S2 Eps 4 Millie Pidwell Explains How To Build A Mural Business That Pays

We sit down with Tauranga muralist Millie Pidwell https://muralsbymillie.com/ to unpack how she turns blank walls into bright, nature inspired stories and how that work becomes a real business. 

We get honest about pricing, process, mistakes, and the support it takes to keep creating when you’ve got deadlines, weather and real life in the mix.

 
• Portrait parties as a fun way to build community and creativity 
• What “muralist” means and how it differs from graffiti 
• The shift from corporate work to full-time mural painting after becoming a mum 
• Building consistency by booking ahead and managing multiple projects at once 
• The mural workflow from wall photos and measurements to site visit and design brief 
• Collaborative design revisions and keeping creative control through a clear brief 
• Pricing per square metre and the factors that change a quote 
• Setting boundaries with clients and knowing when to walk away  
• Balancing word of mouth with Instagram to stay top of mind 
• Using VR and tech to scale designs faster and paint in daylight 

Share it. Talk about it, better yet, take action. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about waiting for permission. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and making something that matters. Thanks for being here. Now go build, create, and keep pushing forward. 

Transcript

Welcome And Meet Millie

SPEAKER_01 0:00

The Bolton Ink effect.

SPEAKER_03 0:02

Today I'm joined by Millie Pidwill. Who is Millie Pidwill? Well, she transforms your space with hand-painted murals that elevate your space and leaves a lasting impression. So she is a full-time muralist passionate about turning blank walls into meaningful, uplifting, and nature-inspired art. She works with businesses, communities, and individuals who want more than just a decoration. They want walls that tell a story, stop people in their tracks, and bring a space to life. Whether it's a bold statement piece, an inviting storefront, or a photo-worthy backdrop, she designs murals that reflect their vision while connecting with the people who experience them. With a background in the arts as a gallery creator and event manager, Millie brings both creative vision and professionalism to every project. Since 2023, after the birth of her third son, she's dedicated herself to mural painting, combining her love for art, nature, and storytelling on every wall. Each mural is personalized, thoughtfully designed, and hand painted to ensure it feels true to you and your space. Millie's goal? Hello folks, and welcome back to the Bolton Ink Effect Podcast. I must say it's been a while in the making, but I'm very honored and very privileged and very happy to have my first solo guest on the podcast, and none other than Millie Pidwell, who is a muralist right here in Todonga. And she's amazing. She's absolutely amazing. So welcome, Millie.

SPEAKER_00 1:52

Thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_03 1:53

It's so cool to finally have you in the studio.

SPEAKER_00 1:55

I know.

SPEAKER_03 1:56

And uh spend some time with me. So thank you very much for your time. And um, the first question that I've actually got for you after going through your extensive

Portrait Parties And Creative Fun

SPEAKER_03 2:05

websites and what you do, and we'll get into what you do and how you do it, and all things like that. The first thing that I have to ask you is please tell me about portrait parties and what they are because they look like a hell of a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_00 2:17

They are so much fun. Uh, the portrait parties started because one of my best friends was getting married, and she wanted something that was going to be really lighthearted, really fun, and just something with friends. And I, as a creative, I love being with communities, I love being with friends and just having a really good time. So I said, why don't we do a it's like an art class, and you know, I set it up, I made some easels, bought the canvases, and we just had the best time. I couldn't believe how much fun it was. And they all said to me on the night, you need to deliver this to more people.

SPEAKER_01 3:02

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 3:02

And I was like, okay, and it was just one of those things that I put out to the world. I put it on my social media, and I said, Does anyone want a portrait party? And I just I named it, and um, someone came back to me and said, Absolutely, we want to do this for their friends' hens do. So I did another one and then it just kind of snowballed, and now it's So what is what what do people do?

SPEAKER_03 3:29

I mean, basically you don't need to be an artist or anything like that. You just literally have a portrait party. You you rock up with a picture, or do you paint someone, or how does it what does it look like?

SPEAKER_00 3:38

So I come to you. So I've all I've said that you know I can come to wherever your event is happening. I bring everything that is needed to just have a really good time. Um, the first one I did, we printed out the groom's photo. So I don't know if you've seen online there's those really great reels where the husband and wife paint each other, and usually the wife has this phenomenal painting of the husband, and then they turn it around and and the husband is a lot the reactions, though. Um so it kind of was inspired by that, and so everyone painted the groom

Murals Versus Graffiti Explained

SPEAKER_00 4:20

to be, and um and then revealed at the end, and just the laughter, and I think we need more of that in our lives.

