AUSITN, Texas – The famous motto of late World War II veteran and Austin native Richard Overton will always live on in Austin memory, but now those words are being used to inspire hope across the country thanks to the work of an Austin artist.

Local artist putting Overton’s words on national billboard campaign

Billboards being used as messages of hope during pandemic

Raw talent and a little inspiration can go a long way and no one can testify better to that than artist Jonathan "Chaka" Mahone.

“I have been mesmerized by art and inspired by art ever since I was a kid,” said Mahone.

Now in a time of increasing hardship and uncertainty for many, Mahone is using his art to uplift.

“My whole thing is about giving flowers to the living, you know, flowers to those who passed as well like they are still here. They are still a part of the story and they only die when we forget them,” said Mahone.

“Keep living, don’t die,” that was the motto Overton reiterated to anyone who asked him how he managed to live such a long life. Overton died at the age of 112 in 2018.

“When I created the ‘keep living, don’t die’ design it was for the birthday of Richard Overton," said Mahone.

As the world grapples with the coronavirus, the simple yet profound message will appear on billboards across the country.

Mahone’s design will be put on a billboard as part of billboard company Outfront’s 2020 “Outframe” initative.

The purpose of the contest is for artists to uplift people during these trying times— Mahone felt no person could do that better than Overton.

“’Keep living, don’t die,’ specifically means to me just that you’re alive, keep going— don’t die before you die,” said Mahone.

Having the design featured on a billboard is not only a big deal for Mahone but for the Overton family as well.

“We were just thrilled that, you know, that Richard’s— his legacy goes on and on,” said Volma Overton Jr.

“His words, and his energy and his life is still providing inspiration and that’s the beauty of life and that’s the beauty of art itself,” said Mahone.

The billboard is up in over a dozen places throughout the country. Houston will be the only Texas city the billboard will be located. The billboard will be taken down at the end of May.

Other cities include: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver, Berkeley, Sacramento, Detroit, Louisville, Miami, New Orleans, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City.

“I know that somebody is going to be carrying all that weight and they are just going to look up and see that and they are going to be inspired. And it’s just going to help them keep moving and find a different alternative or solution,” said Mahone.