Mural Monday — Mural 20
- Ana Gabriela
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Ronald Records, My First Sign Painting Job
By the time I reached my 20th mural, I had been painting murals for over a year and was still in awe of the projects coming my way and the clients trusting me with their spaces. Every wall felt like its own milestone, but this next one holds a special place in my heart because it marked a new chapter in my career: my first-ever sign painting job.
And even better! It was for one of my absolute favorite local businesses.
Ronald Records is an incredible little record shop that brings pure joy to anyone who walks through its doors. The energy is warm, nostalgic, and full of music-loving magic. I lived only a few blocks away at the time, so I found myself stopping in often. I loved flipping through records there, chatting with the owner, and soaking in the atmosphere. It was one of those spaces that instantly felt like home.
So when they reached out and asked if I would paint a sign for them, I was over the moon. Since the shop is tucked away in a basement, they wanted a sign to help people find the entrance more easily. Something eye-catching, fun, and totally them.
We designed a simple, charming directional sign that felt true to their brand and would help guide customers down to the shop. Painting it was such a joy. There was something incredibly meaningful about creating artwork for a place I personally loved and supported before becoming their muralist.
This small project became the foundation of a wonderful ongoing relationship. Ronald Records has since become an amazing recurring client, and I’m so grateful for every opportunity to collaborate with them. This sign might have been small, but it was a big moment for me, a reminder that the businesses I admire most are often the ones cheering the loudest for my growth.
What It Taught Me
This project taught me something that goes against a lot of traditional business advice: that business can be personal, beautifully, meaningfully personal. People often say not to become friends with your clients, to keep emotions and relationships neatly separated. But my experience with Ronald Records showed me the opposite.
Working with them reminded me that some clients aren’t just clients; they become part of your creative journey, your community, and sometimes even your life. The owners of Ronald Records are incredible people with big dreams, a love for music, and a passion for supporting artists; values I deeply connect with. Getting to know them has been one of the greatest gifts of my career.
Not every client will turn into a lifelong connection, and that’s okay. But some will, and those relationships make the work richer, more joyful, and more human. This small sign painting job became the beginning of a long-lasting collaboration built on mutual respect, shared passion, and genuine friendship.
It taught me that when you lead with kindness, authenticity, and openness, the right clients will meet you there. And together, you’ll create much more than art on a wall.
Supply List
For more supplies go to my amazon storefront
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