SPEAKER_03 4:28

We certainly do, we certainly do. And I mean, how how we met is obviously through your through your social media, but it was actually an event that we went to um that's held locally here by Creative Plenty, where we just had a cup of coffee and I was brave enough, or you were brave enough, and we just like started talking. And and you were doing at the time you were doing a mural just up the road here for a school. And I said, Well, would it be okay if I came and you know took some photographs or or filmed you with the drone? And I was I did it for more than one reason. One, I love what you do and the ability that you have to transform a space.

SPEAKER_00 5:10

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 5:11

And at the time I didn't know the depth to what that goes to or what that even looks like, and we'll get it, we'll get into that. But then we started we started chatting, and I was just like, I can't believe how how positive and and vibrant and energetic you are when it comes to just transforming a space. And that doesn't come lighthearted. I mean that as a genuine compliment, and you you you definitely have a magnetic way of of wanting people to be around you. I wanted to be around that energy, which was which was fantastic. So that's how we first met, and then I thought I've got to find out more about you. So I had to I went and I went to Wikipedia actually, or I found out what a mural actually means because I wanted to find out what the difference between a muralist and a graffiti artist was. Because you're not a graffiti artist, but maybe you can explain the difference of what that actually is for for the audience, because you see these, you see graffiti all over the place, and then you see murals, which the definition of a mural is any piece of art or anything that is actually put directly onto the wall or a surface versus graffiti is like we're using spray cans. So, how do you define the difference? And and and you define yourself as a muralist, and what does that actually mean for you?

SPEAKER_00 6:28

For me, yes, painting straight onto walls. Um, but it also I'm I sometimes am using other surfaces such as um a material called ACM, which is basically a material that can be put onto walls and then um, you know, painted straight onto that so that that can then be moved at another date. So I think it's large-scale art and I paint everything by hand, so it's all um using acrylic and with brushes. So I actually don't use spray cans at all. No, but some mural artists do, and they're phenomenal.

SPEAKER_03 7:04

I get it. So it's not necessarily not restricted, you you can't be a muralist and use spray spray can. There's no there's no defining line.

SPEAKER_00 7:12

No, no, I don't think so.

SPEAKER_03 7:14

All right.

SPEAKER_00 7:14

Um but yeah, large-scale art, yeah, you know, and for multiple surfaces, spaces, people, it's for everyone. Yeah, it's it's incredible.

SPEAKER_03 7:24

And I and I implore you, and I'll leave this in the show notes, I implore you folks, to please go and look at Millie's work on her website. It's there, it's just incredible what what she's actually done. Millie, one of the things that I have to ask you is, I mean, the murals are impressive. What what attracted you to become a muralist? What if you go back to that first moment where you actually put yourself out there and thought, yeah, this is what I

From Corporate To Full-Time Artist

SPEAKER_03 7:50

want to do? I mean, how did that journey, what does that journey look like?

SPEAKER_00 7:53

It I mean, it can go right back to when I was a kid. Hey, we got time. Yeah, that's um so I have always been, in my family, I've always been encouraged to be creative and to follow my dreams and be passionate. So my mum was the art teacher at the high school. So she was always setting up still lives for me, and I was always sketching at home. I just loved it. My dad is a singer-songwriter and an entrepreneur. Okay, so it's in the family. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 8:24

It's in the family.

SPEAKER_00 8:25

My stepmum's uh a drama teacher, and my stepdad is a poet and a writer. So honestly, I grew up in a very creative environment, and I so I've always been an artist, but the real moment that murals became the thing is when I had my son Felix, I knew that I wanted to leave the corporate world and move into something that was for me, something that was really creative. And I had painted a couple of murals before. Um, one of them was the Wings to Fly mural on the Strand with my friend Tara, and that was over 10 years ago. So I knew that I loved painting large scale. I loved the impact, I loved the community, I loved that it's for everyone, um, and the challenges that come with that painting a mural. Um, there's a lot of project management involved, and I've got experience in the corporate world of being a project manager and an event manager. So everything just kind of came together as this aha moment.

SPEAKER_02 9:37

So that was the moment.

SPEAKER_00 9:38

That was like, I'm gonna really give this a shot. Um, but I will say that when I first launched my business, I launched as an event mural business.

SPEAKER_03 9:50

Gotcha. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:52

So I had this idea because I'd been married and I'd been to a lot of corporate events. I had this idea that there was an opportunity to create large-scale um photo moments for people at these events. So I painted three murals on plywood in my shed and kind of launched as event murals by Millie with the idea that they would be hired out to people. Um and I did really believe in the idea, but my husband Zane was doing a lot of the work. He was transporting them, setting them up, and I wanted this business to be for me.

unknown 10:36

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 10:37

I wanted it to be um, you know, creatively mine, even though Zane is still hugely involved, so invaluable in the business. I wanted it to be mine. And so the moment there where that shift happened was when my friend Ashley had been looking for someone to paint a mural in her master bedroom, and she said to me, I haven't found anyone, I've been looking for a year. Will you do it for me? And I was like, Yes.

