The UK leads the world in many creative arenas, think fashion or furniture design, but in other areas we are most certainly deserving of a ‘could do better’. One such area is murals, an art form as old as man itself, but one where the UK is lagging miserably behind it’s US and European cousins. Don’t get me wrong, we are doing so much better than we were 11 years ago when I started Charlotte Designs, but you don’t have to travel very far over a pond in any direction to see that we still have a way to go.
Age of Reptiles Mural
One area where murals are beginning to see some traction is in the entertainments industry and it is easy to see why. Hand painted murals are a perfect way of bringing exhibits and play equipment alive, they can be used to create a whole new world simply and cost effectively, inside or out. It is not surprising then that Disney are the master exponents at this. Using murals extensively and effectively to bring their fantasy worlds alive, but they are not the only ones. This mural is in New Haven, Connecticut and is called the “Age of Reptiles” mural, painted by Rudolf Zallinger in the mids 1940’s. A quick Google search shows that this mural is loved by everyone, young and old and that is the surprising thing about murals. People still see them as a kiddie thing, but they really are for absolutely everyone.
Stairway Mural No.1 St. Louis
This mural is in an Art Gallery in St. Louis and shows just how effective they can be in awkward spaces like a stairwell, (a curved stairwell in this case). Imaginatively named “Staircase mural no. 1” it shows how murals can turn a seemingly bland space into something amazing, a talking point.
Murals can be used to celebrate a special occasion or anniversary, they can be used to add information about your history or location. However, I guarantee you that whatever your mural is used for, whatever you need it to do, with some thought, I can get it to work and will repay you many times over. I did this one 4 years ago to celebrate the London Olympics; turning a dead space that no one used into a colourful, vibrant play area that the children love.
Olympic Host City Mural
Murals are a wonderfuly practical way of adding interest. They can be applied to almost any surface, need relatively little preparation and are very hard wearing. We can incorporate your branding or corporate colours too. As one of the UK’s most prolific and experienced mural artists, we are used to working with a wide variety of clients and multiple stakeholders within a project. Every mural is designed for your specific needs and our design service is completely free of charge.
So whatever you need your mural to do, let’s see if we can get your walls working for you. 