Selecting a Muralist, Obtaining Background Information on the Artists

The first thing to consider when selecting a muralist is their background. The following questions should help you find out more about an artist.

How long has the artist been painting?

A substantial amount of experience is a factor some may consider crucial. Although experience is important, it is not a true measure of an artist’s talent. Art can be either a God-given gift or a skill learned thru years of training. Because of this, you may find that a less experienced, naturally talented artist can have the ability to produce works of equal beauty as an artist with trained skills and years of experience. Experience, however, can sometimes be a gauge of how smoothly the artist will be able to fulfill your request. Painting murals is often a logistical challenge and for those just starting in the business, there may be some extra learning involved in the process of completing the mural. That risk may be worth taking if you discover an artist whose work you absolutely adore. Remember that your enjoyment of the final art piece is more important than any other factor.

What type of projects has the artist done in the past?

You should be able to view slides or a portfolio of the artist’s personal work, not just examples of work done by someone other than the artist. This will give you clear evidence of the style and ability of the artist. If either do not match your expectations, it would be best for you to continue searching. The one exception might be a new artist who clearly has outstanding talent, but not many completed projects. In that case, if you are very interested in using that artist, and you have been able to positively check off the other questions on this list, then ask the artist for a smaller sample canvas of the style your are interested in seeing. Only do this if you are willing to strongly consider hiring the artist.

What mediums does the artist use for painting murals?

The predominant mediums used for mural painting are acrylics and oils. Both have advantages and disadvantages given different circumstances. Keep in mind that you will pay a premium for a mural to be painted with oils due to the difference in paint costs and the extra time involved in working with oils. The most common medium is acrylics because they are far easier to work with on larger murals.

Does the artist have references you can contact personally?

References are important, especially for large projects, because they allow you to speak with someone who has hired or worked with the muralist. Try to contact two to three people who have hired the muralist. They should be able to give a solid recommendation on the artist’s talent, work ethic, and ability to deliver the mural as agreed upon. For small mural commissions under $2,000, written testimonials should be sufficient. You will be able to determine a lot by talking with the muralist and asking the questions in this article.

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