Tucson Oddity: Haunting mural draws plenty of looks at the Viking Car Wash

The blood-curdling scene features a shrieking, fiery-haired, yellow-eyed demon, a skull and bones sprawled on the ground and a sharp-toothed, spiked beast stomping the skull while roaring.

Owner Adam Huerta said the mural has become a roadside attraction.

"I think it's a very unique drawing," Huerta said. "Lots of people stop by and take pictures. It catches a lot of eyes."

The business, at 1120 S. Sixth Ave., has been around since 1984, when Huerta's father, Richard left his job as a detail shop manager to open it. Adam Huerta's brother, Richard, also ran the business for a time.

The artist is Jesus Robles Jr., 27, who is serving a two-year prison sentence for aggravated assault and is scheduled to be released next year.

Neither Huerta nor Robles' father, also named Jesus, can remember when Robles painted the mural.

"He's pretty good. He's talented," said the elder Robles, who owns the neighboring Springpedic Mattress Factory, 1021 S. Sixth Ave.

The elder Robles didn't know whether his son has done other murals in town. He says he doesn't see his son too often, but looks forward to helping him get his life re-established once he's released.

Robles' heads-turning display made an impression on renowned local artist Nick Georgiou.

"Death in all its glory: color, beauty, conflict," Georgiou said about the mural via email. "Raising more questions than answers. It reminds me of the graffiti I used to see on trains growing up in NYC. Someone's telling a story here."

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Contact the Star newsroom at oddity@azstarnet.com or 807-7776.

Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com