Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Murals.
Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a resident of Huntington beach. I am a surfer and muralist. I have painted large public murals all over Orange County. Being a surfer and an ocean swimmer influences my art. I have painted large public art murals all over Huntington Beach. Including Electrical boxes in front of the Huntington Beach Civic Center, Pacific City, HB Propane, BRIX in sunset beach, Surf City Liquor, Historical Huntington Beach APA theater at HBHS, Edison High School, FVHS, Sea Salt, Pacific City electrical boxes,(Main and PCH, Adams and Main), Please check out my website www.MelissaMurals.com. I received an award for 2021 Best of Surf City Award by Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce. Painting in large open spaces is my passion and I love to work big. I am always thinking about public engagement when working and creating a mural design. It is fun when the public takes photos of my art and posts it on their social media.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It took me 20 years to get to be a professional artist and make a living off my art. I have had many jobs before I could do well as an artist. I was a Huntington Beach Marine Safety lifeguard for 10 years and taught the Jr. Lifeguards as an instructor for 6 years. I work on a 911 ambulance in LA and in a pediatric ER, as an Emergency Medical Technician and Orthopedic Technician. I worked for the Orange County Probation department under the Chief of Probation as a multi-media specialist. Although I have worked many jobs, I never gave up my real passion. I painted murals on the weekends or at night after my real job. The reason I am able to be successful now as an artist is because I got a business manager to help me with pricing and scheduling. He comes to all my site visits and is the reason I can paint full-time now. He is a great mentor too, his name is Don Willis.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I paint large buildings. The bigger the better! I hope to paint larger every time. It has been a wild ride!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am lucky to be able to live my passion, but it was hard work to get here. It is really important to give my clients a positive fun experience working with them. I try my hardest to do exactly what they want and more. The client will have a creative vision for their business. I talk to them and turn their idea into reality. Any additions or changes I embrace it to make exactly what they want. I also do very high-quality work. I have learned over the years exactly how to prime the wall repair the wall and cover it with the beast sealant. I use the best products and it shows in my work. I have wored so hard to know what products to use.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MelissaMurals.com
- Instagram: @MelissaMurals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaAmandaMurphy/
- Twitter: @MelissaMurals
Image Credits
credit: Don Willis
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