Social Media Updates - Morgan Mural Studios

morgan.mural.studios

Hand-painted, site-specific, “One of a Kind-ness” murals for homes and businesses.

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon is one of my

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon is one of my favorite books and today I did just that. Inspired by recent floral posts by @kada_creative and @elanevansdecorativepaint I added these rununculas in my bathroom. Thank you Elan and Kada for setting the bar so high, for inspiring me to creating a bit of art in my home with my Saturday afternoon.
#morganmuralstudios
#bayareamuralist
#weekendart
#flowermural

I started crying as soon as I pulled in the parkin

I started crying as soon as I pulled in the parking lot. Cried in line, with my nurse while getting my second vaccine, while Waiting in the sun for 15 minutes. Relief. Joy. Gratitude for the scientists, to be an American with a government that can roll out the vaccines so quickly, for a renewed sense of safety in the world, both with covid and the hope of a safer world for everyone, with Derek Chauvin conviction. An emotional day for me.

I am working my way super slowly through Caste. It is so heartbreaking to see clearly the systemic racism I have been complacent too my whole life. It is sickening. I am super hopeful we can do better, but getting uncomfortable with status quo is step one.

Meet Anh, one of my favorite people ever and neigh

Meet Anh, one of my favorite people ever and neighbor. I have been doing trades with Anh for years, it used to be haircuts, now it is bread. During covid she cobbled together an outdoor kitchen in her backyard, and taught bread making to neighbors. The big white fridge was an eyesore so I painted these apricot blossoms across the front. Anh is so full of joy and life, and generosity. I hope everyone has an Anh in their life!
#besttradeever
#ilovemyneighbors

I first fell in love with beard Papa cream puffs p

I first fell in love with beard Papa cream puffs painting this mural in 2016, which is outside of the locksmith, next door to beard papa in San Mateo. Whenever I am in the area I stop by for cream puffs and say hi to the artwork. My murals are like old friends to me. The visual triggers a cascade of memories: people I met while painting, what I ate, the weather, I can remember how I felt when I was painting the mural. I make an effort to make sure every client is cared for, that the process is as beautiful as the artwork, including taking good care of myself (on this project, that included daily cream puff consumption) and also the people I meet along my day. looking back is a joy practice for me.

Listening to Shanti Guitar by Steven McNamara, war

Listening to Shanti Guitar by Steven McNamara, warm, fed, safe, engaged in my favorite activity, and I can still feel the edges of worry, or stress in my being. In my experience, there is no perfect job, exercise routine, meditation practice, diet, amount of money, that will rescue us from the monkey mind, the ego, whatever from doing its job of wanting to fix, or fear uncertainty. The only sane solution: Just make room for it, feeling it fully, letting the full human experience be okay, embracing the tender, scared aspects of ourselves, normalizing them, even...(someday) loving them is the only way to peace. And it is transient. Some days it’s there, full embrace of life, maybe for a few hours, and poof, back to letting my worries take up more real estate than my full experience of the abundance of the present moment. Many circles around the sun is teaching me: This dance doesn’t end. I am (trying?) to Release the grip of thinking it will, and just enjoy the crazy ride.
That’s my experience. What’s yours?

#morganmuralstudios

I learned so much from Carlos in this episode. I h

I learned so much from Carlos in this episode. I hope you enjoy it!
#muralpodcast
#morganmuralstudios
@carlosrmk

Episode 18 Is live! Check it out wherever you like

Episode 18 Is live! Check it out wherever you like to listen. Let me know: Agree? Disagree?

Bit.ly/3qcol6M

#bayareamurals
#morganmuralstudios
@publicartpa

Fresh episodes of my podcast coming down the pipel

Fresh episodes of my podcast coming down the pipeline. I kick off season two diving into why school murals are an oft overlooked opportunity and how to get more school mural projects going.
bit.ly/3sI9CSv

#ifthesewallscouldtalk
#bayareamuralist
#muralpodcast
#schoolmurals

This photo makes me so happy! My bestie finally g

This photo makes me so happy! My bestie finally got a “room of her own”, even if it is technically the attic. I broke all the standard painting rules for this small space: painted the white trim the wall color as well as the ceiling because there were so many lines and angles in the small space. This wall is what is behind her head when she takes zoom calls, so the white door cut her background in geometric halves. It is a dark room, and the dark, low border helps the rest of the space feel lighter, and also a crisp tuxedo style “pop” against the feminine, dynamic peony. You don’t need a big fancy space to make it beautiful

