YARMOUTH, N.S. — Julie Mood knew she wanted a mural as soon as she saw the location for her business, Jenesis Interiors, on Water Street. The stark, white brick walls screamed for colour.
She says with the Yarmouth facade program being used by other businesses, she wanted to set a new standard and challenge the typical facelift of a building.
“You’re allowed to go outside of the box, it’s often encouraged in our town, a town full of creative, driven artists and entrepreneurs,” she said.
Mood spent close to a year looking at pictures of famous murals around the world: trendy, modern, bright, dim, gloomy, happy, those in Nashville, New York, Paris, Los Angeles and further afield.
Once she had the seed of an idea, she talked to artist Danielle Mahood.
“I knew I had to settle with a design and trust someone to understand what I wanted when, really, I didn’t even fully know myself,” she said.
She believes that’s what a true artist does. They take what a person thinks they want and turn it into something even better than they could’ve ever dreamed possible.
She says Mahood did that for her… and for the town.
Mood knew she wanted florals in the 14’ x 14’ space, with leaves randomly placed. Other than that, plus information on which colours to avoid, the artist was on her own.
She chose to paint peonies, which Mood says is uncanny because Mahood had no idea they were her favourite flower. Meanwhile, Mood chose to brighten the front door, unknowingly selecting the exact color of the main flower in the design.
Although Mood won’t say how much the project cost, she says it’s worth it and something she would encourage other businesses to invest in.
She says the price tag was something she expected from an artist of Danielle’s calibre.
“I was prepared,” she said. “I’ve been wanting this for a long time so I’ve had time to save.”
She believes the mural will become an icon for Yarmouth.
“Everywhere in the world you find creative photo-op locations - this just became one.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the continued transition of Yarmouth and to bring life back to this section of our town.
“It was such an adventure to have the freedom to create whatever we wanted. With Main Street there is a certain design that ‘should’ be followed, but Water Street is the Artist Warehouse District. We have so much freedom and should really put a spotlight on that distinction.
“The talent around here is off the charts and we need to showcase and celebrate that.”
For more info
Keane Wheeler has a Facebook Page under Keane Wheeler Photography
