Mural Painting
(Photo : Pinterest)

January 26, 2020 is a day that no one will forget. This will become part of history and will be part of everyone's life through upcoming generations. This is the day where Kobe Bryant, the NBA Legend, together with his daughter and other individuals, died due to a helicopter crash.

The world was stunned when the news about Kobe Bryant's death went public. The news was first reported by a celebrity news outlet and was later confirmed by other media outlets including Latin Post. Sports fans, sports enthusiasts, athletes, and people around the globe mourned for Bryant's death.

His death was one of the unexpected moments that no one ever imagined. After it was known and confirmed that Bryant was included in the helicopter crash, many gathered in front of the Staples Arena in Los Angeles where he spent 20 years of his career as a professional basketball player. They offered flowers, memorabilia, candles, and many more.

One of the tributes that went viral online in different social media is a mural painting of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. It was painted by a 33-year-old Latino fan of Bryant, Efren Andaluz. According to Andaluz he never met Bryant personally but he remained a fan of Los Angeles Lakers.

Andaluz told a news outlet, "The death of Kobe was my main inspiration, but I've always been a Lakers fan my whole life, which growing up in New York has been a little difficult."

The mural painting of the NBA Legend is located across the Barclays Center. The painting did not get there coincidentally. He wanted to honor his favorite player and the only way for him to do it is through painting. He said: "I told myself I was going to create a tribute. I just needed a wall." 

Andaluz shared on how did he get the space to have his mural painting. He said that he searched a place in Brooklyn somewhere near the Barclays Center and called several real- estate agents until one agent finally called him back. 

He also shared the details on how did he paint Kobe and Gigi Bryant including the materials that he used. He also said that he wanted his mural to be dramatic and the reason why he included Gigi in the mural because she is following the footsteps of her father. This is something that Andaluz is proud of also because he also has his daughter. He said: "I have a daughter myself so when this happened, it was devastating. It was the first time that I didn't know somebody personally and I started crying over them dying." 

He made sure that he placed Gigi's face with a smile. It took Andaluz five days to finish the mural and one important thing that he did also is to include the names of victims in the fatal helicopter crash. He wished to paint the faces of other victims, however, there isn't enough space.

Andaluz also revealed that he prayed before he did the painting. He asked the Lord's guidance by guiding his thoughts and his hands to make the painting correctly. Moreover, Andaluz will eventually make another mural that is dedicated to every victim of the fatal helicopter crash.

Kobe Bryant had greatly impacted Andaluz as a Latino. He said that Bryant's Mamba mentality and on how Bryant value his family are only two of the things that helped him to solidify his Latino background, the value of family.