We recently connected with Stevie Jablonsky and have shared our conversation below.

Stevie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The kindest gift I’ve ever received came from my daughter, Ellis. Her birth two years ago transformed not just my art, but my entire relationship with creativity. Though I’ve been creating all my life, studying painting, drawing, and design in college, I had always worked small scale, keeping my work primarily for personal use. Ellis shifted my entire perspective on life and brought with her an unexpected freedom – she filled my days with play and crystallized for me what truly matters. Through Ellis, I found the permission to play more with shapes and color, to create more boldly and larger, to embrace my authentic voice, and the confidence to share color and whimsy with others in a new way.

Stevie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those of you that don’t know me, Hello! I’m Stevie, the muralist behind The Painted Wall Co., residing in the Alberta Arts District of Portland, Oregon. I’m a lifelong painter turned muralist who studied Art at SFSU. My work is inspired by nature and the Pacific Northwest, mixing whimsy, organic shapes, and bright colors to breathe a little fun into every space. You’ll find my murals transforming homes, enlivening Airbnbs, and bringing joy to public spaces throughout Portland – and I’m always eager to paint more! Turning visions into reality is my jam – I love collaborating with clients, hearing their ideas, and helping them make their world a little more colorful! You can learn more about me and my work on my website, thepaintedwall.co, or on Instagram at @thepaintedwallco.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I feel incredibly fortunate to call Portland, and the Pacific Northwest, home. The Pacific Northwest has this amazing culture of embracing creativity and supporting local artists, from our vibrant street art scene to neighborhood galleries and public installations. When communities actively invest in and make space for art like this, it creates a beautiful ripple effect – inspiring new artists, bringing neighbors together, and making our whole community more colorful and connected.

One of the coolest things we do in Portland is the Arts Tax, which directly funds art-focused nonprofit organizations and other art-focused programs. I think it’s a great statement about what we value as a city and I believe more programs like it would really help the creative ecosystem thrive.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being invited into people’s homes and personal spaces to create something semi-permanent is one of the most humbling privileges of being a muralist – it’s an incredible act of trust that I never take for granted. My greatest hope is that each piece sparks joy, not just for my clients but for everyone who encounters them, adding a bit of unexpected whimsy to their day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thepaintedwall.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepaintedwallco/