How to find a muralist who is a good fit for you and your project:
So you know you want a mural, but have never worked with a muralist?
Don’t worrry…I got you!
I’ll go over some ways to find artists as well as common questions and things for you to consider when choosing a muralist.
The first step…find an artist!
There are a few good ways to find someone to reach out to.
Here are some places to start:
Get out and look at the murals where you live. Drive around downtown Atlanta, Cabbagetown, and Old Fourth Ward for example where tons of murals are. See which designs really stand out to you and look for an artist signature. Artists almost always sign their murals and these days they usually put their instagram handle on the wall. (I sign mine @Artsy_Elaine !)
If you don’t have time to drive around, ask for referrals from friends or LinkedIn or Google for ‘Atlanta muralist’ or muralist in your town. Muralists that work in your city should hopefully come up in the search. And in my opinion, going with someone you find on Google means two things: it means they are professional enough to have a website (make sure you like how their website looks) — and two, ranking well on Google means that people have found their website helpful, so a lot of people go to their website looking for a muralist and finding one. This helps you find a credible artist.
Another way to find an artist is to look on instagram. I rank this as the last option, because it’s probably harder to search and find someone in your location whose style you like. But if you don’t mind paying travel fees for an artist you love, then by all means look for art you are drawn to!
Once you find a few artists whose work you like, how do you choose which one to go with?
STYLE: What style or design are you going for? Review portfolios and choose an artist whose work already aligns with that style. Asking an artist to work in a style they haven’t demonstrated they can do well is a bit of a gamble to be sure you’ll like it. Some artists may not do certain styles at all. There are usually two types of artists out there: ones who specialize in specific styles and ones who generalize and paint all kinds. It’s helpful to know which kind you are reaching out to.
EXPERIENCE: Considering your project, determine if you are fine with a more beginner muralist or if you want the trusted track record of a more experienced artist. More experience, obviously is usually preferred especially for high profile, difficult, or large projects. However, that usually means a higher price tag and you don’t always need someone with the MOST experience if you like their portfolio.
TESTIMONIALS: One way to judge how your experience working with someone will be is to look for testimonials on their website, or ask them for some. These are an easy way for a well-respected muralist to show that they have happy clients who would recommend their work. Artists are also notorious for not being great communicators or organized…but not all are! Seeing reviews that talk about their level of professionalism will let you know if you’re in good hands.
AVAILABILITY/PROXIMITY: Another deciding factor is if the artist lives near your wall, or is willing to travel, and if they are available in the timeframe you’re looking for. It’s not uncommon for muralists to be booked several months out, especially since the mural process of developing designs takes time. Don’t expect to reach out to an artist for a project to be completed in less than 4 weeks unless you want to pay a rush fee.
PRICING: Of course your final decision may come down to dollars. But don’t let that be the only reason you choose someone. If one person is more expensive than another it could still be worth it: their process might be easier, their design quality better, and their professionalism outstanding. After all, those in high demand can demand a higher payment. You should look for someone offering all-inclusive pricing, versus charging you based on how many days it takes them. You don’t want to be in the position of not knowing how long it will take the artist or how much you’ll end up paying in the end. Most muralists should give you one flat price, or a close range in pricing, which includes: design & revision time, licensing the design, paint and materials, equipment rental, labor, and insurance.
Other things to consider BEFORE you get started on your mural journey.
PERMISSION: Do you have permission to paint a mural on the wall? Seriously! If you are reaching out about a public wall, find out who owns the wall before you ever engage with an artist and make sure they are on board.
BUDGET: Do you have a budget? Know that murals can be a big ticket item and if you need to find the funds for it, be transparent about that with the artist. As a broad range, muralists can charge anywhere from $20-50 per square foot. So if you are asking for a huge mural to be painted, expect a high price.
PERMITS: If you want an outdoor mural, does your city require a permit or approval by an arts council? Some cities classify outdoor murals as signage. The process of getting a permit or approval is usually handled by the business/client, not the artist.
Hopefully that helps you narrow down your search! And if you’re curious about what it looks like to work with me….check out this previous post!
Thanks for reading!
Are you ready to reach out to me about your mural project? Fill out my inquiry form below!