After a February fire destroyed part of Satchel’s Pizza, owner Satchel Raye started a months-long project to redecorate. To continue the eclectic style the pizzeria is known for, Raye called upon local artists to bring their own flavors to the restaurant.
“Everything I do has a certain style, but I wanted to have a variety of artistic energy,” he said.
Marc Daniel, 26, is among the artists Raye asked to contribute. He’s currently creating a mural of abstract designs with attached wood pieces on one of the outside walls.
Daniel said Raye let him have artistic freedom but asked for “something kind of Aztec or tribal.”
For the past eight years, Daniel has worked with cut-paper art, but he is working with wood for this project. He has been working since Sept. 17, he said, and the mural should be done this week.
Raye said he saw some of Daniel’s work on Facebook after meeting him at the pizzeria and contacted him about creating a piece for the restaurant.
Daniel said he’s never done a 3-D mural like the one he’s putting together at Satchel’s.
The mural is based off a previous piece Daniel made with cut paper but is different because of its layers and about 80 wood pieces.
“I like to make new things, but sometimes revisiting something and making it new is good too,” Daniel said.
Daniel said he’s been working on making dog portraits and an animated music video as side projects.
“That’s how I’ve paid the rent the last couple of months,” he said.
Jason Raimondi, a 23-year-old UF art and technology senior, is working as Daniel’s assistant.
“I thought this was awesome,” Raimondi said. “I think it’s really cool to go from cut paper to wood.”
In addition to helping put together the mural, Raimondi is recording the process of creating it for a video project.
Raye said he encourages artists to record their processes through pictures and videos. He said he can use that media on the restaurant’s website and Facebook to get the word out about the new developments.
The pizzeria is recognized for its eccentric collection of artwork, including a motorcycle made of recycled material and a giant metal spider. Raye said the restaurant’s collection is about 60 percent his own art and about 40 percent from other artists.
“It’s just kind of a new idea I’ve put together to get local art and artists together,” Raye said. “We already have a handful of works by various artists, so I’m going to keep doing this until I run out of space.”
Marc Daniel, 26, is adding one of his signature masterpieces to the famous Satchel’s restaurant.