#morganmuralstudios #bayareamuralist #peony

This is the book that changed my life 20 years ago

This is the book that changed my life 20 years ago, from overworked, disconnected desk job to creating art for a living. I am working through this book again, diligently, with a cadre of 5 brave friends. I’m now starting week five, a month in. This book is an amazing catalyst to bring your life in alignment with your creative desires. 25 years old, out of date and timeless/ powerful as ever. If you are feeling stymied or unfocused, work through this course. I am deeply, knees on the ground grateful to Julia Cameron for her gift of this book to the world. I am also super grateful to Liz Gilbert, the amazing guest that she was on the Tim Ferris podcast that inspired me to start the course again. I have shared that podcast at least a dozen times. Maybe my favorite podcast and episode of the year. (I listen to a lot of podcasts.) All gratitude.🙏🙏🙏

@liz_gilbert @timferriss #theartistsway #grateful

My new book is for sale on Amazon! This book is a

My new book is for sale on Amazon! This book is a labor of love, I hope that it helps artists find a sustainable path for making money with their creativity. Buy it, share it, review it. Lets make the world a more beautiful place, one wall at a time, together.

#themuralartistshandbook
#bayareamuralist
#morganmuralstudios

Working on a mural celebrating the farm workers in

Working on a mural celebrating the farm workers in Napa, CA. This one is at 807 Soscol Ave, near Third street, a scene of the early morning harvest. Thank you to Ricardo Varelas for being my model and building owner Michael Holcomb for giving this gift to the community, and bringing awareness to the farm workers that do not share the bounty of a booming wine industry with the growers.
#morganmurals
#bayareamurals #napawine

I am so sorry California and my friends in the win

I am so sorry California and my friends in the wine country are facing another devastating fire. I am so sorry for our country that our current president won’t agree to honor our most American ritual of free and fair election or denounce white supremacy groups. I am so sorry about how so many people, especially families with children are limping along with online school. In the midst of it all, I paint. I’ve painted a few murals and I’m not posting them because it seems so insufficient to meet the moment. But I loved painting for Ari, the coolest first grader ever. I let him paint a few butterflies, and when he wanted to paint more I said, I’m sorry, I’m just super protective that all the work comes out the way I want it, and I know it’s silly but i just want to paint the rest of the butterflies myself. “ This seven year old says to me, “I understand. That’s just you being you.” Yes, Ari, and God bless you. In the midst of so much turmoil, I hang on the the only thing I have power over: the paintbrush in my hand. Residential murals have been a godsend this year, as businesses and cities struggle. I am so grateful for the work!

#morganmuralstudios
#bayareamuralist
#junglemural

Another happy day painting. Today, finished up bou

Another happy day painting. Today, finished up bougainvillea for Beverly. We had so much fun together. You can see the mural through the French doors.

#morganmuralstudios
#bayareamuralist

My neighbor Beverly commissioned this mural. The c

My neighbor Beverly commissioned this mural. The calf was her first bovine purchase, has been the stud of the herd she owns in Texas. !
#morganmuralstudios
#bayareamuralist

This is what noon in front of the school office lo

This is what noon in front of the school office looks like on sept 9 2020. A different year might have seen it bustling with children and staff, a sunny September day, certainly no work lights needed. It’s disorienting, but I am orienting internally, where balance and regeneration originate. Showing up to do work I feel is important in this world- regardless of inevitable mental and physical obstacles is core to my creative work. There have been harder days, there will be harder days, and I will be sharing my light and talent in the world regardless, ever opportunity I am given. I find comfort in that certainty.

Apparently, the air quality is better today, despite the ash reigning down. I hope you are hanging in there today, and finding the beauty you won’t give up on.

I just finished a long overdue website update. Thi

I just finished a long overdue website update. This great project from The Glenn community pool in Scripps Ranch is my new showcase mural. Check it out: www.morganmurals.com

#morganmuralstudios
#handpaintedmurals
#bayareamuralist

My son took the first step of moving out, covid st

My son took the first step of moving out, covid style: he moved into my studio. I detailed out his room and painted an agate wall inspired by @caroline_lizarraga. Making his room beautiful helped make the bittersweet transition easier.
#morganmuralstudios

When work is the best escape from the news. Submer

When work is the best escape from the news. Submerged, listening to music, sending love to the coral reefs, sending blessings to the new baby coming to live in this underwater room. Feeling blessed to have work these days.

A beautiful day in SF painted @minted store on Fil

A beautiful day in SF painted @minted store on Fillmore St.
#morganmuralstudios #quarantineart

I painted a happy color wheel for the kindergarten

I painted a happy color wheel for the kindergarten play yard up the street. Hopefully there will be children back to enjoy it soon enough.

We are one family, learning and growing together. Truth for all ages.
#morganmuralstudios #pangeaseed #quarantineart

Our Shelter in Place family portrait by the Talent

Our Shelter in Place family portrait by the Talented @miss_magic_lantern. My daughter copped the perfect teenage smolder, which at this point is uncomfortably familiar.

