Art Commissions in the Spotlight
Title
The Underground Economy
Artist
Doug Weaver
Client
Block, Inc.
About the Artwork
When artist Doug Weaver first moved to Missouri, he was surprised at how many homes had basements. He grew up in the Northwest, where this type of construction is rare. Weaver began to notice more and more that basements in St. Louis were no longer reserved for shelters and storage but were instead being used for entrepreneurial endeavors.
As real estate prices soared and small businesses turned to online shops, the need for a space at home for economic activity increased. Weaver faced this as he built his art studio in his own basement.
He then learned that his next-door neighbor ran a full hair salon while another retired neighbor down the street made and sold gourd art. This led to an exploration of homes and small businesses around St. Louis. This painting represents houses from several St. Louis neighborhoods, and each basement depicts real entrepreneurs in the city who work full-time businesses and side hustles out of the extra space in their own homes. It reveals the creativity and innovation that is happening underground all around us!
About the Artist
St. Louis-based artist Doug Weaver combines his roles as a husband, parent, adjunct art instructor, and proud community member with his passion for art. Earning an MFA in Painting from Fontbonne University, he later taught in Rwanda as a Peace Corps Volunteer before settling in St. Louis.
Weaver has showcased his talent in solo shows, featuring works inspired by Rwanda and St. Louis cityscapes and promoting local volunteerism. Unique in his craft, Weaver creates his paints from locally sourced materials and his own oxidized metals. His paint-making exploration extends to using dyes from plants grown in the Old North St. Louis Community Garden.
