me he had to run, because artist Ricky Watts was coming to Visitation Valley to paint a wall with him, “my friend Daniele Rocha from 1Brush set up the grant,” he said, “with that funding we are working with neighborhood businesses and covering their walls with art.”
Rocha told me the grant funding for the latest murals came from the San Francisco Arts Commission. So without further ado, meet Camer1SF, an artist you should know…
View this post on Instagram
On the left a Camer1 Mural, on the right Ricky Watts mural. Church of Clowns, Visitation Valley, SF.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou
Ricky Watts mural 2024. Church of Clowns, Visitation Valley, SF.
Camer1 Mural 2024. Funding for both murals from San Francisco Arts Commission.
Brokeassstuart.com: What was your first job in San Francisco?
Camer1: First job….hmmm…I think a wood shelf store on 14th and Sanchez when I was 15.
You started your art career…
I have been doing art my entire life. Literally my first memories. My mom put my art in coffee shops in second grade. That was my first art show. So I guess I started in second grade. I shifted over to graffiti in 92. Eventually I started painting things I drew as a kid next to my graffiti. Slowly I got gigs that way. I won a reality show on street art 10 years ago and that gave me the confidence I needed to jump into art full-time.
We first discovered this mural while writing an article about The Marine Mammal Center, in Marin County.
Your art recently explores…
I used to explore a lot of nature themes. I’ve been drawing nature since I was little. I mean I still do paint things in nature but it got a little too easy. So lately I have been enjoying painting objects made by humans. Its straight lines and right angles are complicated in comparison to something organic. I have been enjoying paint-mad objects coupled with fragmented geometry.
What does the community in Visitation Valley mean to you?
I’ve heard it said, “San Francisco is friendly but not neighborly.” I grew up believing this until I moved to Viz Valley. Our neighbors look out for one another, spend time chatting when passing instead of being in a hurry, and support each others events. Not to mention our access here! The crosstown trail, you can walk to the bay or walk up to McLaren where we have pickle ball, tennis, basketball, mountain biking and more! We even have a golf course in our neighborhood. I especially love our greens ways that cut up the hill 5 or 6 blocks.
Any artists you think people NEED to know about in SF?
I know I paint murals but I’m a huge fan of graffiti. I think Satyr is way underrated. Same with my crew mates Cheph and Joker. For murals, I’d say Twins Mural Company is probably my favorite. Elaine and Marina are really incredible painters. I also think Josue Rojas is making waves right now with strong narratives in his work. Strider Patton’s geometric sculptures are pretty wild. I could go on and on about different artists I love and why though.
American Steel building, Oakland
Favorite place to see art in the Bay Area?
Right now I’d say Prescott Market in Oakland. My wife and I have a company called Talking Walls Art where we curate artists and organize festivals. So far we have been able to bring in 16 new pieces to West Oakland this year. By besides the work we have brought in Oakland is just covered. It’s got great energy. Other than that I’d say the Mission alleyways and Oakland tracks 
Camer1 mural in Indiana.
What’s coming up next for you?
Right now I’m working on painting a 15-story water tower in Indiana, we’re curating a festival in Montana called Arts Fest Montana and another in Sand City CA called WE Create. We also have more murals lined up in San Francisco and throughout theBay. I believe we will continue to curate for Prescott Market’s night market also which will be happening once a month.
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
I want to take the time to say thank you for supporting independent news media by reading BrokeAssstuart.com. Supporting independent news sources like Broke-Ass Stuart is vital to supporting our community because it amplifies the voices of a wide variety of diverse opinions. You also help support small businesses and local artists by sharing stories from Broke-Ass Stuart.
Because you're one of our supporters, I wanted to send over a pro-tip.
Our bi-weekly newsletter is a great way to get round ups of Broke-Ass Stuart stories, learn about new businesses in The Bay Area, find out about fun local events and be first in line for giveaways.
If you’d like to get our newsletter, signup right here, it takes 5 seconds.
You Might Also Like