SPEAKER_01 11:06

Yeah, okay.

SPEAKER_00 11:07

So many things have happened just because I've said yes, you know, and I painted it, I loved doing it. I loved painting in this residential space, and a lot of my work now is residential, and she paid me double what I was hiring one of those you know, event murals out for, and I just went, no, I am going all in on custom hand-painted murals and changed from event murals by Millie to all in on events. Just murals by Millie.

SPEAKER_03 11:40

I've got I've got a couple of questions. There's so many questions coming to mind, but yeah. That transition from corporate to taking the leap of working you know for yourself or wanting to work for yourself, was that an easy transition? Was that difficult? How I mean it it's different for everyone, but how did that how did that work? How did that look?

SPEAKER_00 12:00

Um I had been working in a marketing agency for six years, um, Tuscany Agency, and it was amazing. I learned so much being in that space and with the people in the office. Um and so I don't think I could be where I am without that experience for one. Um but I was ready to I was just ready to be an artist.

SPEAKER_01 12:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:29

I've always wanted to. And so actually transitioning into it, I wouldn't, I would be lying if I said that having Zane's um, you know, reliable income didn't play a huge part.

SPEAKER_03 12:44

I'm I appreciate I appreciate you I appreciate you saying that because I think a lot of the time, you know, we hear all the time, follow your passion, um, work on your side hustle or do what you love. But sometimes it can't happen because there needs to be some sort of fund come funds coming in in order in order for you to live. So I appreciate you saying that that there was like a sort of a buffer allowing you to know that okay, cool, I can I can change lanes and do something that I wanted to do. But you also knew, I assume this, but you had to make it work.

SPEAKER_00 13:15

Had to make it work. Especially, you know, I had my third child on the way and we had a mortgage, and um so I had a big, big drive in me to make it work, and just um I I don't think it would have been as successful as it being so quickly without going all in on it though, you know, it's like I really had to give it my all and give it that time.

SPEAKER_03 13:42

Okay. So I want to go back to your parents just for a moment because and the creative push or the creative environmental container that was set up for you to be able to follow your creative side. Personally, Millie, I believe everybody is creative. We're born creative.

SPEAKER_01 14:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 14:02

Okay. So if someone comes to me, whether they're analytical or a lawyer or that kind of book, I still say they are creative beings. Absolutely. Just because they work with numbers doesn't mean they're not creative. However, the ability to be able to pursue that creativity or understand what that looks like, whether it's painting or sketching or podcasting or filmmaking or photography, whatever that looks like. How do you feel about having kids now and having not being pushed into creative but being nurtured, being held, saying follow those passions, follow those skills, follow that, and now having kids and also and also um transferring that onto your kids versus other families that like you can't go into the creative. You need to do something more analytical to make sure that you are, you know, that you look after the future.

SPEAKER_00 14:52

I so agree with that. I I think being creative is in everything we do, it's baking cookies for your family or making, you know, making dinner and displaying it in a certain way, it's in what we wear, it's it's all expression, you know, and I I really I really do believe that. Um, you know, looking at my parents, like and the different ways that they are creative, or my brother who's had a food truck business, my other brother who's a DJ, you know, it's like it's just come through in my whole family in so many different ways. So yeah, I'm so grateful for my upbringing, and I'm so grateful um for that encouragement and continued encouragement, you know.

SPEAKER_03 15:41

It's like yes, ongoing.

SPEAKER_00 15:43

It's ongoing.

SPEAKER_03 15:44

Do you still I mean, do you still lean on your parents? I mean, do you still get the energy that you need or the in the inspiration you need from your folks?

SPEAKER_00 15:54

Yeah, definitely. They always want to know what I'm up to. It's getting harder and harder for them to follow what I'm up to. Like what are you working on at the moment? Okay, um, but yeah, always encouraged and and I do hope that I can encourage or inspire my kids to follow their dreams, whatever that is. Sure, sure. So yeah, absolutely. I hope that that gets passed down.

SPEAKER_03 16:17

What is what does it mean to have like a

Support Networks And Creative Community

SPEAKER_03 16:20

support group around you? I mean, sometimes what you this is an assumption, so you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I mean the work that you do can take days, weeks in the planning, and we'll get into the process of it in a second. But how important is it to have a support structure around you or friends that that help you along the way? Because I'm sure not every day is 100% go, go, go.

SPEAKER_00 16:43

There are days we're like, oh, I love this question because I love my support networks so much. Yeah, and what does that look like?

SPEAKER_03 16:51

And and how important is it to you?

SPEAKER_00 16:53

It's everything.