#losaltosphotographer #sipfamily

Praying for the human family today. Cooperation, k

Praying for the human family today. Cooperation, kindness, and leadership have never been more vital.

Painted this utility box for city of Redwood City

Painted this utility box for city of Redwood City today with my new friend Rachel Corn. #morganmuralstudios

Super fun koi mural for a powder room. My clients

Super fun koi mural for a powder room. My clients have the best ideas!

#morganmuralstudios

I am in love with @stonebalancerart “You Are Lov

I am in love with @stonebalancerart “You Are Loved” murals. I am so excited to share with you my convo with Alex about his 20 year career as a mural artist, and the inspiration behind #youarelovedmurals .

Enjoy!
#morganmuralstudios

So excited to have the fabulous Hanna Daly as my g

So excited to have the fabulous Hanna Daly as my guest on Ep 15! Hanna has painted over 1,000 murals in the San Diego area and she shares a pro lens on the mural artist hustle. Enjoy!
#hannasmurals
#morganmurals

All finished at Noddin. One badass kindergarten te

All finished at Noddin. One badass kindergarten teacher pulled it all together, approvals, fundraising, community support. Now she and a generation of kindergarteners to come can enjoy the fruits of her labor.
#morganmurals

Gnatcatcher on Echevaria on a indoor pool at a new

Gnatcatcher on Echevaria on a indoor pool at a new community center.
I dreamed of how I wanted this to come out. It never quite gets the glow, the palettes I see in my minds eye, but I always get closer.
#morganmurals

I love working in - and painting - the city of Hal

I love working in - and painting - the city of Half Moon Bay! This is the third commission from the city, this time in their main conference room in city hall. Beautiful fall weather, beautiful community. I love to joy.
#morganmurals #bayareamurals
#halfmoonbaymurals

Leighton is going to have sweet dreams in this ult

Leighton is going to have sweet dreams in this ultra soft cloud faux finish on the walls and ceiling, to match the cloudy presidio views of San Francisco.
Special thanks to @shannongeis for the great assistance.
#morganmurals

The one thing we need more than hope is action. T

The one thing we need more than hope is action.
This mural is on the corner of Third St and State St in downtown Los Altos. Thank you to Los Altos Investments for making this possible.

I am looking for more walls to paint More Greta murals.
#gretathunberg #fridaysforfuture #climatechangeisreal
#saveourplanet
#fridaysforfutureusa
#morganmurals
#bayareamurals
#downtownlosaltos @los_altos_communityinvestments

I finished up a new mural for Collins elementary i

I finished up a new mural for Collins elementary in Cupertino. Collins is the oldest continuous school in Santa Clara county, so we included the original schoolhouse. The banner includes drawings the kids made, and they are tactile (raised).
#lovemyjob
#morganmurals
#collinselementary
#bayareamurals

Anybody know a Lucas? I painted this mural in 2013

Anybody know a Lucas? I painted this mural in 2013 and my son is now a man and wants to put up Brockhamtpton posters. FREE to the first Lucas who claims it. It’s on lightweight pvc based panels; you have to come pick it up.

#morganmurals

The City if Half Moon Bay commissioned murals for

The City if Half Moon Bay commissioned murals for three conference rooms. The “Harvest Room” is the first in the series.
#morganmurals #halfmoonbaymurals

Back to school night for the parents in the new cl

I’m feeling proud of my most recent podcast epis

I’m feeling proud of my most recent podcast episode! I’m finally starting to loosen up... maybe too much.🤓 #morganmurals
#ifthesewallscouldtalk
#bayareaartist
#podcast

An Endless path through the forest where is will b

An Endless path through the forest where is will be always spring, the brook always running just so. The family pug is in the corner. This will be the clients workout room.
#morganmurals

Look ma I made a video! If it is helpful, I will

Look ma I made a video!

If it is helpful, I will make more!
#morganmurals #howtopaint

Working on a forest scene this morning...

Working on a forest scene this morning...

Finishing up a soft jungle theme for a playroom at

Finishing up a soft jungle theme for a playroom at a private residence. The playroom is flanked by adult fun, a spa and wine room, so I tried to keep the jungle theme on the formal side to fit the multipurpose space.
#morganmurals

I had a blast painting along side other mural arti

I had a blast painting along side other mural artists, each celebrating their community through a mural on walls at (and sponsored by) the Santa Clara county fairgrounds.
So, yes, I just got paid to paint a mural of my daughter at six years old on the rope swing in our backyard, and celebrate a community I have grown to love so much. I love my job. It’s a cross between cake decorator and cake eating. It’s all goooooood.
Next stop: more and more trying to support murals and the growing community of mural artists in peninsula cities and San Jose. Almost daily I manage to talk to some eager artist about painting their cake and eating it too. Dreams do come true, folks. I am happy to be data point #3,625,854.000. Move towards your big dream now in whatever small way you can. It’s patiently waiting for your arrival.

