Mindy Barker Designs

In 1993, I started a one-woman art business that specializes in commissioned murals, faux finishes, trompe l’oeil, custom paintings and original artwork within homes and businesses - mostly around the Northwest, but some as far away as Oregon, California, Arizona, and Hawaii. Most recently, though, I have shifted my focus solely on designing and painting large-scale exterior-building murals, commissioned original paintings and illustrations, printed mural wallpaper, and hand-painted murals on canvas which can be applied like wallpaper. Everything I do is hand-created. Please see my online portfolio here: mindybarker.com In 2013, I ventured into exterior mural projects, designing for the public realm. The theme from the beginning was and remains Interventions of Urban Spaces: beautifying urban locations by designing murals specific to location. It is my belief that public art projects inspire positive involvement of citizens, instill city pride, and promote active neighborhood stewardship. One such project was a 29’ X 46’ mural commissioned by the Tacoma Mural Projects in 2014, located at 17th and Tacoma Avenue. See the mural here. I gathered extensive feedback from the community surrounding the site, completed research about the history of the neighborhood, and documented impressions about its future. I presented a completed custom design to the city, to the building owners, and to the community to get approval. In the end, as with all of my projects, the community thanked me for helping to reinvigorate the neighborhood by infusing it with a captivating story - brought to life through images, design, composition, and context.