Mural Monday — Murals 23 & 24
- Ana Gabriela
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Bright Indirect Light, Vancouver, Washington
Plant Shop Mural • Window Sign Painting • Vancouver WA Mural Artist
My 23rd and 24th murals were created for one of the most creative, vibrant local businesses I’ve ever worked with: Bright Indirect Light, a retro-inspired plant shop in Vancouver, Washington. This project unfolded in two phases: first, temporary window sign painting for their summer pop-up location, and later, a full mural inside their permanent storefront.
Mural 23 — Temporary Window Painting for the Summer Shop
When Bright Indirect Light reached out, they were in a temporary space while finalizing the paperwork for their permanent shop. Because the first location was short-term, they didn’t want to invest in traditional signage, but they still wanted something beautiful, branded, and eye-catching.
So they asked if I could create window painting of their logo. Something polished and professional, but also removable when it came time to move. I was instantly excited. Another sign-painting project? Yes, please!
Window painting is such a fun and underrated art form, especially for retail spaces, and this project helped the shop stand out all summer long while still allowing for an easy transition into their new home.
Mural 24 — A Retro/Modern Plant Mural for Their New Store
Once their permanent location was secured, the owners and I began dreaming up something bigger: a full mural for the back wall of their new shop. Their brand is a perfect blend of retro style, mid-century modern flair, and playful plant-lover energy. So that’s exactly what we designed.
They wanted a mural that screamed “plants” without using traditional plant colors, something that would stand out boldly against the real plants in the space. We landed on a vibrant monochromatic blue design — graphic, fun, retro-inspired, and totally unique to their aesthetic. It became the perfect backdrop for customers, workshops, and lush greenery.
What made this project even more special was the owners themselves. They are incredibly kind, wildly creative, and so passionate about their business. Working with them never felt like “work”; it felt like co-creating something magical with people who genuinely love art and design.
By the time winter arrived and it was finally painting day, I was so excited to bring our months of planning to life. Watching their space transform, knowing how much intention went into every detail, made this mural one of my favorites of the year.
Why This Project Stands Out
These two murals — one temporary, one permanent — showcased everything I love about working with small businesses:
creative collaboration
thoughtful branding
unique mural design
community-centered spaces coming alive through art
Bright Indirect Light has become an important part of Vancouver’s growing creative ecosystem, and I’m grateful I got to help shape their visual identity during such an exciting chapter.
What It Taught Me
This project taught me two important things about myself and my work. First, and this one made me laugh a little — I learned that I really don’t enjoy window painting, and that’s absolutely okay. Not every medium or technique has to become part of my long-term workflow, and this experience helped me understand what truly feels aligned with my skill set and what doesn’t. It’s a good reminder that trying new things is valuable, even if the lesson is simply discovering your preferences.
More importantly, this project reaffirmed how much I love working with small businesses. There is something truly special about collaborating with people who care deeply about their space, their brand, and their community. Bright Indirect Light wasn’t just another client; they became friends, creative partners, and people I genuinely admire.
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