Art, Birds, and Big Dreams: My Conversation on the Art Horse Podcast

I recently had the absolute joy of being a guest on the Art Horse podcast—and wow, what a fun and meaningful conversation!

Hosted by the incredible Jess, Art Horse is a show about art and the messy, magical process of creating a life that’s true to who you are. We covered everything from murals and Instagram to scaffolding mishaps and building big, beautiful dreams one brushstroke at a time.

🎙️ What We Talked About

In the episode, we dive into:

• How a spilled bucket of paint at a Starbucks drive-thru led to one of my biggest mural projects

• The story behind my 100 Bird Murals project (I’ve painted 5 so far—including one in Hawaii!)

• My passion for turning blank walls into vibrant landmarks that uplift communities

• How social media—despite its flaws—has helped me connect with clients, collaborators, and new friends (including Jess!)

• What it means to be a creative problem-solver when your art journey doesn’t look like anyone else’s

• And yes—we talk about Art Makes Magic, the book I co-wrote with my fairy art mother Beth Fields, all about building a creative life that actually works for YOU

✨ Favorite Moments

One of my favorite moments was talking about how mural art has the power to shift how people feel in a space—how it can bring color, joy, and even healing to a neighborhood. Art isn’t just decoration. It’s transformation.

We also had a good laugh about what happens when you fall off your metaphorical (and literal) scaffolding—and why it's so important to give yourself grace as a working artist.

🔗 Listen to the Episode

You can listen to the episode here:👉 Art Horse Podcast Episode with Andrea Holmes (update with actual episode link)Or search “Art Horse” wherever you listen to podcasts.

📚 Resources We Mentioned

• Art Makes Magic – The Book

• My Fairy Art Mother Mentorships

• A. Holmes Art Studio – Learn more about my murals or hire me to bring one to your community

💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If something from the episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a message on Instagram @aholmesartstudio or send me an email.

Thank you again to Jess for the generous, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation—and for creating a space where artists can show up as their real, unfiltered selves.

Go give it a listen!

Transforming a Starbucks with Art, Birds, and Storytelling

When the Starbucks Art Program reached out to me about creating artwork for their newest location in downtown McKinney, I felt an immediate connection. As a muralist who celebrates beauty, nature, and community through large-scale public art, this felt like the perfect collaboration.

This project became a series of three unique murals, each one inspired by Texas birds, storytelling, and the idea that art can elevate everyday spaces.

🎨 The Drive-Thru Mural: A Joyful Welcome

The first mural greets customers as they wait in the drive-thru. I chose to feature a Cardinal, Cedar Waxwing, and Blue Jay, three vibrant birds commonly found here in North Texas. Each one has its own energy and symbolism, and together, they bring color, movement, and a sense of curiosity to the side of the building. I wanted this mural to feel like a cheerful hello, even on busy mornings when people are just grabbing coffee and rushing off to start their day.

🌿 The Highway-Facing Wall: Beauty in Motion

On the side of the building that faces the highway, I painted a Yellow-rumped Warbler, perched against a soft wash of color and texture. This mural was designed to be seen from a distance, by drivers, walkers, and cyclists. It’s a reminder to notice beauty even when we’re in motion.

🖼️ The Interior Painting: A Moment of Reflection

The final piece lives inside the store: a 6’x6’ canvas featuring a woman looking upward into a coffee plant, surrounded by three more birds: Painted Bunting, American Goldfinch, and American Robin. These species are known for their color, song, and presence in our backyards, and I paired them with a quote from Henry Van Dyke that I absolutely love:“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

This quote speaks to the heart of my work. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to be the best to be worthy of being seen and heard. Every voice (and every bird) matters.

A Grateful Collaboration

I’m so thankful to the Starbucks Art Program for trusting me to bring this vision to life. They gave me creative freedom, believed in my work, and allowed me to reflect my community through these murals.

If you find yourself in McKinney, stop by for a coffee, a breath of fresh air, and a little joy painted on the walls.

📍 Location:

Downtown McKinney Starbucks, 409 S McDonald St, McKinney, Texas 75069

Thank you for following along and supporting public art. Let’s keep turning blank walls into places of wonder.

Wings of Hurst: A New Mural Celebrating Hope & Good Luck

Check out this news article here

I am thrilled to share my latest mural, Wings of Hurst, located in Hurst, Texas. This piece is part of my 100 Bird Mural Series, Wings Across the World, marking the fourth mural in the collection. Each mural in this series is a tribute to the beauty, symbolism, and significance of birds across cultures and landscapes, and I was honored to bring this vision to life in collaboration with Jeff Brand, the shopping center owner, and Chris Connolly, Executive Director of Economic Development and Tourism.

The Meaning Behind the Mural

This mural features five barn swallows in flight, their wings outstretched against a vibrant, abstract background inspired by the movement of wind and sky. Barn swallows are powerful symbols of hope, new beginnings, loyalty, love, and homecoming. These birds migrate thousands of miles but always return to the same nest each year, making them an enduring representation of faithfulness and the promise of fresh starts. Seeing a swallow is often considered a sign of good luck and prosperity, making them a fitting subject for a mural in a growing and thriving community like Hurst.

A Collaborative Vision

Creating this mural was a true partnership. Jeff Brand’s commitment to enhancing public spaces through art, coupled with Chris Connolly’s dedication to economic development and tourism, made this project possible. Their support and enthusiasm for bringing public art to the community reflect the spirit of Hurst—a place that values connection, culture, and the power of creative expression.

Bringing Art to the Heart of Hurst

The mural is located on the side of Cafe Medi at 420 Grapevine Highway, a central

and bustling location that makes it easily accessible to residents and visitors alike. My hope is that Wings of Hurst not only adds beauty to the space but also serves as a reminder of the resilience, hope, and promise that the barn swallow represents.

As my Wings Across the World project continues, I am excited to bring more murals to communities near and far, connecting people through the universal language of art and nature. If you find yourself in Hurst, I invite you to visit the mural, take a moment to reflect on its meaning, and perhaps even feel a little more hopeful about the journey ahead.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this mural to life, and to the city of Hurst for welcoming this piece into your community. Let’s keep spreading our wings together!

— Andrea Holmes