Mural Monday - Portside Pottery
Some mural projects come from years of planning.
Others come together in a matter of days.
My mural for Portside Pottery was definitely the second kind.
As Portside Pottery was getting closer to opening its doors in Vancouver, owner Eric reached out to me with a pretty clear vision. While there were still a hundred things left to do before opening day, there was one thing he knew he wanted from the beginning.
A mural.
More specifically, he wanted a mural that captured some of the same energy and spirit as the Evergreen Community Gardens mural I had painted for the City of Vancouver.
As soon as he told me that, I was excited.
The Evergreen mural has become one of the projects I am most proud of, so hearing that another local business connected with that work enough to want something inspired by it was incredibly meaningful.
Bringing Nature to a Creative Space
From the moment I visited the space, the vision made sense.
Portside Pottery was being built as more than just a pottery studio. It was being designed as a creative gathering space where people could learn, experiment, connect, and make art together.
The mural needed to reflect that same sense of creativity, growth, and community.
We met, discussed ideas, and quickly put together a plan.
And when I say quickly, I mean quickly.
I designed the mural in just a few days, sent it over, got approval, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the wall with paintbrushes in hand.
The Reality of Painting Outdoors in March
The project began in March of 2025.
Which, looking back, was a terrible month to choose for an outdoor mural in the Pacific Northwest.
Absolutely terrible.
It rained constantly.
Every day seemed to bring more rain, colder temperatures, and longer drying times.
Paint that normally dries quickly suddenly felt like it took forever.
Layers that should have been simple became exercises in patience.
My hands were cold.
My feet were cold.
Everything was cold.
There were definitely moments where I questioned my life choices while standing outside waiting for paint to dry in another round of rain.
But despite the weather, I was genuinely happy to be there.
Why the Project Was Worth It
The thing that made this project so enjoyable was the people.
Eric and the Portside team were incredibly kind throughout the entire process. They were excited about the mural, excited about their new business, and excited about becoming part of Vancouver's creative community.
That energy is contagious.
When you're working with people who genuinely care about what they're building, it makes even the toughest conditions easier to handle.
And as someone who believes deeply in supporting local businesses and creative spaces, getting to contribute to a place dedicated to making art felt incredibly rewarding.
Finishing Just in Time
After a week or two of battling weather, squeezing in paint sessions between rainstorms, and doing everything possible to keep the project moving forward, the mural was finally complete.
And shortly after, Portside Pottery officially opened.
Watching the space come to life was incredibly exciting.
What started as an empty building transformed into a vibrant community hub filled with artists, students, hobbyists, and people simply looking for a creative outlet.
Today, Portside Pottery has become exactly what its founders hoped it would be: a gathering place for creativity.
And getting to play a small role in that story is something I am incredibly grateful for.
What This Project Taught Me
This mural taught me one lesson above all else:
I do not want to paint outdoor murals in March ever again.
At least not if I can avoid it.
The Pacific Northwest is beautiful, but spring weather can be brutal for muralists. Rain affects scheduling, drying times, comfort, and overall productivity in ways that are difficult to appreciate until you're standing outside living through it.
Beyond the weather, though, this project reminded me how important creative spaces are to a community.
Places like Portside Pottery give people permission to make things, try new skills, meet new people, and express themselves creatively.
Those spaces matter.
And it reminded me once again that some of the best clients are simply good people with a good vision.
When you combine kindness, creativity, and community, great things tend to happen.
Final Thoughts
Portside Pottery may have challenged me with cold temperatures, rain, and slow-drying paint, but I would still say yes to the project all over again.
It was:
A celebration of creativity
A continuation of the Evergreen Community Gardens legacy
A partnership with an incredible local business
A reminder that community spaces matter
And every time I see people gathering there, making pottery, taking classes, and creating art together, I am reminded that the best murals are often the ones that become part of something bigger than themselves.
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