My Favourite Murals from 2025 (And What They Took to Make)

There’s something about a mural on a wall that never gets old for me.

Maybe it’s the scale.
Maybe it’s the chaos.
Maybe it’s the moment when a completely boring wall suddenly has personality.

2025 was a big year of painting murals for me. Every single one of them start as a sketchbook idea and end with me covered in paint. And me wearing the same overalls for three days straight!

So I wanted to do a little roundup of some of my favourite murals from 2025. Not just the pretty finished shots, but talking about some of the challenges that goes into getting a mural on a wall in the first place.

Because spoiler alert: it’s never just “painting a wall”.

Why Every Mural on a Wall Hits Different

A mural isn’t like a canvas you can quietly fix later.
It’s public. It’s permanent... It’s very much a commitment.

Every mural has to work with:

• The surface (and whatever weird things that wall is hiding)

• The scale (which always looks smaller in your sketchbook)

• The environment its surrounded by

• And the people who see it every day

That’s part of the thrill... and also part of the challenge.

The Reality Behind My 2025 Murals

If you saw my 2025 mural challenges carousel on Instagram, you already know this year wasn’t all smooth walls and perfect weather.

Some real highlights included:

• Painting through wind that had zero respect for my tape lines

• Working around awkward wall shapes and surprise textures

• Colour decisions that had me second guessing myself at 7am and somehow they were perfect by the end

• Tight timelines, curious passersby, and the occasional “are you going to add a bird?”

Every mural on a wall came with its own personality and demands.

And honestly? That’s why I love it.

Favourite Murals of 2025

1. A Wall That Gave Me Full Creative Freedom

This mural started with a very blank wall and a very clear brief: make it feel alive.

I was allocated this wall as part of the Tauranga Street Art Festival and I had full creative freedom. Yes please.

I responded to the wall, where there was a recess and I used this as an anchor point to then flip the design into a new bold colour. I also included some loose mark making which was super enjoyable to paint! I wanted the mural to feel playful and joyful and if I do say so myself... I think I nailed it!

2. The “Trust the Process” Mural

When I scoped this mural for Piccadilly Arcade, I was doubting myself. The height access was questionable.

Like, really questionable.

But this mural on a wall is a perfect example of why you just have to trust the process. And trust yourself. 

This one pushed my skills and forced me to make bold colour decisions. And I am so proud of how it took such a dingy dark entryway to something fun and bright and bold!

Big thanks to the Public Art Fund via Tauranga City Council for making this one possible. 

3. The Wall That Made Me Adapt

Not all walls are created equal.

This mural for Tauranga Crossing came with its own set of challenges, over 100sqm of wall and a one week deadline. 
While I was already painting another mural. 

This one called for a digital design and it was printed on vinyl and installed by the pros at Rutherford Signs.

What I Learned from Painting Murals in 2025

Every mural teaches me something new and this year was no exception.

Here’s what stuck:

• No wall is ever as “simple” as it looks

• Colour always wins

• To back myself and my skills

• And murals are as much about problem-solving as they are about painting

Thinking About a Mural on a Wall of Your Own?

If you’re a cafe, business, school, organisation or just considering a mural on a wall in your own home, here’s the honest truth:

A good mural isn’t just decoration.
It sets a mood and it creates connection.
And it turns a forgettable space into something people actually care about.

If you’ve got a wall that’s begging for colour (or at least a little less beige), I’d love to hear about it.

You can check out more of my mural work here.
Or get in touch if you’re ready to make something fun.