I will be the first person to encourage you to paint murals. In fact, I have mentored tens, possibly hundreds of creatives on how to paint murals. There are a number of reasons why it is the right move for you as a small business creative. The money, the tangible outcome, the grand scale. As great as this may sound, it can be a really tough profession. So, is adding 'muralist' to your list of services for you?
Pros:
Your a Magician: Murals serve as a powerful medium for artists to showcase their talent on a large scale. They offer a platform to express creativity freely and create impactful visual experiences. Communities love watching artists (or magicians) work. It can inspire others, encourage creativity and possibly find yourself your next project.
Profit: We are running businesses here and at the end of the day we need to be creating work that brings in a profit. Murals is where the money is at, particularily if you are working with bigger corporations and entities.
Community Engagement: Murals have the ability to engage the local community and spark conversations. They can transform a public space into a work of art, drawing people together and fostering a sense of connection. You can act as a vessel to help communities tell their story and build ownership and pride in their spaces.
Diversification of Offerings: Adding murals to your list of creative services diversifies your portfolio, attracting new clients and expanding your reach in the art and business world. With murals becoming more and more popular in recent time, now is the right time to learn the ropes.
Cons:
Time-Consuming: Creating murals, especially large-scale ones, can be a time-consuming process. From conceptualisation to execution, it requires a significant time investment, which may impact other projects or deadlines. Time on-site painting can vary drastically particulary with unpredictable weather conditions impacting painting time.
Longevity: Outdoor murals are subject to weather conditions, which can affect the longevity and quality of the artwork. Factors like rain, sunlight, and pollution can deteriorate the mural over time. Other factors such as vandalism and re-painting can mean that your artwork, that you put weeks of your time into could disappear without notice.
Logistical Challenges: Transporting materials, accessing heights for large-scale murals, and navigating legal permissions can pose logistical challenges that need to be carefully addressed. From what tickets do you need, where to hire scissor lifts, how to get road closures and safety work method statements. There is a lot that goes on before a lick of paint hits the wall.
Pressure: A lot of creatives underestimate the pressure and problem solving abilities associated with murals. To paint large scale and have hundreds of people watching the process is daunting. Generally a lot of money has gone into this project and the outcome sits on your shoulders.
Physical: The number one comment I get from new assistants helping me on a mural is 'I didn't expect it to be so physically demanding'. Up and down ladders. In and out of scissor lifts. Lifting and moving big pots of paint and water. Sitting, standing, squating, moving, concentrating. Your body will feel it.
In conclusion, the decision to add murals to your creative services comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. It's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully, considering factors like time commitment, logistical requirements, and target audience appeal. By embracing murals as a creative service, you open doors to new opportunities for artistic expression and business growth.
So, if you're an artist or a creative looking to expand your horizons but not too sure where to start, the Creative Business Development Program is the perfect place. With over 100 videos, including the Business of Murals program with everything from pricing, to logistics, safety, materials and getting your design on to the wall. The fortnightly coaching sessions will help with encouragement or any questions you may have. Head over to the Creative Business Group Coaching page for more information.
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