10 Ways Public Art Can Bring Us Closer Together

I always say that everyone should spend at least ONE day outside in the public world as a muralist. This is because of the fact that you are thrown into a space where you can’t escape from. You must stay in this contained area and get the job done. People will come and go around you and that’s life. Whether you decide to interact with the bystanders and curious folk is your decision. But to that I say: Embrace the interactions and take the chance to cultivate human connection. This is something so essential to our beings that we often forget about it.

Photo by Shane Parent, during my community mural project at the Bentway, October 2021

1. ART REMINDS US THAT WE ARE ALL HUMAN

   We often get lost in the day to day and forget about our humanity. We try to fix all these problems in our lives and in others and forget about what makes people human. Before we are artists or pastors or waitresses, we are first and foremost human. “People are not projects we have to fix, they are human. So focus on their humanity, not on their problems.” This train of thought was inspired by the words of a kind and wise human I met in the summer of 2021 while painting a Bell Box. I ended up chatting with this pastor in the Etobicoke-Lakeshore neighbourhood, while I was technically painting on the church’s property, and we ended up connecting about art on a deeper level. Sometimes it's those random moments of human connection that make public art so special. Art can be a way to foster those human connections we forget about.

2. HUMAN CONNECTION

   This may sound cheesy, but it’s true. Being in the public world, outside, instead of being a screen, you meet people IN PERSON. People you would never usually come across (see point above) and there is something magical and wonderful about those spontaneous and chance encounters. Someone from another world you can learn from or connect with or just say hello to.

3. THE ART OF LISTENING

   Listening to people’s stories is a really refreshing and humbling experience, something people don’t get in other fields. During and after the pandemic, I noticed the extreme loneliness of people in Toronto. The fact that people were so open to talking to strangers meant that they were either super friendly or really lonely, maybe both. Regardless I ended up chatting with different people that seemed to need some human interaction. Being that person in their day gave me such a priceless and heartwarming feeling that can’t be easily expressed. It just goes to show how you’ll never know the true impact you can make in someone’s life. So you should always strive to be kind.

4. A LESSON IN PATIENCE

   Being out in the public tests your patience. It can be loud, noisy, smelly, amongst other things. And challenging yourself to be patient and get the job done will help you grow in the long run.

5. GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

   With public art projects, you are often thrown into different neighbourhoods and areas you may not be familiar with. That is part of the fun and messiness of the job. Exploring these spaces allows you to embrace the unknown and unexpected. You might find new inspiration where you least expected it. You might make new friends. Regardless if you have enough time, you will gain a fresh perspective. Be open to the universe and what it will show you.

6. BUILD SOME BACKBONE

   You never know how someone will respond to your art. Not everyone will like it and that’s okay. You will have to learn to be less sensitive. This young kid would give me feedback during the process of one of my first utility boxes, when it didn’t look very good at the beginning. Instead of dwelling on it, I laughed it off because the art process is often ugly and he was just being blunt, as kids are. Thank goodness he told me it was looking better after a few days. Phhewf.

7. BECOME MORE HUMBLE & PRACTICE GRATITUDE

   Unfortunately you will see all kinds of people in difficult situations, living on the street or in dysfunctional relationships. It’s not your fault, you are just a witness to what’s happening around your job site. Realize that you are being paid to do a job you love. This is a truly humbling experience when people around you may have so little.

8. INCREASE YOUR AWARENESS

   When people ask me if I listen to music while I’m painting, I usually say no. When I’m outside in public, I don’t feel comfortable shutting out the present world with music. I like to be aware of my surroundings and the people that will unavoidably approach me. This a safety concern for people, especially women, working in my field. This is also a good skill to develop in general when living in a big city or travelling to new places.

9. INSPIRE OTHERS & SPARK CURIOSITY

   Creating art in the public world has shown me time and time again that this can inspire people to follow their passions, live their dreams, do what makes their soul shine. I’ve heard little kids say “I want to be an artist when I grow up” or older adults tell me about how they used to love to paint back in the day. This brief experience can encourage people to get in touch with their creative selves once again.

10. A REMINDER TO ENJOY THE PRESENT

    In today’s modern world, we often forget to enjoy the present moment. So I encourage you to PAUSE every now and again. Find delight in what surrounds you on a daily basis. Maybe it’s the gradual growth of a plant in your yard, maybe it’s colour of a mural in your neighbourhood, maybe it’s the feel of a hot beverage warming your body. Bask in the beauty presented before you.

Photo by Shane Parent, during my community mural project at the Bentway, October 2021

Every year as the weather gets warmer, and spring turns into summer, I am now embracing the season in a whole new way – with the excitement of mural season. Especially after the long winter months in Toronto, I can truly appreciate the opportunity to practice my art outside. This comes with all the distractions, loud noises and strange smells, unpredictable weather, but mostly the kind and curious community members. Creating my art in the open air for the public to enjoy has truly been a heartwarming experience.

10 Tips for Emerging Mural Artists

1. Keep going, keep creating

I get it, it’s overwhelming and challenging to apply for mural jobs. Don’t be discouraged my friends, I have also been rejected many times over the past few years. I know that it’s a hard reality to accept, however in the mural world, you can’t take these NOs too seriously. Sometimes it's just hit or miss, depending solely on the jury at the time. It's nothing personal. And you have to just keep going, keep creating. The world needs your art.

2. SHOWCASE YOUR BEST ART SKILLS

For the smaller mural projects, like the Outside the Box Murals Project by StART Toronto, no public art experience is necessary. They will ask for previous work so just make sure you have some of your best artwork to show. Keep an eye out for calls that use the word “emerging” so you know they mean artists that are new to the public art world. Don’t waste your time applying for BIG mural jobs. Naturally you need the experience to be considered here. See point 10 to build your mural experience.

