Mural Monday - Paradise Market La Center, WA
- Ana Gabriela
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Sometimes mural projects come from proposals. Sometimes they come from referrals.
And sometimes they come from something as simple as a conversation during a walking tour.
That is exactly how this mural began.
The Mural Tour
I first connected with the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington through the Vancouver Downtown Association. They were hosting a group from the foundation and asked if I would help lead a mural tour through downtown Vancouver alongside their director, Michael Walker.
Of course I said yes.
We spent the a part of the day walking through downtown, visiting murals, talking about the mural process, and answering questions about how public art projects come together. I also got to talk about several of my own murals in the area and share what it takes to bring a large scale wall to life.
It was such a fun experience.
Public art tours are always special because they allow people to see murals in a different way. Instead of just passing by them, they get to hear the stories behind the walls and understand how much planning, community input, and creative work goes into each one.
But the best part of that day was getting to meet the team from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. Everyone was incredibly kind, curious, and supportive of the arts.
A week later they even invited Michael and me to a thank you lunch.
That kind gesture meant a lot.
And that lunch ended up leading to something much bigger.
The Connection
During that lunch, I talked to Chrissy from the foundation. She was incredibly warm and thoughtful, and we stayed connected afterward.
Not long after that, she reached out to me about a mural opportunity.
She had connected me with a project happening in La Center, Washington.
They were renovating an old gas station and transforming it into a beautiful new market space. The building had already undergone a major transformation and the owners wanted to add a mural that would elevate the experience even further.
Not just for the business itself, but for the people who stopped there.
The Vision
When I went out to visit the site, I immediately understood the vision.
The market was stunning. It was clear that the owners had poured a lot of care into the renovation, and they wanted a mural that would match the energy of the space.
Their idea was simple but exciting.
They wanted the mural to feel like La Center itself.
They asked for a fictional landscape that included local landmarks and elements of the town. Something that would celebrate the area and make people feel connected to the place they were visiting.
That type of storytelling mural is exactly the kind of work I love doing.
So once the contract was signed and the deposit was paid, I got to work designing.
A Rare Moment of Trust
One of the most unique parts of this project was how much trust the client placed in me.
Usually clients want to see full color renderings before approving a mural design. But in this case they were so excited about the concept that they approved the project based solely on the black and white sketch.
They trusted the process.
And that kind of trust is something every artist dreams of.
Painting the Wall
A few months later it was time to paint.
From the very beginning this project felt different from many others I had worked on.
Everything flowed.
There were no major challenges, no unexpected paint problems, no stressful moments trying to troubleshoot something that went wrong.
It was simply… peaceful.
Each day I would arrive around 9 in the morning and paint until about 5 or 6 in the evening. I worked steadily, focusing on keeping the quality high while moving efficiently through the design.
The mural was detailed, which meant it still took a few weeks to complete, but the rhythm of the project felt calm and enjoyable.
And the client made the experience even better.
They were incredibly thoughtful throughout the process. They would check in to see if I needed anything, offering coffee and making sure I was comfortable while I worked.
That kind of care makes a huge difference when you're spending long days on a wall.
Finishing the Project
When the mural was finally complete, I felt something I don’t always expect at the end of a project.
I was a little sad to leave.
The environment had been so positive and the experience so smooth that it almost felt strange to pack up my supplies and move on.
Even now, whenever I’m driving north toward Seattle or heading toward Canada, I sometimes stop in La Center just to see the mural again.
It was a special project, and returning to the space always reminds me of that experience.
What This Mural Taught Me
This mural reminded me that not every project has to be a battle.
Some murals come with paint problems, weather delays, equipment issues, or logistical challenges.
But sometimes everything simply works.
Those peaceful projects are rare, and when they happen, they deserve to be appreciated.
This mural also reminded me how valuable connections can be. What started as a simple mural tour through downtown Vancouver eventually turned into a beautiful project in another city.
You never know where a conversation or a shared lunch might lead.
And finally, this project taught me something very practical.
Working on a job site that has air conditioning and bathrooms is a luxury that should be cherished at all costs.
After painting enough outdoor walls, you learn very quickly to appreciate the small comforts.
And this project had plenty of them.
Supply List
For more supplies go to my amazon storefront
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