Artist Creates Giant Beto O'Rourke Crop Circle Artwork In Austin

EAST AUSTIN, TEXAS — Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, a former congressman from El Paso, Texas, has his share of fans, including one showing support rather uniquely in East Austin.

Kansas-based artist Stan Herd has chosen a swath of East Austin land to create a piece of his self-proclaimed "earthwork" featuring a giant likeness of the presidential hopeful. The 2-acre crop-circle like creation is located on land near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, visible from planes flying in and out of the hub.

The giant art features a giant profile of O'Rourke's face with the caption "Beto 2020" in block letters under the image. O'Rourke announced his presidential bid last week, and on Monday revealed his nascent campaign raised $6.1 million in its first 24 hours. O'Rourke made waves last fall when he narrowly beat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, coming within striking distance of upsetting the incumbent by a mere three percentage points in a state that is decidedly conservative.

The artist last week telegraphed his plans to create the work on his Facebook page. The finished piece was completed on Sunday. In his sneak peek last week, Herd is seen sitting atop the art, near O'Rourke's giant right eyebrow.

O'Rourke's facsimile is presidential to be sure, a pose that reminds of the image of Abraham Lincoln fond on the U.S. penny. Regardless of one's political leanings, the scope of the work is impressive. But one observer observed the likeness is more reminiscent of Napoleon Dynamite rather than O'Rourke, calling for art to imitate life with a Pedro/Napoleon ticket in 2020 instead.

It's not the first time critics have aimed their opinions at O'Rourke. The candidate has a tendency to use his hands to gesticulate while speaking as evidenced in his announcement video:

Late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon noticed this penchant for hand gestures, spoofing O'Rourke's video:

Everyone's a critic.

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