“Historical Homes” My FIRST utility box and piece of public art! Painted in July 2019 with StART. Learn more about this project here.

3. THINK ABOUT YOUR COLOUR PALETTE

I’ve noticed that public murals are often vibrant, positive and full of life. Think about the colour palettes you gravitate towards and then think about them in a different context. Outside, in the city, with houses and buildings and traffic lights and people and the TTC etc. What would stand out in and amongst our concrete jungle? What would you want to see as an inspiring pop of art?

“Tower of Glass” My utility box mural from 2020. I feel like the Toronto themed design really helped my application stand out and eventually be selected. Learn more here.

4. THINK LIKE A DESIGNER

Don’t just slap some of your art together, think about the space as a unique canvas. Murals are different than paintings and can have multiple sides and angles. I’ve noticed that designs that fill up the space of a wall or box etc. are considered to be more successful in order to avoid future vandalism. Someone might not want to tag a piece of art, but if there’s a lot of open areas they might take advantage of this. Sometimes a maximalist art style works better in the public world.

5. Don’t get lost on the details

People will be looking at your public art piece for a brief moment in time and so you don’t need to make every line perfect, let alone spend a million hours painting. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way. See utility box mural above.

6. Think about scale

Similar to the point above. However this is more in relation to your design and the fact that your elements should be scaled up appropriately because of the world it will be living in. You want to make an impact from a distance and up close so think about your design from those two different viewpoints. I know that can be confusing, see point 7.

“Dancing in the Moonlight” My most recent utility box from the summer of 2022.

7. Mural research & the public

Check out some of the public murals in your city, small and large scale. It’s important to see them in person for the full context. Which ones appeal to you? Think about what the public enjoys about these pieces. Usually safe, family friendly designs are popular. Check out the designs that have been selected from different mural calls. A lot of arts organizations post about their completed projects so you can see them online. Now think about your own work and/or proposals and how you can learn from this insight.

8. COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION

Ask experienced artists questions. Reach out and you’ll find that most of the time they are more than willing to help the next generation of artists. Like myself, they probably also received help when they were first starting out. I strongly believe that we all will get farther if we help each other out. Community over competition, always.

9. DEEPER THINKING

Go into a dark room, close the door, close your eyes and just think. Think hard about yourself and your art and your unique style. What can you bring to the world? How can your art stand out? What ideas, themes, concepts inspire you? Get deep. This kind of big picture thinking will help fuel your fire and create the art you were meant to create.

“Monet meets Mucha” My FIRST real mural on my own porch for fun. In August 2016, I convinced my landlord to paint this house divider for free. But I wouldn’t paint murals for real until late 2018. Learn more about this project here.

10. GET YOURSELF A WALL!

In order to make your application stronger, I would suggest painting a mural somewhere, anywhere to show you can paint at a larger scale. Convince a neighbour to paint their garage, talk to your landlord about an interior wall (murals can always be painted over), buy and paint a large wooden panel, talk to your local coffee shop whatever. If you have absolutely zero experience, consider doing it for free (within reason) or barter. This will help your negotiation.

Good luck!

You got this.

In case you’re looking for more information and specifics, check out this blog article: How to get started in public art and paint your first mural in Toronto.

12 Lessons for a freelance artist ft. money talk

1. Know your worth.

2. Pay it forward.

3. Don’t compare yourself.

4. Put yourself out there.

5. Learn to say NO.

6. Figure out what kind of work you want to be doing.

7. Listen.

8. Be patient with yourself, things take time.

9. Don’t take a job if it’s not a good fit.

10. Factor in your skillset. Your experience and skills are valuable.

11. Always get a deposit and contract before doing ANY work.

12. Let the client suggest a budget first. Whoever says a number first has the advantage.

learnings from a workshop

Talking about money can be super awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s essential to navigate as a freelancer. After attending a talk about demystifying pricing for murals, I felt quite empowered and wrote the summarized lessons above to remember for the future.

I’m truly grateful the mural community is so welcoming and open to sharing their knowledge, I can only hope to pay it forward (lesson 2) by writing this blog and connecting with other artists.

“This was a panel co-hosted by OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (@ocaducead) and Mural Routes (@muralroutes) that helps emerging artists understand and develop their own strategies around setting a fair price for mural artwork.

Moderated by Marta Keller-Hernandez, Managing Director at Mural Routes, and featuring artists Bareket Kezwer (@bkez), Curtia Wright (@curtia), and Omar Hopkinson aka OMS (@omscreates), panelists shared individual approaches and experiences that would be beneficial for emerging artists to hear.” taken from Mural Routes Instagram post

The not so glamourous life of a Muralist

Sometimes I feel like muralists, myself included, end up sharing the visually interesting process shots and therefore the messy reality of being a muralist isn’t always shared. Well I just thought it might be time to share how it really goes down. *Full disclaimer, this is from my personal and humble opinion as an emerging muralist in Toronto.

For the purpose of this less glamourous side, I will be referring to exterior public murals, where you are exposed to the elements, strangers on the street, strange smells, unknown washroom situations, etc. With interior murals, you are very much protected from most of these things, giving you a sheltered, more glamourous and potentially more enjoyable experience (depending on how you look at it).

a few not so glamourous things about being a muralist

1. EXHAUSTION - The exhaustion is real. I'm pretty much wiped after every project. This is partially my fault because I have a lot of bad habits while painting. Once I get in the flow, I don’t want to stop. I end up working too long, I don’t take enough breaks, I forget about food, water, washroom visits etc. All examples of what NOT to do.

2. BODY SORENESS - As a non-athletic person, I feel soreness in muscles I didn’t know existed. Ground murals especially make you extra sore because it’s like doing 1000 squats in a day. Sometimes it takes me a few days to get back to normal again after this kind of a job, hence the importance of self-care, read below.

