Mural Monday — Mural 22
- Ana Gabriela
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
River Pig, Portland, Oregon
This project was a big milestone for me. Portland is a huge arts hub, full of murals, creativity, and incredible artists, and it has always been a place I wanted (and still want) my work to live. So when the owner of River Pig reached out to me on Instagram asking if I’d come refresh their outdoor patio, I was all in.
We started by exploring a few larger, more elaborate concepts, but ultimately, the budget wasn’t the right fit for something grandiose. Instead, we pivoted to a sleek, brand-focused look that still carried impact: a fully painted black patio with their signage in beautiful metallic copper. Clean, bold, modern — and perfect for the space.
What made this project especially memorable was when it took place: peak summer. Every single day was 90+ degrees. And since black paint absorbs heat, painting the entire patio black meant one thing — I had to start very early. I’m talking 5:00–6:00 AM every morning to get the paint rolled on and drying long before the midday sun hit. If black paint is still curing when temperatures spike, it can bubble and ruin the finish… and we were not letting that happen.
I’m not naturally a morning person, so these early starts were not exactly my favorite but thankfully, there was a fantastic coffee shop right next door that became my daily lifesaver.
When the project was finished, I stepped back and felt so proud. This was my third-ever sign painting and my second mural in Oregon, and it represented so much growth. Even with the heat, the early mornings, and the challenges of working outdoors in peak summer, the final result was worth every minute.
River Pig’s refreshed patio felt strong, intentional, and beautifully branded, and it was an honor to leave my mark right in the heart of downtown Portland.
What It Taught Me
This mural taught me a lot about something I hadn’t fully considered before: weather isn’t just a backdrop to a project, it’s an active part of it. Painting outdoors in peak summer pushed me to understand how temperature affects everything: the paint, the wall, the timeline, and even my own body.
I learned that heat can make black paint bubble in peak heat, and that sometimes the only way to avoid that is to become a temporary morning person and start painting at sunrise. I learned how physically demanding it is to work in extreme temperatures, and how important it is to take care of myself: staying hydrated, seeking shade when possible, and recognizing that my health is just as important as the final mural.
This project taught me to think beyond “rain or shine” and to consider all the elements: heat, humidity, surface temperature, and how they affect both the paint and the painter. It was a lesson I’ve carried into every outdoor mural since.
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