413. Things I Wish I Knew Before Painting My First Mural

Ever look back at your first mural and cringe just a little? In this episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my very first paid mural—the $350 job that had me spending three scorching days in the sun, a sketchy ladder, and a whole lot of “what was I thinking?” moments.I’ll share what that project taught me about pricing, safety, and preparation—lessons I wish I’d known before climbing that ladder with the wrong paint and too much optimism. These early mistakes shaped how I run my mural business today, from choosing the right materials to confidently quoting big projects and staying safe while doing what I love. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your process, this episode will help you skip the struggle and learn from my first-mural fiasco. Resources mentioned: Mural Supplies → artistacademy.co/supply Mural Pricing Guide → artistacademy.co/pricingguide $17 Audio Book → MuralMoney.com HEADS UP! I will be taking on a new small group of artists to coach more intimately with meetings every week starting January 1st. If you are interested, message me and I will put your name on a list to let you know as soon as it becomes available. You are perfect for this coaching if you have a few photos of your work and need guidance on bigger projects, what to say to customers, how to land jobs, or if you get stuck not knowing what to do—I’m on call.