3. WASHROOM TIME - As a female muralist, washrooms are a huge issue. And don’t even get me started on painting a public mural during the pandemic. I don’t think I need to expand much here, besides saying that I always have hand sanitizer and toilet paper on a mural job just in case, and an acceptance that my washroom “facilities” will be far from glamourous.

4. MOTHER NATURE - You are at the mercy of mother nature while painting outside. The summer sun is relentless. Hot, sweaty, draining. And sun stroke is a real and scary thing. As a pale person, I need to be extra careful about my skin getting burned and this is a challenging task during mural season. I’m still figuring it out, but I’m excited to try out my new UV protected long sleeve shirt this summer. (Although a rainy day means you can’t paint, sometimes that’s a real blessing for many reasons.)

So why do we do it?

1. FOR THE LOVE OF PAINTING - And the hope that we are brightening up the otherwise concrete walls or plain, boring structures of a neighbourhood.

2. CONNECTION - This may sound cheesy, but it’s true. Being in the public world you meet people you would never usually come across and there is something magical and wonderful about that. Listening to people’s stories and connecting with other humans is a really refreshing and humbling experience, something people don’t get in other fields. The power of art does in fact remind us all about our humanity.

3. ARTIST FASHION - I was very happy about not having a dress code with very little worries about what I looked like while painting. Most days, I look like a mess out in the wild, sometimes even dorky if I need to wear a safety vest, pictured above. I’m also a messy painter, to clarify messy on my own body, not on the canvas itself, but I have embraced this reality and feel like it’s part of the mural painting experience that I love. I mean if you come home after a mural job and you don’t have paint anywhere, did you even paint? (Side note: Since I discovered Pandr Design Co. and their super cute jumpsuits, I have invested in some more professional painterly attire)

painting murals is not a leisure activity

It’s serious, hard physical labour, draining and exhausting. Of course, it’s rewarding otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it, however it really makes you appreciate the people that are doing physical labour outside every single day, construction workers, roofers, waste collectors, etc. Now those people are real life superheroes that don’t get enough credit for their demanding jobs, that’s for sure.

the importance of SELF-CARE

My favourite post mural activity is treating myself to a Swedish massage. Because I’m painting more murals these days, I generally only book one after a big project, so once a month has become my sweet spot. Whatever that self-care activity is, do it, and please make sure you schedule in a decent amount of rest for your own recovery. I can’t stress how important this, as without proper rest and recovery you will burn out. So be proactive and go book that massage now. You’re welcome.

12 Tips for growing your mural work & Outreach

1. Do you have a website?

   If not, set one up to look more professional than just an Instagram or Etsy account. There are many website platforms out there, Squarespace is the one I’m currently using and it’s super easy to use, complete with their own templates. If you already have a website, make sure it’s up to date and showcasing your best work. Websites refreshes will also help you feel more confident in your work and proud that you’re growing as a professional artist.

2. Portfolio update

   Keep adding more mural projects to your portfolio, see below.

3. Paint public murals

   Having your art out in public spaces, preferably outside, allows MANY people to see your work more easily, and for free, basically like advertising. This is the best way to get a client because they have already seen your work and style and are interested. No outreach required, which is the goal is my opinion. This has worked for me personally as I’ve gotten several mural jobs from people who have stumbled upon my public murals on the streets of Toronto. I would suggest applying for outdoor mural programs to get started. For example the Bell Box Murals Program (utility boxes for Bell) and the Outside the box program (utility boxes at traffic light intersections) or concrete barrier program (bike lane divisions) with Street ARToronto. As mural applications start coming out in the Spring there will be a lot of artist calls. Read my blog article for more info on where to start.

4. Create mural mockups

   This is a great idea if you’re fairly new to muraling and don’t have much to show. This will help advertise your work and help people visualize that you are a muralist. For you this may be obvious, but people need things to be plain and clear. Designer and Letterer Lauren Hom suggests this to help get mural work and sells a package in order to easily make your own mockups with your artwork.

5. Learn from the ladies at Pandr Design

   This dynamic female muralist duo, Phoebe and Roxy, is inspiring to say the least. They are also super helpful and transparent with all mural things, business tips etc. They are adamant about the importance of outreach and have lots of advice there. On their website, they have a lot of digital resources you can purchase including contract and outreach templates that will elevate your creative business in general and your communications.

6. Find a muralist mentor

   Find and follow other muralists on Instagram. This seems simple, but dig a bit deeper. See what successful artists are doing, and what's working for them. Find specific people whose work you admire, maybe similar in style with your art, preferably more experienced and ask if you can assist them in their mural production. Volunteer if you need to in order to learn from them. I've gotten jobs from other artists (who have now become friends) who I've assisted in the past. They've trusted me enough to recommend me to clients when they are too busy for a job. You can also return the favour if you get to that point in your career. The knowledge and wisdom you learn from finding a mentor in the mural world is invaluable.

7. Connect with your current networks

   Take advantage of the connections you already have. This is especially true with your friends and family. Think about who you already know and the potential of mural jobs. Don't pressure anyone obviously, but think about who works where and what connections could be made naturally and to the benefit of said workplace or person. Get them excited about a mural. If it fails, no sweat, you tried and who knows what will come up in the future.

8. Reminders

   Keep reminding your friends, family and Instagram followers about your mural work and what you're interested in so you’re top of mind when something comes up and a friend of a friend needs a mural. You want people to think of you in the future. It feels salesy and I'm not great at this part either, but it's very important if you want to grow your business. I know I have missed out on jobs because I didn’t advertise myself enough when I was first freelancing, to the point where someone I knew completely forgot about me. (Yes, this is a true story as I reached out to this person after I saw pictures on Instagram and reminded them if they are looking for an artist in the future that I would love to help them out. They admitted they didn’t even think about me and felt bad. Not so subtle of a reminder, but a reminder nonetheless.)

