Michael Supino and his wife Shannon Cross own Red Star Pizza at 7514 35th Avenue Southwest and had been running their small business successfully since July of 2009 when they were approached a few weeks ago by someone who thought their already colorful exterior could be better. That person was Chester Carlson, who has high aspirations to be a kind of graffiti-hip hop style artist.

By day he works as a Traffic Manager for Allied Waste but in his free time he paints.

Our previous story about Red Star Pizza is here.

Supino already had a "space theme" at the small pizza shop and Carlson told him he could make it far better, while not disrespecting the work that had already been done. The two came to an agreement, part of which involved a fair amount of free pizza and other compensation and Carlson got to work.

Sketching his designs first on paper, he then worked to expand the ideas to the larger surface of both the north and south walls. The north wall incorporates an idea that wasn't entirely original. The "D" in RedStar frames the window in the door. "That was my girlfriend's idea," said Carlson. That must have impressed Supino because she now works there.

"It's awesome isn't it?" asked Supino. "I'm so lucky to have him come in and do it." When Carlson pitched the idea Supino said, "I can tell you have the passion, I can feel it in you so I'm going to give you license to do what you want," and he did.

Carlson will be doing a mural of some kind for the nearby Mars Hill Church soon and is seeking other work.

You can reach him at Chestercarlson50@yahoo.com.

You can reach RedStar Pizza at (206) 923-0555