KENDALLS KINDNESS
Blue Eyes and Butterflies
ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS
Selected through the St. Charles Arts Council, this mural was created in partnership with Kendall’s Kindness and the building owners at Fox Build and Smitty’s on the Corner.
The project required balancing multiple perspectives — honoring the mission of Kendall’s Kindness while also aligning with the vision of the building owner and the architectural character of the space.
Blue Eyes and Butterflies was designed to feel both meaningful and uplifting, using color, movement, and symbolism to create a piece that resonates with the community while remaining grounded in its setting.
PROJECT SCOPE
Concept development and design submission through public call
Collaboration with Kendall’s Kindness foundation and property owners
Site-specific mural design tailored to historic brick architecture
Full exterior mural execution using acrylic and latex paint
Integration of design with surrounding building features and streetscape
After presenting three concepts, I developed Eyes of the Prairie — a design intended to feel connected to both the landscape and the building itself.
Working on historic brick comes with its own challenges. The surface is uneven, porous, and constantly influencing how paint behaves. Scale was the biggest consideration — ensuring the design translated accurately across the full wall without losing detail or proportion.
To solve for this, I used VR technology to map the artwork onto the building before painting, allowing for precision and confidence during execution.
The mural was created primarily using spray paint for coverage and movement, with acrylic layered in for detail and depth. Throughout the process, I moved between tools and techniques — responding to the surface, the weather, and the rhythm of the work itself.
This project was completed close to home, which made the experience especially meaningful.
IMPACT
The mural serves as both a visual landmark and a message of kindness within the community.
Its presence transforms the building into a point of connection — drawing people in, creating moments of pause, and offering something meaningful within the everyday rhythm of the street.
By bringing together multiple stakeholders and perspectives, the final piece reflects a shared vision — one that continues to resonate with those who experience it.
Because when art is rooted in both purpose and place, it becomes part of the community it lives in.
Art that brings people together, let’s create yours.
If you are designing community environments, healthcare spaces, or places where people gather and heal, I would love to collaborate.