So you live near Los Angeles, CA and are thinking about getting a custom hand-painted wall mural.
What would you like to know about commissioning a muralist?
Here are popular mural painting questions and answers.
When should I make an appointment?
We will have a very productive mural consultation if you already know what you want or have selected a basic theme (like a jungle, ocean, sports, floral, etc.), or you have picked out accessories (like bedding, curtains, and furniture).
- Our best brainstorming will happen if you have a basic direction you would like the room to develop. Sometimes cards, stickers, magazines or fabrics you love will help inspire a theme. Swatches of wallpaper have been the inspiration for some amazing color combinations, as well as a great way to communicate style preferences. If something strikes your eye snap a picture on your smartphone. (If something strikes you as particularly ugly, snap a picture of that, too! Anything that helps communicate your sense of style and favorite colors to me is good! I really care about you getting the result you desire.)
How far will you travel to paint, or meet for a mural appointment?
I am based in the center of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. I will travel to and paint in any location that is to our mutual benefit.
- If you live far… Technology is a wonderful thing! We can discuss your ideas, via email and over the phone to get in sync on all details until we both feel confident proceeding. Then go for it!
- As long as it is a win/win I will travel to another state. (I have family in Henderson, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and could be enticed to paint in these locations.)
AVAILABILITY
How far in advance do I need to book you?
Sometimes I am booked solid, and someone postpones, creating an opening in my schedule.
Sometimes I am available immediately. Just CALL and I’ll look at my calendar. 818-994-1441
PREP WORK
What wall preparations should be made before you come to paint the mural?
- In most rooms I don’t paint every square inch of wall so the base wall color will show through and should be in good condition so as not to detract from the finished mural.
- If I am doing a full room mural I can quote a price for painting the base color along with the detailed mural and offer a second quote if you want to paint the base color yourself.
What type of wall paint should be used for the base wall color?
Select a water-base paint in an Eggshell, Satin, or low luster sheen.
- Although my paints are compatible with a water-based in a flat or high gloss – the shine of a high gloss paint presents a more garish look and adds an extra step to the mural painting. And flat paint is more prone to fingerprints, smudges, and scuffs, detracting sooner from the overall painted experience.
- Do NOT use one of those new paints with the anti-stick ingredients because nothing will stick to your walls. (Decals won’t stick and they are unable to have murals painted on them!)
Do you do the prep work? Do you roller paint?
I can do minor patching of nail holes and usually only roller paint when painting a full room mural. Just ask when you have me on site and we’ll decide what is best.
PAINTS USED
What type of paint do you use? Does it smell?
I mostly use artist’s acrylics from Nova Color which are water-based, non-toxic, dry immediately and have virtually no odor. By the time I clean up my equipment, the paint is dry. (When a special color or color palette is requested I use paint from a paint store. Usually Dunn Edwards.) Just let me know if you need more info.
Will I be able to wash the wall? Do you put a topcoat on the mural when it’s finished?
I usually don’t put any type of coating over the painting. The acrylic paint is water resistant and permanent when dry. It can be gently washed. (I haven’t had a single client call me with any problem associated with washing a painted wall.)
If we need to paint over the mural in the future, how is this done?
The painted surface may need to be lightly block sanded if there are slight variations in the thickness of paint. The colorful surface needs to be primed with a good quality primer. Then painting your walls should proceed as normal.
MY SPECIALTY
What style or type of painting do you do? Do you paint wall treatments?
I am a decorative artist. I paint murals on walls, canvas art and furniture.
- I specialize in murals for Nurseries, Children’s Rooms and Preschools, as well as painting murals in other areas of homes. And I’m excellent at painting Business Logos.
- I paint beautifully blended skies on ceilings, customize fabulous brush-blended Faux wall treatments, as well as hand-paint furniture, and can create unique custom borders. See more Examples of My Work
- I’ll paint anything as long as I know I will do an excellent job and you will get the result you desire. (If I am not the best artist for your project, I will certainly let you know.)
Will you paint a mural on Canvas?
- If you prefer your mural painted on a large canvas, you can purchase the stretched canvas and I”ll schedule painting days just like I do, when I paint murals on walls.
- Learn more about how to commission custom canvas wall art.
ESTIMATES / GENERAL PRICING
How long does your average job take?
Most jobs take 2 days or more…In a traditional home with 8 foot high ceilings:
- Simple decorative touches sprinkled around a room or a custom border? (2 or 3 days)
- A mural painted on every inch of a single wall? (2 or 5 days depending on style and details requested)
- Clouds on ceiling (1 – 3 days depending on type of clouds and blending required to achieve the look you desired)
- The whole enchilada – A Full Room Mural – every inch of wall and ceiling. (closer to a week)
How do I get an estimate? What do you charge?
Every job is unique and customized to each client’s taste, vision, painting style desired, room size, wall surface, location, and budget.
The more I know what you are imagining and the size of your space, the more accurate price I can give. Call me and tell me what you are dreaming up. A quick phone chat will answer most mural questions and help us both know what is needed next.
We can schedule an on-location meeting…and/or I can give a general estimate over the phone.
- Some clients know exactly what they want and we brainstorm together the best layout for their room with every desire they can imagine.
- and…If budget is super – important to you, just let me know so we brainstorm together with your budget in mind, and come up with a win-win.
What if I want a really small mural?
If a job is extremely small, please CALL. (Every mural is unique and I do consider the scope of work in my pricing.)
CONTACT THE MURAL ARTIST
How do I contact you?
You can Email Me Here or call 818-994-1441
- Technology is great but sometimes it is nice to hear a human voice! Please call if you have questions. Phone: 818-994-1441 (Pacific Standard Time – Muralist based in the Los Angeles area of Southern California)
Find out more About the Artist
