This three-wall residential mural was created for a spare bedroom used by two visiting grandchildren — one boy and one girl. Commissioned by their grandparents, the design was meant to feel enchanting and age-appropriate for the children now, while still offering enough charm and storytelling to grow with them over time. I titled it Storybook Woodlands because the finished mural feels to me like a children’s picture book brought to life through the details of a real place and family.

Each child is woven into the mural through personal details and favorite interests. The granddaughter is shown horseback riding on Trigger, her grandparents’ horse, with Mama the donkey nearby, while the grandson appears riding his favorite four-wheeler through the scene. Their cat Mao Mao is included as well, alongside woodland animals inspired by those regularly seen on the property. The nearby airfield also made its way into the mural through a small plane and skywriting overhead.

Using a whimsical woodland reference image provided by the grandmother as a starting point, I carried that storybook style across all three walls to create a cohesive, playful environment rooted in both imagination and the family’s real surroundings. One of my favorite details to hear later was that the children began making up their own stories from the mural imagery — exactly the kind of imaginative engagement I had hoped the room would invite.

The mural was created during a tender season for the family, and over time the grandmother shared that the room became a place of comfort and light for her as well. Years later, she still speaks about the piece and how the room has become a favorite not only for her and her grandchildren, but for other guests in the home too.

Title: Storybook Woodlands
Size: 8' h x 35' w
Site/City: Private Residence, Pittsboro, NC 
Medium: Interior latex paint. 
Date: May 21- June 1, 2024.