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Help Us Solve the Marilyn Monroe Mystery in Phoenix
By Sam Lowe
For nearly a decade, an image of actress Marilyn Monroe caught the eyes of those who passed the northeast corner of 20th Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix. The mural-sized rendition of the late sex symbol languished for more than 30 feet on a black background on the west side of a building occupied by Truckmasters, and although many are familiar with it, nobody seemed to know why it was there or who put it there.
One version offered to me a few years ago is that the owner of a motorcycle shop on that corner wanted to paint a sign on the building, advertising his business but couldn't get a permit from the city. So, he commissioned the painting of Marilyn instead because it was a mural, not a sign. The signature under the painting merely said "Medina '02" but there were no other clues.
We now know that the mural was painted by Artist Tim Medina. Unfortunately, it was painted over in the spring of 2016. Are you one of the lucky people who got to see it in its prime?
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Stu 8 January, 2011 at 09:13 Reply
I'm guessing Medina did it.
vanessa 10 April, 2011 at 23:29 Reply
A man by the name of Timothy Medina did it. He is an un known artist
Kristi Medina 20 June, 2012 at 13:57 Reply
Tim	Medina is a self taught artist with 40 years experience.He lives in Scottsdale,Az.He is available for hire &you can contact me by email or call Tim @ 480 430 0111.
Diana DeMille 6 February, 2015 at 13:05 Reply
I've lived in Phoenix since I was 5. I am now almost 75. For years my husband and my Family have driven by Mr. Medina's Marilyn and always marvel at his rendition of Marilyn Monroe. I am an artist, but certainly not on the extraordinary scale as Tim Medina! Certainly he now knows his Marilyn is well known and much appreciated. I personally am in Awe! Please tell Mr. Medina a Huge Thank You from probably thousands of his fans.
Kristi Medina 2 June, 2016 at 14:29 Reply
I will definitly relay the message.Its not a mystery Timothy Medina from Scottsdale did it.A shame it was painted over.
Mary 20 June, 2012 at 15:19 Reply
According to this: http://www.azcentral.com/closeup/articles/phoenix-murals-close-up.html a Thomas Medina painted it.
Andrea Aker 22 July, 2012 at 17:51 Reply
Check out the latest update to this oddity! https://arizonaoddities.com/2012/07/oddities-need-updating-too/
Oddities Need Updating, Too | 22 July, 2012 at 17:52 Reply
[…] tell a lie.Marilyn Monroe mural in Phoenix. Photo Credit: Sam LoweNow on to Marilyn Monroe.The big mural-sized rendition of the blonde bombshell casts a come-hither look to all who pass by her permanent position on the side of a building […]
johnnyv 29 July, 2015 at 15:24 Reply
Sorry to say, but this beautiful mural is now gone… May 2015.
Munich Motors painted their logo over it, much better I am sure.
That mural has outlasted every business in that location (most seem
to close within a year or two) and I am sure that will be the case here.
Too bad, I loved that painting.
If you would like to tell them what you think, let 'em know here:
https://www.facebook.com/MunichMotorCo
Slater 21 January, 2017 at 17:00 Reply
I know who painted this he is my step-dad. But the painting isn't there anymore. Some one retarded painted over it. You can email me
Tigermartian1@gmail.com