9. Build in-person connections

   Walk into places you are interested in and make that in person connection. I'm not good at this myself, but I strongly believe this is WAY better than cold emails. Being a local artist in the neighbourhood definitely helps sell yourself to shops and restaurants nearby. Make sure you have a business card or postcard with your work to leave behind.

10. Consider exchanges

    I don’t always agree with this, but when you’re starting out they are helpful to build a portfolio. For example, I did a mural at my yoga studio in exchange for a year membership. Of course not everyone will be into this idea, but it’s something to think about to get more work, especially if you’re really interested in a space and there is no budget whatsoever.

11. Artist directories

    Become a member of different arts organizations in order to get on their artist directories so more people can find you. Mural Routes has one, and so does Street ARToronto. You just upload your info, work, biography etc. The more places people can find you, the better.

12. Keep creating and keep sharing online

    Social media works. People do look for artists online. So keep creating your art and sharing your process, final pieces, inspiration, your story, etc. It’s annoying and exhausting and time consuming, I completely understand, but it’s SUPER important. So keep going, you got this. And the results will be worth it.

Good luck with your mural work! Let me know if you have anything to add to the list. AND reach out anytime, I would love to hear about your personal journey and success stories.

My Mural Design & Painting Process ft. A Stained Glass Piece

Depending on the complexity of a mural design, the unique wall texture, surrounding environment, etc. I may approach a mural project differently each time. For my stained glass series, the designs are all super intricate and so they all follow the same approach. See below.

STEP 1 - create a design

I like to use Procreate on my iPad Pro to draw out my mural designs. It's super easy to use, erase, change colours etc. After the design is created, I mock it up in Photoshop so the client can envision the piece in its real environment.

Design made in Procreate on my iPad Pro

Mock up in client’s home using Photoshop

A CITY IN COLOUR

Inspired by "Tower of Glass", a utility box I painted for Street ARToronto last June, this design brings the Toronto waterfront and skyline to life. Can you recognize the buildings? (besides the CN tower)

Step 2 - Math time

This is my least favourite part of painting a mural HOWEVER it is super important. I create a grid and divide up my design, depending on the measurements of the wall itself. (Here there are 1 sq. foot sections)

Step 3 - PREP THE AREA

Prepare the area. Clean the wall, tape the wall's many edges and any extra pieces that you don't want to get paint on, lay down a drop cloth, etc. (I am a messy painter so I like to use extra tape around the space which saves me time in the end)

Step 4 - Design transfer

Using a level, I recreate my grid on the wall, same as my plan now in a large scale. Next, I draw the design using the gridded sections as a guide. I like to use chalk because pencil lines will show through the paint, whereas chalk can be washed off easily.

(Projectors are wonderful for this step, but in this particular case the hallway was only a few feet away from the other side and so the image couldn't be projected large enough)

Mural TIP:

In order to make a perfect circle, use a piece of string and chalk. Tape down one end of the string to the centre of your circle. Attach the opposite end of the string to a piece of chalk, however long you want the radius of the circle to be. And then draw a circle freely, making sure the string is pulled tightly on both ends. MAGIC.

Step 5 - Paint, paint, paint

For this interior mural, I used a mix of interior and exterior acrylic paint, however for the outdoor murals, I would ONLY be using exterior paint.

Note: I would usually paint the wall with a primer first, right after cleaning and before the design transfer, however it wasn’t necessary because the wall wasn't painted too long ago and it was in good shape.

Step 6 - Second coats

And third coats on some more special (annoying) colours.

Note: Not all colours take the same amount of painting coats.

Step 7 - outlining

I used paint markers to speed up the process instead of a paintbrush, however there were some tricky areas to get to, as there always are unplanned special areas with murals. I have learned to always add in extra time for these things that come up unexpectedly.

BEFORE AND AFTER BLACK OUTLINES

Step 8 - the finale

Little paint touch ups, add a signature, double check your final piece with your original design, remove tape, clean up well, take deep breaths, take a million photos…

TA-DAH!!

The mural is complete.

DETAILS

Thank you to Erica and Mrugesh for trusting me with your space and letting me bring this wall to life! It truly is a statement piece right when you walk in the door. And a special thank you to Lola, the dog, for being the cutest little supervisor who was so well behaved, she didn’t even think about messing up my paint station.

5 days of work in 30 seconds

watch this mural come to life

How to get started in public art and Paint your first mural in Toronto

a lucky discovery & beautiful INSPIRaTION

Back in 2018, I stumbled upon a laneway that was completely taken over by bright and bold murals. It was such an exciting discovery that I remember carefully exploring every single unique wall and garage door and fence that were transformed into fabulous art pieces.

Erin McCluskey (left) and Andrea Manica & Caitlin Taguibao (right)

After serendipitously bumping into the project’s Founder Bareket Kezwer, I learned that this magical laneway was part of Women Paint, an initiative in Toronto that supports and builds a community of female identified, non-binary, and gender non-conforming artists. Because of the lack of opportunities for these artists in the public art world, Bareket started organizing this event in 2017 and together with the support of local sponsors, she continues to produce these laneway jams every year. I had missed the call for artists that year, but could apply next year!

Bareket Kezwer & Muisca

Bareket Kezwer

To say I was inspired would be an understatement. I was beyond ecstatic to bring my own voice to the streets of Toronto and share my unique art on a different kind of canvas.

Curtia Wright (left) and Gosia Komorski (right)

After the discovery of this special laneway, just north of Dundas and west of McCaul, I continued to see more and more public murals everywhere I went, as well as blank walls that seemed to be calling to me to paint them (this still happens today). There is so much mural potential in Toronto, it’s overwhelming) But this reality is a great thing for a Muralist because that means there are endless opportunities.

