finding inspiration for your mural design

Artistic inspiration for a mural can come from many places. Nature, architecture, museums, personal experience and culture, as well as the internet are all great places to help figure out what you want your mural motif to be.

Nature is often a profound influence, with its vibrant colors and intricate patterns providing a rich tapestry for creative ideas. Landscapes, flora, fauna, insects and animals can all serve as jumping-off points for designs that evoke emotion and connection to the environment.

Architecture, too, plays a crucial role in shaping mural concepts. The lines, shapes, and historical context of buildings can inspire compositions that harmonize with their surroundings or invite a conversation about the past. Exploring local architecture can spark ideas that celebrate community identity and heritage.

Museums offer another treasure trove of inspiration. The works of master artists can ignite creativity, prompting a reinterpretation of classic themes through a modern lens. Engaging with art history allows for a deeper understanding of various styles, techniques, and cultural narratives, which can be incorporated into unique mural designs.

Personal experiences and cultural backgrounds also greatly influence mural artistry. Reflecting on one's own journey or the stories of a community can create murals that resonate on a personal level, fostering connection and dialogue among viewers. Cultural symbols, traditions, and narratives can be woven into designs that celebrate diversity and shared experiences, making each mural a narrative piece.

Lastly, the digital world, especially social media, has revolutionized access to artistic inspiration. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest allow artists to share and discover ideas at an unprecedented speed. Visual trends, color palettes, and thematic innovations can spread rapidly, enabling muralists to stay current and inspire each other globally.

Once you’ve found your inspiration and created your mood board, it’s my job to bring all your ideas to life. I’ll work closely with you to ensure that every detail reflects your vision and fits seamlessly into your space. Whether it’s a bold statement for a business or a calming backdrop for a home, every mural I create is tailored to your unique style. Let’s collaborate to turn your ideas into a stunning mural that you will love for years to come!

savannah post card mural

A postcard style mural designed and hand painted by sky benson for an apartment complex lobby. The client requested the mural says “Greetings from SAVANNAH Ga” with local landmarks inside the letters. To balance the murals striking size in such a small space, he mural uses a subdued pallet in shades of green with subtle pops of cream.

Different Types of Murals Explained

There are many different types of hand painted murals. Often my work incorporates two or more styles within one design. Figurative, abstract, supergraphic, logos and signs are the styles I often combine in different ways to create custom mural designs.

Figurative illustrations are pictures derived from real object sources, like animals or landmarks.

Abstract murals do not attempt to depict visual reality as it truly is but instead use shapes, and gestural marks to suggest ideas.

Supergraphic murals originated in the 60’s and 70’s. These types of murals are known for bold colors and geometric and abstract shapes on a large scale. Supergraphic murals of stripes and wavy patterns are of the most common styles.

Logo murals are hand painted depictions of a brand or company logo.

Where as a sign mural is usually a more simple depiction of letters and numbers often used for way finding.

A few examples of my favorite recent murals involve combining many of these mural styles to fill a wall with vibrant and dynamic designs.

Tybrisa Street Mural

In early 2024 the Tybee Island Mainstreet Association asked if could design a mural for a 165 foot wall on Tybrisa Street. I was so excited and honored. For me Tybrisa Street had always been what I considered Tybee’s “Main Street”, it was the street I always made home base whenever I visited the island so to be asked to put my mark on one of my favorite places was really special.

The Tybee Island Mainstreet Association was so great to work with. They had given me a list of items they felt represented Tybee and the lifestyle but otherwise gave me so much freedom to bring it all to life in my own way. By May the mural design had been approved and in July paint hit the wall.

With so many great ideas for this massive mural I decided to break up the design into nine 15-20 foot wide vignettes and then tied it all together with an overlapping supergraphic wave motif and striped background. Since the mural is broken up into smaller sections I believed it was important to keep the pallet consistent across the entire length of the mural.

The Tybrisa Street mural includes many local landmarks and references to life on Tybee island. Some of my favorite motifs of the mural are the Tybee post theater and cockspur lighthouse illustrated as sandcastles, the large pelican and egret with wings spread, and the sea turtle whose fin is drawn to resemble a map of Tybee island.

Painting this mural for the city of Tybee was a great experience. I loved getting to work outside in the sunshine in my favorite little beach town and meeting so many kind people. Because I designed the mural into smaller sections, passerby’s got to enjoy each vignette as I watched on and continued to work on other areas of the mural. It was a pleasure getting to see all their smiling faces and so nice to hear their compliments while I worked.

Shout out to Tyler Buckingham for the nice action shots and to Caitlin Webb for some cool drone footage.