Artist Patrick Nguyen who goes by the artist name Dozfy is all about inclusiveness and connection. He's and his team are responsible for the new animal mural on the outside of the restroom on Alki.

It's across from Blue Moon Burgers in the 2500 block on Alki Ave. SW.

"Whenever we do a project like this the goal is really to connect to a community, whoever that is, you know whether trying to cross generations. We're trying to bring some traditional pieces in with something a little more modern and and you know, marry those and appeal to everyone. You know, that's really the goal and and to be more inclusive."

He's classically trained as a portrait artist and believe it or not is also a medical doctor who is on call for long term care facilities.

The mural was funded by the relatively recent HOPE Corps grant program established in 2022. Individual artists, creative workers, community groups, and arts and cultural organizations are eligible to apply for Hope Corps funding, ranging from $15,000 – $300,000.

He's originally from Austin, Texas but later moved to Atlanta, GA and did his first public artwork for a restaurant in Chicago, following up with art for Leon's Full Service back in Atlanta. After he moved to Seattle he got a commision to paint the delivery vans for Hama Hama Oysters and for Solare restaurant. From there he did a massive octopus for Proper Fish on Bainbridge Island.

Working with a team now he has artwork at a number of noteworthy Seattle restaurants but is available for both commercial and private commissions. Reach out to him through his Instagram account @Dozfy. 

His project manager Heidi Drockelman noted that while public art can sometimes be the victim of tagging or defacing struck an optimistic note, "We've had a lot of really great interactions with the neighbors around here already. And so, you know, getting neighborhood buy in is really like key too, because people kind of like the art a little bit more. There's a lot of folks that walk along here every day and we've seen them and they're really interested in what what's happening. They'll kind of look out for it too, right, because it's part of their neighborhood.

Nguyen concluded, "The reason we try to be inclusive is because we know it's like to be that young artist trying to make something and speak your voice.. Now we understand where the audience is coming from. So we can kind of marry the two and you know, find a win win situation like that."