Mural Monday — Mural 6-8
- Ana Gabriela
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Happiness Is Only a Cupcake Away
My sixth, seventh, and eighth murals were created for the same wonderful business: Sinful Confections, a vegan and gluten-free bakery in Tualatin, Oregon. I first met the owners at a night market where I used to have a booth, and I instantly fell in love with their cookies. At the time, I was vegan, and they were the only cookies that didn’t taste dry or crumble the moment you looked at them.
During one of our conversations, they shared that they were opening a brick-and-mortar bakery and wanted the space to feel fun, lighthearted, and playful. I suggested adding a mural — something bright and full of personality — and they were immediately excited about the idea.
We worked closely together on the design, going through a handful of revisions until we landed on the perfect concept: a cheerful cupcake character surrounded by colorful sprinkles with the phrase, “Happiness is only a cupcake away.” Painting it was such a joy. It was uplifting, energetic, and the exact vibe you’d want to see when stepping inside a bakery dedicated to joy, sweetness, and inclusive treats.
After that first mural, they brought me back to paint additional pieces throughout the shop — my 7th and 8th murals. These new murals tied the entire space together and created the cohesive, welcoming atmosphere the bakery had been missing. What started as simple white walls became bold, expressive, and full of identity. The artwork helped transform the shop into a place that instantly feels warm, inviting, and full of personality.
This project was meaningful for me in so many ways. Not only did I get to collaborate with a small business I genuinely love, but this was also my first mural project outside of Washington. Crossing the river for work felt like a milestone, a moment where I could see my art beginning to reach new places and new communities.
I’m grateful I got to help bring Sinful Confections’ vision to life. Projects like this remind me why I love mural work: the power art has to shape a space, support small businesses, and create environments where people feel connected the moment they walk in.
What It Taught Me
This project was the first time a client brought me across state lines for my art, and that experience showed me that my work could travel farther than I ever imagined, that my community wasn’t limited to where I lived, but could expand wherever my murals landed.
It also taught me the value of building long-term relationships with clients. Sinful Confections didn’t just hire me once — they invited me back again and again. Their trust allowed me to stretch creatively, experiment with playful designs, and help shape an entire environment rather than just one wall. That kind of collaboration deepened my confidence as an artist.