Mural Monday — Murals 17–19
- Ana Gabriela
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
A Whimsical Home Transformation in Ridgefield, Washington
Murals 17 through 19 came from one of the most creative, joyful, and memorable residential projects I’ve ever had the honor of painting. It all began when I received a DM from a Ridgefield resident who had just seen The Heart of Vancouver and was completely in love with it. She reached out, saying she wanted to talk about a mural for her home, and from the very first meeting, I knew this project was going to be something truly special.
We met up shortly after, and she shared how she had found me on Instagram and had no idea we lived in the same town, but was overjoyed when she found out we did. Hearing her excitement about my work and her vision for her home was such a surreal and heartwarming moment. Then she told me her concept… and I was instantly hooked.
Mural #17 — The Guest Bathroom Garden
Her dream was to transform her guest bathroom into a full wrap-around garden mural. One that made you feel like you were the size of an ant, wandering through towering flowers and lush greenery. It wasn’t just a mural; it was an immersive world.
We spent time designing the space, exploring colors, shapes, and scale until it felt like a living, breathing garden. Months later, I stepped into that little bathroom with my brushes and began bringing it to life. Watching the walls bloom inch by inch was magical. It became a tiny storybook world tucked inside her home.
Mural #18 — A Pantry With Personality (and a Cheetah!)
As I painted the bathroom, inspiration kept flowing — and so did my clients ideas. She asked if I could paint another space next: her pantry. But not just any pantry mural… she wanted something bold, fun, and a bit wild to match the bathroom.
So we created a companion piece to the bathroom garden but with a twist. We brought in a beautifully rendered cheetah, blending whimsy with elegance and giving the pantry its own sense of playful character.
Mural #19 — Stars on the Spa Room Ceiling
And before we even finished that mural, she had one more idea. Soft, dreamy mid-century modern hand-painted stars on the ceiling of her spa room. It was delicate, peaceful, and added the perfect finishing touch to a home already full of color, life, and imagination.
Working with her was a dream. She was fun, eclectic, and fearless with color — the kind of client every artist hopes for. Each mural flowed into the next until her home became a true extension of who she is: bright, expressive, welcoming, and full of wonder.
When you walk through her space now, it’s impossible not to smile. Every room tells a story, and every wall feels alive. Being part of that transformation: from a DM to three full murals! It was an experience I’ll always hold close to my heart.
What It Taught Me
This project taught me just how special residential clients truly are. When someone invites you into their home, they’re placing an enormous amount of trust in you, trust that you’ll honor their space, understand their vision, and create something that will live with them for years to come. Collaborating so closely with her reminded me that murals aren’t just decorative; they become part of the rhythm of a home, woven into daily life, memories, and the stories that unfold within those walls.
I also learned the power of true collaboration. This wasn’t a one-off mural; it was an evolving creative partnership, built room by room. Listening deeply, adapting ideas, and watching her imagination feed into mine showed me how magical the process can become when both artist and homeowner are fully invested in the vision.
On the technical side… this project taught me a few very practical lessons. Like the fact that matte sealers are queen — truly unmatched. No one can convince me otherwise now. And I learned the hard way that ceiling murals are back-breaking endeavors if you paint them standing up. In a later project, I finally discovered that lying down on scaffolding is the only sane way to paint a ceiling, and my spine will forever thank me.
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