Hardy mums are still filling yards with color and some of our gorgeous fall leaves are hanging on, yet as winter begins to settle in, a little extra color never hurts! This month, we are thankful for color that endures in the form of the Love Your Alley murals adorning alleys throughout Bexley. Here, meet some of the artists inspired to beautify our roadways all year long.

Nora Steele has painted five murals, and she learned to translate a passion for digital art into painting. “I had to purchase supplies to even begin my first mural!” she says. A BHS class of 2012 graduate, she now lives in the Hocking Hills area where she welcomes Montrose second graders on an annual field trip.

“I consider myself a Naturalist first and an artist second. My passion for the natural world has always been a driving force in my life, and I believe that art is a powerful tool for educating and inspiring others. I currently work as a Naturalist at Wahkeena Nature Preserve in the Hocking Hills region. I lead nature walks and tours, as well as art programming. When I received an iPad as a gift in 2019, I saw it as an opportunity to express myself and began to teach myself digital illustration.” During the pandemic, she created worksheets based on her art to help newly homeschooling parents “educate and inspire wonder of the natural world.”

See her work at 162 S Remington, 46 S Cassady, 2576 Bryden Rd, 2543 Bryden Rd and 654 Euclaire Ave. She sells her illustrations at local nature events and festivals. Find her at @nature_lassie on Instagram or search Nora Steele on Facebook.

Susan Couden, a professional artist, retired from teaching art at Columbus Jewish Day School a few years ago, shortly before starting the first of four murals for LYA.

“I love how the Love Your Alley project brings community together to help to save the planet. I see the mural work as an opportunity to encourage community members to learn about how we can work together to create a healthy home for all members of our community including plants, insects and animals.”

Susan has lived in Bexley for more than 30 years and raised her family here. Her murals are located at 2561 Bryden, 686 Gould, 1058 Vernon and 70 S. Cassady.

Nora Daniel specializes in portraits of people, pets and homes using oil, ink, pencil and watercolor and had a painting in the juried biennial at the Riffe Gallery downtown last month. A Bexley resident since 2016, Nora is no stranger to paining on a large scale. She has been painting for connoisseurs with large spaces as well as smaller works. “I love sharing my work with the world which is why it’s been such a pleasure and honor to do these murals,” she says.

You can see her murals at 99 S. Remington, 130 N. Remington, 216 N. Remington and 2481 Sherwood. Visit www.noradaniel.com or @NoraVDaniel on Instagram.