Wings of the World - 100 Mural Project!

I am starting a new, life-long, mural project! Remember my series of 100 birds? I thought, what if I did it in murals! The series first started with 10 native Texan birds. Then the 50 state birds. Next, birds from all over the world for a total of 100!

The first location will be McKinney, Texas! Pictured is the mockup/design for the first mural in this series. Painting starts today! It will be located in downtown McKinney's cultural district at:

500 S. Tennessee

McKinney, TX 75069

Choosing the first bird was a difficult task, but there is one little bird that always appeared to me in downtown McKinney. The House Finch! This little bird with it's bright red chest and cheerful song would always be hanging around the downtown shops. I even caught one that got stuck inside one day. I love the symbolism of the word "House" as McKinney is where I got my start as a mural artist and is also where I call home.

I am so excited for the first paint stroke in this life long project!

I need your help to spread joy through 100 murals across the world! This project will be funded through grants and local businesses, and private funding, like you! Your donation will help me purchase paint, brushes, lifts, promotion, educational classes, and cover travel expenses.

Do you have a wall or know someone who would be interested in participating in this project?

I am looking for walls in:

9 Texas cities

The 49 States

41 Locations around the world

Send me an email if you have a lead!

Gift Guide: 10 Books for Artists

These are all wonderful books that can inspire the artist in your life and would make a great Christmas gift!

1. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

2. Keep Going by Austin Kleon

3. Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon

4. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

5. Burnout by Emily Nagaski and Amelia Nagaski

6. Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland

7. The Secret Lives of Colors by Kassia St. Clair

8. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

9. Daring Greatpy by Brene Brown

10. The Arist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Hunter Haney Mural

I just finished my largest mural to date, 80' x 15'! It was even in the McKinney Courier Gazette. You can read the article here. They story behind this mural is bitter sweet.

This mural was inspired by the life of a young man named Hunter Haney. Hunter was a fellow artist, and though I never met him, I feel like I would have really liked him. Hunter suddenly got sick when he was 19 and struggled for two years with a terminal diagnosis. He lost the ability to use his hands, to speak and to make cognitive decisions.

I was first approached by him Mom, Adrian Haney in the summer of 2022. She knew Hunter's life would be ending soon. She wanted to create a memorial mural to celebrate Hunter's life. Adrian showed me photos of Hunter, art that he created, and art he liked and collected. It was through this process I got a sense of who Hunter was.

Now, this mural is a little different from most murals. Normally you would have a wall and a client. For this project I only had the client. We set out to find the right wall in downtown McKinney, an important place to the Haney family. It was a journey, with several ups and downs, until we met Linda Richardson. She is the owner of 201 W. Louisiana St. It was immediately clear that we were the answer to each others prayers. Linda had recently had graffiti on her building and thought how wonderful a mural might be. She saw my post on Facebook for a wall and the rest is history.

After finding the wall I was able to get to work designing the mural. The design includes a couple pieces of Hunter's own artwork, and many symbols that were important to the Haney family. Things like the number "166", Hunter Bear, a DeLorean, Colorado mountains, a record, a vintage camera, a '55 Chevy, and a sunflower. Adrian wanted the mural to be bright and colorful (Not that I could paint anything else!)

Once the design was finished and approved I got to work! With the help of fellow artist Von, my niece Riley, and my friend Felipe I was able to complete this 80' mural in 3 weeks.

It's been eight months since this project was first started, but I can't believe it is done. I am so grateful to have been the artist for Hunter's mural, and for the friendships that I have received in the process. Even though the mural's origin is a sad, I hope it brings happiness and joy to all that see it. That it brighten's people's lives just as it has brightened the alley of Wood & Louisiana St.

With Color & Joy,

Andrea Holmes