• Start with a walk-through. “We like to walk through the whole house to get a feel for the space and the client,” says Jennifer Innes of Trillium Crafted Surfaces Ltd. in Milwaukee. Letting artists become familiar with the house, its interior design and its inhabitants will help tailor the process and the product to the specific site and client, Innes says.

• Show, don’t just tell. Both Innes and Martin Soo Hoo, a Michigan-based mural artist, suggest using as many visual aids as possible during the process of conceptualization. Art references, style and color books, and photos can help both client and artist develop ideas.
“Things that are supposed to be timeless do take time.” Martin Soo Hoo, artist.
• Don’t cut corners. Fine mural projects require a lot of planning and communication. “We often spend as much time in the conceptualization stage as in production,” Innes says. Designers should set the pace for a project, and budget enough time for the artist to do their best. “Things that are supposed to be timeless do take time,” Soo Hoo says. “If you want museum-quality work, there are no shortcuts.”

Mural photo by Trillium Crafted Services Ltd.

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