#artlosaltos #followyourdreams #sanjoseart #santaclaracountyfairgrounds

#morganmuralstudios #schoolmurals
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

I took my friend Joanna, visiting from telluride c

I took my friend Joanna, visiting from telluride co, on a walk around my neighborhood. We passed by the mural I painted at Egan and she asked, “do you ever paint wings murals? Like where people can stand in front and take selfies?” I hadn’t thought of this mural as a selfie mural per se, but told her to turn around, snapped the photo, and I think it’s pretty good as a wing mural too! My friends have great ideas.

#morganmuralstudios #schoolmurals
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

I finished a second mural in Guatemala at a school

I finished a second mural in Guatemala at a school run by #dreamvolunteers . They provide scholarships for junior high and high schools from vuelta grande.
I finished in two day with lots of help from Valentin, a student, Christian, the English teacher who together painted the Mayan calendar. My daughter painted the huipil with amaryllis, Wilma y Analia, lettering help from Jessica, and site coordination support from many including Erbin and the dream volunteers leadership team. A whirlwind, and so happy with how it all came together.

Tu suenos enriquezan los mios / your dreams enrich mine. These students need both family encouragement as well as role models ahead of them to show what is possible in order to forge a new path of advanced education and broader horizons. I hope this inspires the next generation of students!

#dreamvolunteers
#guatemalamurals

#morganmuralstudios #utilityboxart
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

I had so much fun painting this mural with my daug

I had so much fun painting this mural with my daughter and other volunteers as part of a service trip through #dreamvolunteers . Amazed with Allies creative ideas and hard work. This mural was painted for a new second/third grade classroom for a rural school in vuelta grande, outside of the city of Antigua, in Guatemala.

Photos of the school site, a house visit to a neighbor, and the final photo is a mock wedding I got tangled up in.
It is a Tough life here and for women in particular. Dream volunteers supports two schools and over 20 scholarships to upper grade students in vuelta grande, where there is no secondary school, to continue their education in Antigua. Before this school started many girls were not going to school at all. I hope the art will help them associate the beautiful art with school being a joyful, happy place.

#antiguamurals #morganmuralstudios #schoolmurals
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

Guess which one is mine? Offering the world a litt

Guess which one is mine? Offering the world a little more than just efficiency, but a reason to smile along the way. Instead of protesting culture, make art.

#morganmuralstudios #utilityboxart
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

An Antarctic themed nursery. Or maybe we should c

An Antarctic themed nursery. Or maybe we should call it a hatchery? A rookery? I call it done!

#morganmuralstudios #antarctica
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

Decked out a playhouse with an underwater theme. T

Decked out a playhouse with an underwater theme. They are having a big event at the house, so added a little chalkboard art signage. I put magnetic paint down under the whole wall the chalkboard is on. I made a digital collage of 10 sea creatures from past murals, printed them out #on a magnetic sheet, cut the pieces out, and now Koran has peel and stick fish, whales, etc on that wall. Moveable art pieces.
Every project should have a first! The opposite wall is a lego base, for dimensional building and I thought a control panel around could be fun. If I had to do it again, I would include tactile buttons, and three dimensional elements, like a real vintage handset instead of painted. Imaginative, but interactive.

#morganmuralstudios #underwaterart
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

Anna’s hummingbird. It’s my one woman marketin

Anna’s hummingbird. It’s my one woman marketing campaign for the birds.

#morganmuralstudios #utilityboxart
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

Spring will be extended indefinitely at the Dumas

Spring will be extended indefinitely at the Dumas household.

I don’t use filters on my instagram mural posts. (No guarantees on the mug shots). The awesomeness of site specific, custom artwork is that I tune all the colors with the surrounding space, the viewing distance, the feel I want to create. Filter free is how it looks best in real life too. I’m actually trying to get rid of all my filters to directly experiencing life in all things, but that is a long, long path. In the meantime, enjoy the view.

#morganmuralstudios #landscapemural
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

A western meadowlark. I hope you get out and enjoy

A western meadowlark. I hope you get out and enjoy this beautiful spring day!! Who’s nesting in your backyard?

#morganmuralstudios #utilityboxart
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals.

Finished my fourth and final ball wall at Stocklme

Finished my fourth and final ball wall at Stocklmeir. Flower and thanks from the students, faculty and community. I am pretty sure I have the best job ever. So grateful to celebrate kindness through beautiful colors and positive images and words. Lots of levels to connect on and receive the benefit of art. Kudos to the Stocklmeir PTA for supporting the project.

#morganmuralstudios #schoolmurals
#bayareamuralist #handpaintedmurals