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Art and specifically painting has been a big part of my life from a very young age. In fact my first mural was done at my house at the age of 6 in our game room. (I don’t think my parents saw it that way at the time but laugh about it now.)
Fast forward 13 years later, I am in college for an art degree and I found a summer job faux finishing (this is a decorative painting technique that replicates the appearance of things such as marble, wood or stone) with an incredible artist in Houston. I enjoyed it so much that it changed my focus on creating fine art to learning more about murals and all the possible techniques!
I learned how to paint on all types of surfaces including: brick, concrete, wood floors, domed ceilings, metal tanks, and furniture. I realized with the right process, paint and sealant I could paint almost anything!
ART AFFECTS PEOPLE
Now, I have been painting murals for almost 20 years and I am still blown away by the meaningful and inspiring interactions I get to be a part of through my art:
• a nursery where a baby falls asleep in a comfortable calming room with a soothing color palette
• a doctor’s office where the artwork helps distract and comfort an anxious patient
• on the side of the building to brighten a city, send a positive message, or bring a community together.
I was lucky enough to see this firsthand in our beautiful city of Dripping Springs during the unveiling of the stars. So many community members of all ages came out to see the artwork and hear the stories behind them. I could feel the bond and unity as we walked Mercer Street that day. The pop of color the stars bring to our downtown demands attention, slows people down, brings them in, and begs for more.
THE POWER TO
BOOST BUSINESS
The visual wow factor that a mural brings to a city or business is a chance for a first and lasting impression. It offers the unique ability to stand out and get noticed. Which is why murals have the power to boost business!
Just the other day the DSAL mural club painted a vibrant mural at Jennifer Terry’s Fun Farm Day Drippin’ Air BnB and she’s thrilled: “Our custom mural has brought the Instagram “wow” factor people seek when traveling, and our business has increased substantially since we updated the listing with photos of the tank. We have been blown away with the support of our guests as a result of our Day Drippin’ mural.”
WHAT IS MY
MOST UNIQUE
MURAL TO DATE?
One of my most unique mural requests was to create the illusion of a hole in a client’s wall with a snake coming out and crawling along their wood floor. The reasoning behind this was that my client’s house had a step down that was very hard to see. She wanted something fun painted on the floor to grab people’s attention to keep them from tripping! I am happy to report there have been no falls since the snake has been created.
DO I PAINT
COMMERCIAL AND/OR
RESIDENTIAL?
I also do both commercial and residential jobs. Lately, I have had the pleasure to paint space themed playrooms, sunset accent walls, a jungle nursery, faux tile, and oversized plants/ flowers all in my own neighborhood!
WHAT IS MY FAVORITE
MURAL I HAVE DONE?
I truly don’t have one favorite mural but my favorite mural experience is within pediatric care. I have been lucky enough to work in many pediatric dentist and doctor’s offices all over Texas where the artwork ranges from realistic animals to bright colored abstracts. The goal is always the same though, take away those sterile white walls and ease the patients’ worry. I have seen it firsthand with my own children the difference of walking into a building with and without art. The excitement over colors, questions about what animals do we see painted, to counting how many ladybugs are hidden within the wall, are all welcome conversations when waiting for a shot.
All of these interactions, big or small, remind me of the reason I got into art so many years ago - to create something meaningful that someone connects with. I feel grateful everyday!
