I SAW THE SIDE OF A BUILDING I JUST HAD TO PAINT…”THE HUMAN LADDER”

As I waited at a stoplight at the end of Main Street in Middletown, CT, my eyes landed on a three-story building that seemed like the perfect canvas for a mural. Its location, right at one of the busiest intersections, meant that thousands of people would pass by it every day. I felt that familiar itch to paint something bold and inspiring—something with the “wow” factor.

At the time, I was preparing to paint a large mural live at a home show to promote my business. The live painting always drew a crowd, but it only lasted for the weekend. I wanted something more permanent—something that would stay and resonate with people long after they walked away.

So, sitting in my car, staring at that brick wall, I decided I’d paint a mural right there. Maybe it was a bit ambitious, but I believe in taking risks and “failing forward.” As luck would have it, the building belonged to Eli Cannon’s, a well-loved bar in Middletown. I knew getting approval might be a challenge, but I was thrilled to secure partial approval on my first visit. With that, I set off to create a sketch and bring my vision to life.