At first, I had no idea where to start. I reached out to Bareket with a list of questions, I started googling public art in Toronto, I started looking at artists’ signatures and following them on Instagram. This experience was exciting for me, but also super time consuming and so I would love to save you some of your precious time and effort by sharing with you what I have learned about getting started in the mural world, specifically in the public and outdoor realm.

Jacquie Comrie (left) The E.W.O.C. Project (right)

Lacey and Layla

arts organizations to follow

• Street ARToronto @start_streetartoronto

  As a part of the city of Toronto’s transportation department, this organization “aims to beautify communities across the city through street art and murals.” This small yet mighty team does a lot to improve our streetscapes by collaborating with artists to paint utility boxes, underpasses, large scale walls, laneway transformations, and unique community art projects in a variety of neighbourhoods.

• Bell Box Murals Project @bellboxmurals

  Michael Cavanaugh, a community arts veteran, runs this program funded by Bell Canada that transforms these brown obtrusive structures into works of art.

• STEPS Public Art @stepspublicart

  A cultural organization that “creates public art plans, installations, and engagement strategies that meet your public art and placemaking needs, transform your space into a cultural destination, foster stronger relationships with your community, showcase the talent of diverse Canadian artists.”

• The Patch Project @patchproject

  A program run by STEPS that “transforms construction sites into curated exhibits in collaboration with Canadian artists.”

• Mural Routes @muralroutes

  A not-for-profit arts service organization that is “dedicated to the creation, promotion, education and advancement of public wall art.”

• Lakeshore Arts @lakeshorearts

  They are all about connecting communities through art. “As a registered charitable not for profit community arts organization, we are dedicated to engaging all peoples using multidisciplinary art forms as a way of enriching lives and strengthening Toronto’s communities.”

• Arts Etobicoke @artsetobicoke

  A not-for-profit charitable organization that offers diverse “programming in a variety of mediums for all ages and levels of interest, from professional to emerging artists, hobbyists to community seekers.” An inclusive and creative community hub, Arts Etobicoke is a place “where everyone can freely express their art and culture through our programs, exhibitions, workshops, events, classes, and professional development.”

• East End Arts @eastendartsto

  Located in the East end of Toronto, this is a local arts service organization with a vision to “unite, inspire & enhance our communities with the transformative power of the arts.”

This garage I painted in Sept. 2019 was part of a laneway jam called KJ BIT, funded by Street ARToronto

These are only a few of the arts organizations I know of, I am finding more and more all the time, but I didn’t want to make this too overwhelming. Once you start following the ones above, especially on social media, sign up for their newsletters, as they share artist calls all the time, especially Mural Routes. There are a lot of opportunities for artists out there, you just need to put in the effort.

ARTist CALLS/LISTINGS

Akimbo Art is Canada's online source for visual art news, reviews, exhibitions, jobs, calls etc. I find a lot of mural jobs on their website and I make sure to check it regularly for all kinds of opportunities.

bonus tip

Be sure to find out about your local BIA here, this is your business improvement area that supports local businesses and improves the development of the neighbourhood. They often put out individual calls for artists which is a great place to get started and connect with community builders near you.

Find out more about this mural here.

my first piece of public art

My first piece of public art was created in the summer of 2019. This was for the Outside the Box program, funded by the city of Toronto and facilitated by Street ARToronto. This is a great place to start if you are new to the public art world as they welcome emerging artists every spring.

Next time you are waiting at at intersection with traffic lights, look around for an ugly grey vertical box about 7’ tall OR if you are lucky, there will be a painted box that is sure to add some colour to the streetscape.

*The call for artists usually goes out in early Spring so make sure you don’t miss it.

A FEW CLOSING WORDS OF ADVICE

Just start. Get out there. Find your courage and forget your doubts. Connect with like-minded artists. Reach out to experienced mural artists. You might be surprised by their willingness to share with you. Ask to be a painting assistant on their next project. Volunteer to help out during a public art or community art project in the city. Discover what’s happening in your own neighbourhood and get involved. If you have any questions let me know, I am also here to help you on your mural making journey.

August 2016 - Painting my FIRST mural ever on my own porch for fun

August 2020 - Getting paid to paint a Bell box outside the Toronto Public Library (Runnymede)

My 9 Favourite Projects of the year 2020

Hand Painted Murals, Decorative Letters & Custom Cards

Instead of the typical “Instagram Top 9” trend that happens at the end of every year, I decided to choose my favourite projects that I did in 2020 and not rely on the most likes I received to influence my choices. Looking back at these projects I accomplished makes me super grateful to have art as an outlet. Because I had extra time on my hands due to the COVID restrictions, I was able to hand paint 12 murals, from utility boxes to garages, to window murals,17 (if you include mini mailbox murals). I was also able to finally participate in 36 Days of Type, an international lettering challenge that forced me to create every single day.

#9 - make your own magic - toronto garage

This magical lettering mural marked my10th mural project ever which was super exciting for me. It's been a whirlwind getting into the world of muraling and just going with the flow. And so all the kind words and support I have received has been so heartwarming and especially helpful during those tough moments of painting when I wasn't feeling motivated or doubting my skills. Thanks so much to everyone following along my creative journey! Check out this project here.

#8 - tower of glass - utility box at King and shaw

Inspired by Toronto's historical homes and their timeless stained glass windows, I painted this vibrant and captivating modern-meets-traditional design in hopes that it will bring joy to whoever passes by! Check it out in person at King and Shaw or here. A special thank you to @start_streetartoronto for bringing public art to our streets of Toronto!

#7 - sweet magnolias - etobicoke shed

Grateful for my lovely parents who are slowly letting me transform their house and property with painted murals!!! They have always been my number 1 fans showing up with support, love, food, and endless cups of tea. No matter what my wild mind comes up with, they are usually on board with it, within reason haha. Check out this mural here.

