A striking 25-meter (82-foot) concrete wall along a residential driveway in Neukirch, Germany, has been transformed into an impressive outdoor art gallery featuring realistic depictions of local animals. The extensive mural, created by Ravensburg-based graffiti artist Mica One, showcases various native wildlife species rendered entirely in grayscale tones.
The unique project came to life through an unexpected collaboration between homeowner Robert Göggel and the versatile artist during a tattoo session. "My wife and I have always found Mica's art very impressive," Göggel explained, noting that he has been a client at the artist's Ravensburg tattoo studio for over ten years. The idea to transform the large, dreary concrete wall into an artistic canvas emerged naturally during one of these sessions.
Mica One, whose works can be found throughout Upper Swabia including an underpass in Weingarten and various commissioned pieces for local businesses, took on his first project in the Tettnang and Neukirch region. The artist spent approximately one week working daily on-site, creating the entire mural using only spray cans without a single brushstroke. "The clients' specifications were broad - they wanted local animals in black and white, but otherwise I had complete creative freedom," the artist revealed.
The completed mural features an impressive array of regional flora and fauna arranged along the garage wall and driveway entrance. The realistic artwork includes a hedgehog, various birds, an otter, a fox, a peony flower, a frog nestled in a bloom, a ladybug perched on a mushroom, a butterfly, and a grasshopper. All subjects are rendered in sophisticated grayscale tones that create striking visual impact against the concrete surface.
The 49-year-old artist employed cutting-edge technology in his creative process, demonstrating how traditional graffiti art has evolved with modern tools. "I created the animals using artificial intelligence, then converted them into line drawings on a tablet," Mica One explained. "I then transferred the preliminary sketch to the wall using VR glasses and sprayed using a template." This innovative approach allowed for precise execution of the realistic animal portraits.
Mica One brings extensive credentials to his street art practice, having trained as a theater painter and studied fine arts before establishing his Black Rainbow Studio tattoo parlor in Ravensburg. His artistic portfolio spans graffiti work, tattooing, and abstract painting. "I've been doing graffiti for a long time - that's how everything started," he reflected on his artistic journey that began with street art before expanding into other mediums.
The project has generated positive community response, with the homeowner expressing complete satisfaction with the results. "We are extremely happy with this giant unique piece. And the pedestrians who walk past the house are also delighted when they see it," Göggel shared. The choice of local wildlife themes was deliberate, as he explained: "We felt native animals were fitting for our area and represented timeless motifs that are always beautiful to look at."
Art enthusiasts interested in viewing more of Mica One's work can visit his current exhibition at the Neue Ravensburger Kunstverein, located at Möttelinstraße 17, which runs through December 14. The gallery showcase provides additional insight into the artist's range beyond his large-scale outdoor murals, highlighting his contributions to both street art and traditional gallery settings.
