- 10 THINGS YOU FORGOT TO PACK IN YOUR MURAL BAG
After painting hundreds of murals, I have really refined what I pack for a mural. When I first started out, I only packed the bare minimum: paint, brushes and a canvas drop cloth… but now I have a full kit with all the supplies a muralist can dream of. I want to share 10 items you might not have thought to pack that make ALL of the difference to be comfortable and well equip when on the job!
Sunscreen - it’s so easy to forget so I actually keep a few in my kit, getting sunburnt on a job is way too easy and annoying.
Water Wipes - a secret weapon for fast clean up, especially on those smooth surfaces.
3. Vitamins - it’s easy for your first few traveling murals to feel like a road trip, but you’re there to work - so keep your routine and pack your vitamins to stay at your optimal health.
4. A Quart of Ultra White - you won’t regret bringing white, when you need to mix a color, use it for touch ups or change the tint of a color that doesn’t quite look like the swatch you chose…
5. Paper Towels - might feel self explanatory but I end up using paper towels for SO MUCH on a job. They are most helpful when washing brushes, or to catch a quick drip before going in with a water wipe.
6. Cups to Mix Paint - When you go to mix colors, you’ll want a cup they are cheap, easy and disposable I used to buy the small hand held trays at Lowes but a small cup will do the trick. I try to reuse cups from my travels (coffee cups, water cups etc) but you can also cut a water bottle in half, keep the lid screwed on and bam you have 2 cups. I also love a small cup of paint when climbing up high on a ladder, pro tip put it in the front pack of your overalls so you can climb the ladder properly…
7. A Small Pad For Your Knees - Pregnancy finally got me around to this, to be exact I was gifted one by Sam, and wow I regret not using a comfy pad to kneel or sit on when painting on a hard surface. You can also roll up a yoga mat you already have at home. I hear knee pads can be bulky and uncomfortable, but you can give this a try too!
8. Your Journal - It’s so important to stay grounded and take care of your mind when on the job, in PAINT YOUR DREAM LIFE - I have a ton of journal prompts to get your creative juices flowing!
9. Ear Plugs - An underrated necessity whether the neighbors dog is barking all night, you have a noisy hotel guest next door or there is loud construction happening when you’re on site you will be grateful you brought your ear plugs…
10. White + Color Chalk - there’s been a time or 2 that I open my kit to trace out my mural on a white wall and I only have white chalk, so make sure to bring colored chalk too! If you are painting on a darker, or wall with color then you can use the white! P.s. use the lightest touch you want to be able to go over your chalk lines, and put your tape lip up before chalking out your design… don’t ask just do it.