#6 - butterfly’s paradise - etobicoke garage

A swallowtail butterfly's paradise - a garden of wildflowers was painted for the Neighbourhood Love project in South Etobicoke. This was a community-engaged art project that was initiated as a response to a bullying incident in the neighbourhood, resulting in 25 hand painted murals by 20 local artists. Check out this mural and the full story here.

#5 - 36 days of type - a lettering challenge

I was super excited to participate in @36daysoftype, an international project that challenges artists, designers, and illustrators to create their own interpretation of the letters and numbers of the Latin alphabet. Every single day for 36 days. I really had fun with this challenge, creating a colour palette, themes, alliterations, and exploring different mediums. Check it out here.

#4 - it’s nice to have a friend - digital lettering greeting card

This folk flowered greeting card was inspired by my 100 year old jolly grandma and one of her famous sayings. During the difficult months of 2020, I have come to appreciate my relationships and friendships more and more. Friends who are like family and family who are like friends, either way it is quite nice. I sent out this card as a thoughtful gift to loved ones to say hello. Custom cards are available for sale on my Etsy shop here.

#3 - stairway to ocean - stairway mural

This is my contribution to the world's first stay-at-home environmental mural festival: HOME. Organized by international public art-meets-environmental organizations, the purpose of this project was to unite creatives around the world in order to give our planet an artistic voice. It was super cool to be one of 800 artists who signed up in 60 countries to paint a mural in their home. I choose my stairwell because why not? Together and still apart, we transformed drab white walls at our unique homes into visionary canvases for a brighter future. Check out the project here.

#2 - thailand - a unique journal entry

This piece was inspired by a daydream of warmer days in Thailand where the sun never stopped shining and everything was so green and so so GOLD. (I am referring to the temples of course) This piece pretty much sums up my feelings for this beautiful place I was fortunate enough to travel to in November 2019: so rich in culture, nature, and life. The lettering was inspired by Thai money aka Thai Baht, with the intricate details on their bills seen below.

#1 - julia prajza creates - personal magazine graphic

I have wanted to create a magazine cover-inspired design for awhile now and I thought there was no better time than the present to get playful with this fun portrait. I love the flexibility of wearing different hats everyday and seeing where my creative journey takes me. One day I'm a muralist hand painting a garage and the next day I'm designing the digital artwork for a music composer. Who knows what this cover will look like in 2022?

If you made it all the way to the end, thanks for reading and cheers to a more colourful year in 2021.

36 Days of Type - A Lettering Challenge

an international project

#36DaysOfType is an international project that challenges artists, designers, and illustrators to create their own interpretation of the letters and numbers of the Latin alphabet. Every single day for 36 days. As an admirer of the project for the past few years, I decided to finally participate in the 7th series that started on March 1, 2020. Nina Sans and Rafa Goicoechea, two graphic designers from Barcelona, originally started this initiative in 2014 as a personal project. “They decided to challenge themselves to create something new everyday, as a way to experiment with new things, creating personal daily design challenges around typography and graphic design.”

alliterations, a colour palette and a grid plan

When I commit to a project I am passionate about, it’s usually with a lot of heart, a lot of ideas, and a lot of work. I decided that I wanted my unique lettering series to be inspired by alliterations, this made it easier in order to determine what style the letters would take. For example: Big, Bold & Bohemian B, Dazzling Art Deco D In Digital, Gothic G on Glass, Opulent Ornate O; you can only imagine what comes to mind with these words. I really had fun with this challenge and wanted to try a variety of styles to mix it up and get out of my comfort zone; it worked.

I used a few different mediums, taking advantage of my painted chalkboard at home and some gold paint markers. Because the challenge was based on Instagram, grid planning was also important in order for the letters to be visually cohesive, and so I planned out the tiling and coloured backgrounds. Choosing my favourite colour combination at the time: burnt orange, turquoise, mint, teal, white, black, and gold (not enough gold in my opinion), everything came together nicely. Feel feel to take another look at my ornate letters all together and you might appreciate a few more details now.

digital lettering with the ipad pro

I thought I would be playing with a lot more mediums like I started out with but ended up creating the majority of designs on my iPad Pro. This was a good and a bad thing because I have been wanting to explore more on a program called Procreate, but this also meant the possibilities were endless and I spent a lot of time staring at a screen all day and night. It can be exhausting, but definitely a learning experience and having this community of artists helped me to push my limits and see what I was capable of. Scary, but rewarding.

staying creative during quarantine

This project started and continued throughout a strange time in history: March 2020. I will never forget the time I drew these letters because of Covid-19 and the isolation period during this challenge that continues as I am writing this almost two months later. It was definitely an interesting journey during this bizarre time in the world. At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable drawing a letter almost every day when it didn't seem important; I contemplated stopping for personal reasons, but eventually persevered to complete the challenge even though I was way behind. Oh well, better late than never is one of my key mantras. I am super grateful for being part of an international lettering community that inspired me to create and added some normalcy into my life that was helpful and necessary at the time. And because of this challenge I had some meditative moments and peace of mind as an artist and human.

the final letters and bonus ampersand

I would love to know if you have a favourite letter and/or number or if you really like the ampersand the best? Let me know.

P.S. In case you are curious, some of my favourite letters I drew are D, F, L, M, R.

Stay tuned till 36 Days of Type 2021!

Reflecting on my creative journey: 'Julichka' Hair & Fashion Accessories

I have been reflecting a lot lately about the past year and decade and my creative journey thus far. Throughout the years, I have been named a Graphic Designer, a Maker, an Artisan, a Mural Painter, a Calligrapher, and most importantly an Artist. As I continue to grow and my passions change, I think it's important to look back every now and again and reflect on your journey. For today’s reflection, that means shining a light on Julichka: a Hair and Fashion Accessories company I started back in 2010 and continued until about 2017.

