Created: 2013
Media: Tire-totem covered with canvas sheath, painted with acrylic paints
Size: 9-foot high
Location: Was located at The Sprout Urban Farm community garden, on Kendall Street in Battle Creek, MI. Sadly, this mural experienced a destructive event and is no longer in existence.

Funding: A grant from the Calhoun County Arts Council made this totem possible - many thanks!

NOTE: The 10 tires that were saved from a landfill with this installation were donated by Fred's Service Station in Marshall, MI.

"You Are What You Eat:
The Veg Heads"

The three drummers are having a great time collaborating on their music, which also happens when neighbors collaborate on projects like the Sprout Urban Farms garden. 

The musicians produce music that turns into fruits and vegetables, while the volunteers at the garden grow produce while producing their own beautiful music in harmony with nature. 

This tire-totem was covered with a canvas wrap so that detailed painting could be applied. 

HOUND DOG = 10 fruits/vegs
Wax Gourd (or Winter Melon) body
Kale head with
Plaintain jowls 
Fig nose and
Sage ears
Swiss Chard chest
Wasabi whole leg/paw and
Pattypan Squash paw
Shallot eye with 
Black currant pupil

LEFT DRUMMER = 21 fruits/vegs
Nopal (Cactus) hat with a
Leek brim
Spaghetti Squash head
Kohlrabi ear and
Cilantro hair
Green onion nose
Tarragon eyes and a 
Fava Bean mouth
Garbonzo Bean (Chickpea) neck
Habanero Pepper and 
Fennel shoulder
Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) left chest
Cucumber and
Sweet Potato (Yam) arm with
Green Pea fingers and 
Peanut thumb
Collard Green right chest
Zuchinni, 
Okra and
Celery arm with a 
Ginger Root hand

MIDDLE DRUMMER =  23 fruits/vegs
Iceburg Lettuce head
Long Bean spiky hair
Endive and
Arugula bushy hair
Bay Leaf eye
Portabella Mushroom nose
Green Bean lips with
Corn teeth
Cauliflower ear
Daikon radish neck (some of the green leaves are in the hair),
Blackberry and
Lima Bean neck
Butterneck Squash chest and
Pumpkin stomach with a little
Coriander seeds
Horned Melon arm with
Mango hand, 
Asparagus fingers and
Pear thumb
Yellow Summer Squash and 
Banana art with
Parsnip forearm and 
Buddhas Hand Melon hand

RIGHT DRUMMER = 24 fruits/vegs
Bok Choy head with
Oregano Hair and
Fiddlehead ear
Radish nose
Mint eye with 
Blueberry pupil and
Endamame mouth
Gooseberry and 
Brocolli neck
Rhubarb collar
Red and Orange Pepper shirt front with
Tomato and
Apple shoulder
Dragon Fruit and
Radicchio Lettuce and
Green Pepper sleeve
Potato hand
Carrot fingers and
Horseradish thumb
Watermelon stomach
Eggplant (Aubergine) arm with
Grape sleeve
Snow pea fingers and
Basil leaf thumb

MUSIC NOTES = 12 fruits/vegs
      (whole notes)
Honeydew melon
Artichoke
      (other notes)
Cherries
Kumquat
Orange and Avocado (pictured)
Persimmon and Peach
Kiwi and Brussels Sprout
Plum and Ugli Fruit

Also on “ground” between the 
cooking pot drums are 
Dill and Chives