We recently connected with Tia Wind and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been AMAZED at how my mural business has allowed me to work full time doing something I love! We moved down to the panhandle 2 years ago for my husband’s job. We previously owned an ice cream shop in Benton, Arkansas where I worked full time and he came in after a long day working for Caterpillar. During Covid, we remodeled our shop and I decided to paint murals on our walls. One thing lead to another and it became a ‘thing’. We started painting buildings for our fellow business owner friends and we were having a blast. In September of 2021 we came down to Navarre for vacation and our friend who lives here called and said there was a job opportunity for my husband if he wanted it. We headed back to Arkansas, sold our house, our business and moved within 6 weeks!
My plan was to find a fun, easy, tourist friendly job and just enjoy being in a vacay hot spot. I joined a local facebook page to make friends and someone posted that they were looking for someone to paint a mural in a kids room. I scrolled past. The next day, I went back to the post and she had over 50 comments from people who wanted to do it and recommending other artists. I showed my husband and he said, ‘You could totally do that!” I knew if I reached out and tossed my hat in the ring, it would turn into a ‘thing’ again. Did I want to commit to starting ANOTHER business or was I satisfied getting a job where I could punch a clock and leave work at work? So, I reached out and sent her a couple pictures of my previous work. Within the hour she messaged me back and asked when I could start! WHAT?! There were so many other people in her comments that were just as good and had impeccable portfolios. I told her I could start as soon as possible. That’s when she informed me it was for the kids room in the Air BnB ON the beach.
I went all in. And as soon as she posted pictures, my phone and email BLEW UP!

Tia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I provide my clients with custom designs that are cultivated to fit their space. We can go as bold or as dialed down as they want. We work together to find the perfect design and implement it in a timely fashion. There are mural artists in the area who are amazing, but every one of us brings a different perspective to the table. Some are talented spray paint artists. Others stick to a cohesive color palette and design style. My style is more ‘all-over-the-place’…….in a good way! I don’t like to stick to one design style. I like animation, realism, abstract…..all the things. But I’ll be honest, i don’t have plans to pick up a spray can. I’ll leave that to the amazing spray paint artists! I’ve painted for huge restaurants to private residents to salons to beach rentals. My client list is vast and diverse and I LOVE IT!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal, at this point in my life, (I just turned 50), is to BE HAPPY! Your destiny….your life’s purpose doesn’t always have to be something grand or special. Because when you live authentically, all those things fall into place. Doors open. Doors close. And all of it is OK! At the end of the day I want to go to bed knowing I served my clients a heaping pile of joy that makes them happy. My life isn’t about being the most popular person in the room or the most talented artist in the area. I want to be happy. And painting murals for people who love art makes me happy!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of this journey is the people I’ve met! Most of my clients are now my friends! I found my stylist, my favorite restaurant, the best cup of coffee and the most beautiful beach front rentals doing this job. It’s such a great way to support the community, because I also like to promote their businesses on my socials.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tiawindmurals
• Facebook: Tia Wind Murals
• Other: TikTok:tiawind1

Image Credits
The only image that was taken by someone else is my featured photo; Dana Hof from Local Pulse Pensacola and People of Pensacola.