From Headband Girl to Entrepreneur

It all started in the summer of 2009 during a shopping trip to downtown Toronto. Loving the peacock feathered headbands at Urban Outfitters, yet not willing to pay the price, I came to the realization that I could make them myself, and probably better too. And so I did. People started noticing my hair accessories at work and I soon became known as “headband girl”. And just like that I was being commissioned to make unique, feathered headbands for coworkers, friends and acquaintances. I started making all sorts of hair accessories, from headbands to fascinators, using a variety of materials from my mom’s fantastic collection, purchased in bead and fabric stores or found at funky vintage markets.

HEADBANDS BY LA PETITE BLONDE POUFFE

My first local craft show was in June 2010 in Etobicoke where my mom convinced me to showcase my new headband designs. I was curious to see how other people would react and it was a success! Having people get excited about my hair accessories made me excited and I continued creating because of this positive feedback. “Headbands by la Petite Blonde Pouffe” was the name I used at the time for my new venture, which was a high school nickname.

a small side business

This curiosity and craftiness naturally turned into a small side business that developed during my student years at OCAD University and into my early career years. As a Graphic Design student, this crafty interest of mine had been a lovely break from the computer, allowing me to get that tangible experience from creating something with your hands.

a branding project

In 2012, I decided to rename, rebrand and merchandise my hair accessories company for my thesis at OCAD University. This was a huge project that included logo design, packaging design, web design, art direction, fashion styling, a lookbook, etc. Julichka was born as a result of this as a brand that focused on a contemporary reflection on past pageantry. This means taking inspiration from the past to create something fresh, unique, romantic and truly Julichka. The graphic logo represents the beautiful accent that accessories create while complementing an individual, a perfect message from an accessories company.

Julichka is pronounced juu-litch-ka

I decided to name my hair accessories company JULICHKA (pronounced juu-litch-ka) because of a connection I wanted to make to my own unique heritage. This nickname, a mix of Czech/Slovak and English, is what my lovely grandmother still calls me to this day, meaning little Julia.

Craft show artisan

Since that first show in 2010, I participated in more than 20 craft shows in and around Toronto selling my one of a kind Julichka creations. At some point I put my products online and sold internationally through Etsy. I will always remember the excitement of getting an order from someone in England, British Columbia or the United States!

A rising star at the One of a Kind show 2015

A dream come true for Julichka was definitely being part of the One of a Kind Show in 2015 as a Rising Star. Showcasing my creations at this well known Canadian arts & crafts show with so many talented artisans was a such a wonderful and rewarding experience that I will never forget.

A special thanks to my wonderful models over the years. These lovely women and friends made the Julichka brand come to life so beautifully and for that I will be forever grateful! Jessica, Francesca, Joanna, Natalie, Alessia, Taylor, Julia, Michelle.

press play to see the evolution of Julichka

From feathered headbands and fascinators, to flower crowns and chokers, to headchains and bodychains. 

What ever happened to Julichka?

I always get caught off guard when people ask me this question. At first I didn’t have a proper answer. It took me awhile to reflect on this. I guess I was just ready to move on to other creative passions and decided not to pursue Julichka any further. There came a point where I needed to make a big decision: to either create a bigger business or let it go. And so I let it go in order to follow other curiosities. Personally, I see Julichka as a passion project that developed naturally from a simple curiosity and a little help from my friends and family. Okay a lot of help and support from my friends and family. This was a big chapter in my life that was such an important part of my creative journey. I grew so much as a person during this time and it helped me become who I am today. I wouldn’t change anything. Part of me will always wonder where I would be right now if I had continued the Julichka brand. But another part of me is okay not knowing and pursuing other interests.

TODAY

I am constantly evolving as a Multidisciplinary Artist and Designer, following my curiosities and pursuing whatever sparks my interest. If you are following my creative journey in 2020, you know that today that means Hand Lettering, Calligraphy and Murals. Who knows what I'll be interested in next year or in five years and that's what's super exciting! Thanks to all of those people who have been following along during the Julichka years way back when, now and in between. I truly appreciate it.

2019 - A Year of Creative Firsts

WOW 2019! A lot happened and a lot changed this year for me. But it was definitely a magical year of creative FIRSTS.✨ My first paid public street art gig: my first utility box in Toronto, my first garage mural which happened to be my first time spray painting. My first collaborative mural with none other than my mom. My first lettering and design show. My first calligraphy class that I loved so much it lead me to designing my first wedding invitation suite, complete with custom calligraphy created digitally and by hand for the envelopes. My first wedding seating chart on a mirror. My first event calligraphy commission. My first chalkboard lettering piece. And last but not least, a break from my creative activities but definitely a source of great inspiration: my first trip to South East Asia!

It's been such a journey this year and DECADE and my heart is oh so warm and so so grateful for all of these experiences and unconditional support. ❤️ Looking forward to some seconds and thirds in 2020.

Cheers to all you creative and non creative folk!

Why do you make art?

Now that's a BIG question. Someone asked me that the other day and I was totally caught off guard. I probably gave some lame awkward answer that didn't give my art any justice so I am here to try again.

For me, creating art is just part of who I am and who I have always been. I definitely see being an artist as part of my identity from a young age, but I never felt fully confident calling myself that until more recently. In 2019, artist is a powerful word I am glad to associate myself with.

Creating something from scratch really gets me excited. New art projects call to me, it's my little escape from the outside world where I can just be with my art in the moment and get in the flow. As cheesy as it sounds, it really is and always was my happy place. I'm sure other creatives feel the same.

