Life is Too Short for White Walls
Mural Services Now at YFK
If you’ve been around Your Friendly Kreative for a bit, you might have noticed something new has been happening with the business – I’m painting more murals! Technically, mural painting has always been a service I’ve offered, but it’s not one I’ve ever specifically listed. It is something that makes me really happy and was always something I wished I could do more professionally. Until now, I chose to see it realistically and figured I’d get to do every once in a while, and told myself I should just be super grateful for those opportunities (like all the murals I’ve done at DancExplosion Arts Center over the years).
But that all changed over the 2021 Christmas holiday. My husband officially got the clear to work remotely for the long term, and he suggested that he take my current office at the time, and I take the spare bedroom. As my business was officially 7 months in and going well, I jumped on this idea and decided I wanted to create an entirely branded Your Friendly Kreative space. And I felt the biggest thing that was going to transform it was how I painted the walls. That project changed everything for me, and not just because I ended up with a “pretty office”. I find the sketching and painting process to be so therapeutic. And yes, the result is something nice to look at, but more importantly creates a feeling. Every time I walk into my office, I’m happy. Even if the day hasn’t been my favorite, walking into a space of color, creativity, and inspiration starts to turn that around.
Why Murals? Why Now?
I am so incredibly lucky in the fact I have such supportive parents. My mom specifically is my cheerleader in the arts. Anything creative I wanted to try, she let me. When I started having more autonomy over my likes and dislikes, my room became where I could express my creativity the most. We painted my room bright teal once and adhered oversized flower windmills to some of the walls as a life-size floral accent. Once, we painted it baby blue and pink stripes the entire way around. Around the age of 12 or 13, I enacted my first “mural” when my mom allowed me to paint Curious George and a banana tree on my wall. In high school, I painted the largest wall of my room with chalk paint and a permanent calendar to keep myself organized (have you figured out I’m a little type-A yet lol?). I would then create a large chalk art piece based on the season or whatever was inspiring me. (Second shout out to Miss A at the studio, as DEAC has been the commercial space I’ve gotten to transform the most!)
Needless to say, I’ve been turning spaces into places that foster more happiness for years now. And as a human coping with what the last few years have been like, I need more happy and inspiring spaces. You know the quote, “when you look good, you feel good” – well, I’m taking that pressure off our bodies and putting focus on the space you’re in. When you’re in a space that makes you feel happy, inspired, and motivated, you will feel those ways. There’s a reason those home editing/organization homes/accounts are so popular – I just want to take the color blocking from the shelves and put it on the walls! To answer the second question of “why now”, it’s because I’m already years late. This is something I’ve been wanting to do but have always been too scared to pursue. I can’t begin to articulate how much joy these first few murals I’ve gotten to paint have brought me. I want to keep doing this and, more importantly, keep getting better at this.
Mural Magic Making
A “fun design” is nice and all, but my process goes far beyond that. Everything I create for other people; I want to make sure it comes from an authentic piece of the client. Before any project I engage with starts, we have an in-depth and collaborative brainstorming session that explores the client's aspects and visions. In the mural process, it’s then my job to take these ideas and puzzle piece them together in a few different concepts. I’ll present these 2 to 3 different designs, and the client and I will continue to refine from there until they’re happy with the design. I don’t just want to take something you saw on Pinterest and want to copy verbatim. First and foremost, because that’s cheating someone else out of something they created, and two, it’s not any fun.
From there, I come to location with all the tools and materials needed to execute the piece. The physical labor timeline depends on the size of the wall and the level of detail the project requires. A standard wall typically takes about a day to prep and lay down base coats, with a second day for second coats and final detailing.
How Does Pricing Work?
As each mural is completely custom, no two cost the same - which I know isn’t helpful for those with a budget in mind. The final cost will be determined by wall square footage, design time, and materials. Residential projects start at $500; commercial projects start at $1000. For those interested but not sure about committing, I’ll be more than happy to come up with an estimate after an initial conversation about what you’re exactly looking for.
Mural Painting Process Example: The Maverick Co-Working Space
Life is Too Short for White Walls
To requote the title of this blog, life is too short for white walls. I know Joanna Gaines and the Magee people on Netflix and countless other designers have been telling us all for years that neutrals are everything. My Instagram feed was filled with, yes, peaceful and aesthetic, but the SAME type of house post after post (it’s now filled with the most colorful, patterned homes – seriously, unfollow things and people that drain your energy). I personally want to see more and more homeowners and businesses break this aesthetic – or rather better, evolve said aesthetic to find balance with color and neutrals. Don’t you want to feel happy and inspired by your space? Let’s create the nursery, home office, office lobby, team room, basement, insert your space here, of your dreams! Let’s get some color back in your life!
Of course, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an inquiry with any questions or concerns!
Until next time friends – live in color!
