Fitchburg artist making his mark around the Twin Cities and beyond

FITCHBURG-People are really starting to notice the extraordinary creations of artist Chris Bomengen on display throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.

His works include a large -scale mural he recently placed on Summer Street featuring four historically related city figures.

Lucy Stone, Alvah Crocker, Booker T. Washington and Charles Judson Becker were all featured on the long retaining wall adjacent to the North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors parking lot. The nonprofit organization commissioned Bomengen for the project after seeing his work in the area.

The finished mural product by Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen was made recently on Summer Street featuring four historically related city figures - Lucy Stone, Alvah Crocker, Booker T. Washington, and Charles Judson Becker.  (CURTESY CHRIS BOMENGEN)
The finished mural product by Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen was made recently on Summer Street featuring four historically related city figures – Lucy Stone, Alvah Crocker, Booker T. Washington, and Charles Judson Becker. (CURTESY CHRIS BOMENGEN)

“As Realtors, a strong community is very important to us,” said NCMAR and Pelletier Properties President Nicholas Pelletier. “We saw this mural as a great way to make a vacant wall a way of inspiring our local community.”

Bomengen, who grew up in Leominster and graduated from Leominster High School in 2010, earned a criminal justice degree from Worcester State University. He launched his business, Boms ’Freehand Pinstriping & Graphics, in 2019, the same year he moved to Fitchburg.

A striking mural made by Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen adorns the wall at LG Moda Salon & Boutique in Leominster.  (CURTESY CHRIS BOMENGEN)
A striking mural made by Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen adorns the wall at LG Moda Salon & Boutique in Leominster. (CURTESY CHRIS BOMENGEN)

After being a correction officer at Shirley for seven years and then moving into his own business as a career, Bomengen said he watched a YouTube video that “surprised my interest” and was inspired to start making murals made exclusively using spray paint.

“I enjoy the challenge, as I do everything with spray paint,” he said. “No formal training, no brushes or stencils, something I want to try and hopefully get my name out there.”

The first mural he made, eight months ago, is on the rear exterior wall of Tavern 13 in downtown Leominster, depicting a brightly dressed bearded gentleman holding a glass of whiskey. Many more of Bomengen’s art can be seen throughout the region, including at LG Moda Salon & Boutique in Leominster, Toy Town THC, a dispensary in Winchendon, LUK Inc. in Fitchburg, on a rotary in Gardner, and in his garage, his creative home base.

“It’s amazing,” Bomengen said. “Before this I did nothing but doodle.”

“I’m a freehand pinstriper, laying lines on classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, etc., but again, no formal training.”

The marvel of Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen is on display at the Winchendon dispensary Toy Town THC.  (CURTESY CHRIS BOMENGEN)
The marvel of Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen is on display at the Winchendon dispensary Toy Town THC. (CURTESY CHRIS BOMENGEN)

Pelletier said the numbers chosen for the mural were “identified by” Bomengen “in collaboration with the Fitchburg Historical Society to recognize their various impacts on Fitchburg’s early development as a community.”

“His talent is really remarkable, it’s fun to watch him work,” Pelletier said of the muralist. “The buzz around the mural is amazing. We are excited that the community loves it as much as we do. ”

Bomengen posted on his Boms ’Freehand Facebook page on July 8 after the mural was completed, mentioning that the four celebrities were“ All history is related to Fitchburg with a lot of information on the Fitchburg Historical Society that helped greatly on this project! “

“A big thank you to the @pelletierprops team -Annie Reiser and Nicholas Pelletier for arranging this exciting piece, as well as a big thank you to the local residents and their support, who gave me cold water , apples, and many beautiful words! ” he wrote.

Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen is working on the mural he recently placed on Summer Street in his hometown depicting four historically relevant city figures.  (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
Fitchburg artist Chris Bomengen is working on the mural he recently placed on Summer Street in his hometown depicting four relevant city figures in history. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

For Bomengen, the new chapter in his life was a new and exciting beginning, a clean record to say the least.

“The biggest thing for me is that at the end of the day I just want something to be proud of,” he said. “One of the most humbling things in the world is starting from scratch at 30 years old, but if there’s one thing I can stress about, it’s not to live less. I know I prefer life and after starting this journey, I now know that my opportunities are endless.