Growing up with an artistic mom who originally studied fashion design, but was an all round creative person, I was inspired from a very young age to create. Arts and crafts were my favourite. Funnily enough I was painting murals in my sister's bedroom and my own before I even knew they were called murals. And my parents let me do this without hesitation. Wild. I was extremely lucky to grow up in a family that supported my passion for visual arts. I am now fully aware how rare and fortunate that is and I am forever grateful. Side note: my mom continues to be my art and design consultant whose opinion is invaluable to my work.

Going forward I am open to where my artistic curiosities take me. Currently I am all over the place, doing custom calligraphy, exploring chalkboard lettering, doing wedding mirrors, painting murals, creating hand lettering pieces, designing music album covers, logos etcetera etcetera. But I love this versatility as each day is different. I used to only make art for myself and art projects for school. But recently I am getting into the world of public art and creating art for the benefit of other people which is so rewarding and special. The thought that leaving my mark either on the city's walls or in people's memories warms my heart.

Side note: make friends with people who ask deep questions like my super talented and new friend Anya Mielniczek

Clark Stanley Mural Interview

“When you walk into Clark Stanley’s creative space, the first thing you notice is an intricately-designed giant mural. It’s nothing short of impressive - hand-drawn Victorian-style lettering and a rattlesnake that spans from one end of the wall to the other  - as it becomes an immediate topic of discussion when guests come in. 

The talent behind it? Clark Stanley’s Art Director Julia Prajza. An OCAD alumna, Julia has always been open to exploring new art forms. As an Art Director, she takes these newfound skills and applies them at work - be it internal or external. Now we dive into Julia’s creative world and look at what it takes to design a 16’ by 7’ mural.” - Denisse Corloncito, Communications Coordinator at Rolling Pictures

What gave you the idea to create the mural?

It all started in the summer of 2017, when we were told that Clark Stanley was relocating to a more central location in downtown Toronto. Because the new office had large white walls and open spaces, my coworker, Abhishek, and I agreed it was perfect for a custom-made mural. Our bosses were also excited about this opportunity so all we had to do was decide on the creative.

What inspired you? 

I worked around our tagline “The most amazing creative ever brought before the eyes of civilized man” and our visual brand aesthetic that comes from the real world that Clark Stanley lived in during the Victorian era. I drew inspiration from its beautiful ornamentation, the western/cowboy times, odd curiosities, vintage circus shows, bold and playful lettered advertisements, intricate and textured woodblock illustrations, and last but not least: the snake imagery (Clark Stanley was known as “The Rattlesnake King” because of his snake oil empire). I wanted the mural to tell the Clark Stanley story in a visually interesting and appealing way that captured this fascinating and unique world. 

Have you always had an interest with lettering? Is this something that you've done in the past or is this something you recently picked up? 

To be honest, I didn’t even know this world existed, or the extent of it, until 2017, and now I am obsessed! I think that is what makes the creative field so special – you can go in so many different directions and make up your own style on the way. The lettering community on Instagram has been extremely inspiring and helpful for me as a new letterer. I also try to keep busy with weekly lettering challenges and personal passion projects in my spare time to constantly improve my skills. 

How was this project different from previous Clark Stanley projects? 

Because this was an internal project, it was not a high priority. I could only work on the mural in between client work, so this actually took a lot longer than a regular project (If I added up all the hours spread out over months, it would be approximately 80 hours). Having full creative freedom is also something that was unique to this project. Everything was open to my interpretation and this was both intimidating and liberating, especially when your boss is the most blunt person around. I knew he would tell me if he hated it, which was a potential reality. Glad that didn’t happen.

Walk us through your creative process.

I measured the wall first so I could properly plan out a design to fit. And then I started drawing a bunch of rough sketches, playing with interesting compositions and experimenting with where the letters would live in the allocated space. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to have the snake highlighted and have its body intertwine through the letters and flow through the composition smoothly so that was helpful in guiding the placement of words.

BEFORE: Final hand drawing before the digital process began.

AFTER: Final digital and vectorized design ready for print.

Once I was happy with some layouts, I made larger and more detailed drawings, incorporating Western design elements, decorative flourishes and Victorian-inspired ornamentation to fill in the white spaces. I then started the digital process after my boss gave me the green light. I edited the drawing first in Photoshop and then brought it into Illustrator where I digitally traced every single little detail using the pen tool in order to create a vector file. This means that every single pixel was created from nothing, I plotted every point, adjusted the curves of every shape, and tweaked every point. This was definitely the most time consuming part of the process. The beauty and downfall of vectorizing something is that you can perfect every little thing till you are blue in the face. 

Once the design was approved, I worked with a printing house nearby (ARC Solutions) to go over various test prints and verify that the artwork’s many details were an exact match to my master file (funny things can happen with different software and printing machines, etc.). They eventually printed off the mural on vinyl in four separate panels, and patiently applied it to the wall like a big sticker or wallpaper.

What were your biggest challenges? 

The most challenging part was not knowing how large everything would be when printed to scale. Normally you would just print out your design on standard size paper, but when you are working on something that is approximately 15.5 feet wide and 6 feet tall, this isn’t an option. That would be about 150 sheets of standard 8.5” x 11” paper, not to mention the time it would take to assemble this and put it in place. I did print off certain sections to see how certain elements were working together and went from there to make adjustments. Unfortunately, I never did see the whole piece at scale before we ordered it, which definitely made me nervous. The printing house did make a 20% print version for us to approve before it was applied to the wall, so that was a bit reassuring. 

Can we expect more murals in the future? 

Absolutely! I actually just finished painting my first public art piece which was a four-sided utility box. (You know those ugly grey vertical boxes located at every traffic light?) Check it out here. The mural and public art world is really new and exciting for me so the plan is to continue applying for creative opportunities in my spare time and working on my long lost painting skills once again.

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Stay tuned for more exciting projects at @clarkstanley and follow us to get updates on our latest projects and a behind-the-scenes look at our creative process. Follow @juliaprajza on Instagram for more of her art and design projects.