New Mural at Peabody Union: A Celebration of Joy in Bloom

This month, I had the incredible opportunity to create my first public mural in downtown Nashville and what an experience it was. Installed at the beautiful Peabody Union, this mural was imagined and brought to life entirely freehand. No projector. No stencils. Just a head full of color and a heart full of joy.

When I first stood in front of the long, black wall panels beneath the wooden overhang, I felt an almost electric energy. I didn’t want this piece to feel static or overly designed. I wanted it to feel alive, spontaneous, and full of movement. So I picked up my brushes and just started. I let intuition lead the way, trusting that the shapes and colors would find their rhythm.

One unexpected source of inspiration? The grass directly in front of my wall. I kept noticing the way it gently rose and framed the mural area. That simple detail sparked an idea: what if the mural emerged as if joy itself were peeking through the blades? That became the heart of the piece - a field of vibrant forms rising upward in waves of playful color, like happiness bubbling up from the earth.

The lines dance. The hearts float. The colors pop. And through it all, the spirit of the work is meant to reflect joy that grows wildly, without containment. Like laughter shared with a stranger or sunshine spilling through trees, it’s a feeling that sneaks up and lifts you unexpectedly.

As I painted, people walking by would stop to watch, comment, and even share how it brightened their day. Those moments meant everything to me. Art is such a generous medium - it lives and breathes when people engage with it. And it’s an honor to contribute something bright and joyful to the fabric of downtown Nashville.

If you're ever in the city, I hope you’ll stop by Peabody Union to see it in person. Stand back, take it in, and maybe—just maybe—feel something colorful blooming inside you, too.

With love,
Vicky