We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krystal Michelle Mural Studio Krystal Maynor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Krystal Michelle Mural Studio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Many of my projects have been meaningful in different ways. The client that I am working for currently is a client that I have painted for several times. He is also an artist and appreciates the value of creative expression. With each mural, he never micromanages or gives a lot of direction. He simply shares a general vision and then gives me the space to interpret it through my own artistic lens. It’s hard to express just how consequential this is.
In a world where visual trends often dominate, things like photo-op wings, nostalgic postcard themes, or iconic cultural figures like La Catrina, it’s easy to feel pressure to repeat what’s already popular. And while those styles have their place and can be beautifully executed, the kind of art that resonates most with me comes from a deeper place. It’s not about imitation; it’s about expressing a real emotion, based on what moves you. When you approach art in that way, it allows you to create something that is truly unique and really beautiful.
Because of this artistic freedom, I feel that I have created some of my best work while working for this client. While I still work along with his preferences, my current project allows me to breathe artistically. I have been able to make adjustments as the mural progressed just because it felt right. I didn’t need approval for each decision I made. He just trusted me. That is what makes this project so meaningful.
Not all of my projects are deeply based in art and design, some are more design-driven or functional, but for the ones that are, I am deeply grateful to clients who recognize the value in true creative expression.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a commercial mural artist specializing in large-scale custom murals and signage for both interior and exterior spaces. My work combines thoughtful design with hands-on installation, tailored to fit the specific needs and personality of each project. What really sets my work apart is my deep love for design and problem-solving, there’s nothing I enjoy more than finding the right visual language for a space. I don’t limit myself to a particular style; instead, I focus on what best suits the environment and the client’s goals, whether that’s intricate, fine-art detail or bold, minimalist shapes.
This journey began from a place of passion and necessity. I was eager to support volunteer work that meant a lot to me and needed a way to fund it. At the same time, I’d always had a strong pull toward design and visual storytelling. That combination gave me the courage to take a leap. Once I got started, word spread quickly. What began as a leap of faith turned into a full-time business, and I’ve been grateful ever since for the steady flow of client requests and the opportunity to bring color and character to so many spaces.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Many people (myself included, in the beginning) tend to imagine the world of murals as a world, sitting peacefully while you paint with a delicate brush, surrounded by beautiful colors and a gentle breeze. In reality, it’s more like clinging to a lift that’s swaying in the wind while your paint thickens under the blazing sun and the brush you’re holding between your teeth (because there’s literally nowhere else to put it) hardens to a stick in the extreme conditions. You’re not in a climate-controlled studio with peaceful sounds, you’re on an all-male, construction site with no bathrooms and an intermittent hum (or scream) of drills interrupting your creative flow. I find myself in Home Depot far more often than my once-beloved Hobby Lobby. But honestly, once you let go of the fantasy and embrace the chaos, it’s actually kind of fun. The unknown keeps it exciting and the satisfaction at the end of a project makes it all worth it.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Freedom…. and spending my time doing something that I still do voluntarily on my free time just because I love it so much. I don’t have ask a boss if I can take that week off and wait nervously to see if my vacation request got approved. If I want to make more money, I can. If I want to work less, I can do that too. I have the power to shape my schedule, choose my clients, and decide how I spend my days. It’s hard to think of many things more valuable than that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krystalmichelleart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalmichelle_muralstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krystalmichellemuralstudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-maynor-a83957347
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/krystal-michelle-mural-studio-atlanta
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/krystalmichelleart/
