The Mural Artist's Handbook

by Morgan Bricca

Are you ready to try your hand at painting a mural? Have you wondered how to find clients who will pay you to paint? In this handbook you will learn how Mural art is exploding. It has leapfrogged over its traditionally circumspect reputation by the "art establishment" into a full-blown renaissance for the medium. The current popularity of mural art is fueled by grassroots political activism and community placemaking, as well as increased demand for eye-catching photos on social media, including "selfie moments" and one-of-a-kind interior design. The Mural Artist's Handbook is a "nuts and bolts" guide on how to paint a mural for anyone wanting to jump in on the current mural art trend. Morgan draws on her 20-year career as a mural artist to lay bare the "Wild West" of mural art. This handbook provides detailed project considerations for a variety of clients, including residential, schools, commercial, and publicly-funded mural projects. This handbook also unlocks the mystery of how to find steady, paid work as a mural artist so that artists can spend the best hours of their days, week after week, building mastery in the craft of painting murals.

Genres: Art

136 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2020

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t complicate things and I love how Morgan approaches mural making as a trade. The most simple advice seemed to be the things I needed to hear - interact with the public, don’t take criticism or public input personally, take your shoes off in someone else’s home (I am like Pigpen but I’m working on being a cleaner artist), and show up for work in the *morning*. Also, don’t penalize yourself financially if you’re a fast painter— something I’m always itching to do. The way she handles her financing is interesting and I would love to pick her brain more on this, though I feel like I’m on the right track. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to find out what it would cost a person to have a professional painter just block in a single color on a wall, and making sure my price isn’t significantly different from that.

The bit about helping to coordinate a Kickstarter or fundraiser for passion projects is also great advice. It also never occurred to me that by doing a large art project for an organization for free equates to being the sole donor for that cause—something that a person with my wallet has no business doing. I appreciate the approach of fundraising to ensure that you’re getting paid adequately while also allowing other people within the community support the cause.

Lately fear is my biggest obstacle- I know once I’m on the job site i can make it work, but I keep finding myself not on the job site. I tend to make the projects more intimidating in my brain which isn’t helpful. This was a great book for sort of nurturing those very real fears but also encouraging that “business” side of me to keep scheduling, finding that accountability. Overall a great primer for a beginner or experienced mural artist.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The muralist community is so fortunate to have Morgan's extensive knowledge and experience distilled into this slim volume. Not only is Morgan a talented artist, she is a gifted and thoughtful writer. Her insights and advice are a pleasure to read, and the handbook's format is light and easy to absorb. The Mural Artist's Handbook is a valuable resource for seasoned and aspiring muralists alike. Highly recommended!