SPEAKER_03 16:54

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 16:55

Uh my friends have been through the whole journey with me, for one, and so many of them are women who have kids who are running purpose-led businesses, which was your term, which I love. And so we're always talking and we're always sharing ideas, collaborating, um, you know, and so that's that's huge, especially when you're an artist, and sometimes it is a solo 100%. Um, you know, it's a solo job. So it's great to be able to share knowledge. And sometimes I do miss being in a team environment, but I get to to do that and share ideas with my friends and my family, and you know, my my mums, and I say mums because I have my mum, stepmum, and my mother-in-law, they're always looking after my kids when I'm working, and so the support is massive. And I will also speak to the artist community, especially here in Totonga. It's been amazing how open and honest and just so giving that people have been with their time and their knowledge and just um being able to reach out, especially when you're starting out. So I I do hope that I can be there for other artists.

SPEAKER_03 18:15

Well, I'm gonna lean I'm gonna lean into that because it it's it goes back to that um that situation or the or the question that I asked you earlier. It's like when you made the transition from corporate into doing something yourself and you had the event business, and then you knew that you wanted to do the residential and they paid you double, and you were like, Okay, cool, I've got something here. Was there a moment where you was where you thought I'm being I don't feel like I deserve to be paid for this because I enjoy it too much? Or was it it was it was it a case of going, right, I know I can make this work now, and you were able to balance the fact that there was value given to a client, and I'm using corporate speak here, I don't, but there was enough value to say there's the transaction. Yeah, because I think a lot of people, again, it's another assumption, they'll walk past a finished mural, okay, and they'll see the result, yeah, not necessarily the process, and they'll go, oh wow, that's pretty cool, and have the emotional reaction to that. But if you rewind the clock, there's a whole production line that's that that's that happened to that point. So two parts of that question. One, you've got a successful business. How when did you know that you've actually made it? Like, yes, I can do this, and you have a successful business, doing what you love. And then two, let's just talk a little bit about the process, um, when it what goes into starting painting and then finishing a mural.

SPEAKER_00 19:38

Okay, so firstly, I think knowing that I had something strong with murals by Millie came from consistency.

SPEAKER_03 19:48

So love that word.

SPEAKER_00 19:50

So knowing that actually this isn't just in two weeks' time I've got a job. Um, I like to kind of line things up three months ahead or you know, anything like that.

SPEAKER_03 20:01

So that's valuable advice.

SPEAKER_00 20:03

It is. I think it it gives you a feeling of security.

SPEAKER_03 20:06

So how do you how did you go about doing that? Was that it was that taking forward bookings or putting it out there, knowing that you can it takes and I'm you can help along here, but it takes a mural. Let's say take it takes a mural takes three days, knowing, okay, cool, I can do a mural then and I can do one, but I want I want six ahead.

SPEAKER_00 20:22

I'm never just working on one mural. I think that's one one part to the Right, okay, cool. So I I might be painting a mural, but I'm also taking a lunch break and answering emails about a mural that's happening in a month's time, or I'm going home and late at night after the kids are in bed, I'm designing for the mural that's coming up next month. So I think that's a big thing to take into account, is that's what makes it a full-time job. It's um it's just constant looking ahead and it's project planning, and and that's why I say so much of what I've done in in my past and my career has informed what I'm doing now, and I value it so much.

SPEAKER_03 21:05

It's a good foundation to run a business.

SPEAKER_00 21:07

100%. It's an art business, it's not just being an artist.

SPEAKER_03 21:10

Well, that's you see, that's that's something that I'm still struggling with. Is is and I love the way that you say that that it's an art business. It's not just an art hobby. No, it's a business. And that's something that I've struggled with with um, you know, as being a a filmmaker and a photographer. It's like I need to turn it into a business. But I never taught I was never taught that, or I never was never interested in that aspect. So that's something that I'm leaning into now, hence the podcast, and hence you know, doing everything that I can to actually build a business, but a consistent business.

SPEAKER_00 21:41

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 21:42

Which is key. Because otherwise, that's nothing. Otherwise, I'm just a freelancer going from paycheck to paycheck, which is kind of how I feel at the moment. But be that as it may. Take me through the process. I mean, you've done there's there's loads of work. I mean, I'm sure folks, if you're in and around Toronto, you would have seen some of Millie's brilliant work. There obviously highlights. There's obviously not highlights, but some of the some of the bigger

The Mural Brief To Paint Process

SPEAKER_03 22:05

ones that you've done. Just take us through a process of like what it takes to actually put a mural together, please.

SPEAKER_00 22:10

I'm going to give an example of a school because I love working for schools. So I would say the first step is reaching out. And I always ask for a photo of the wall and measurements of the wall.

SPEAKER_03 22:26

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 22:27

And part of that, and that's the same for people with um homes who are asking for mural pricing. Part of what asking for that quote that that photo and that measurement is that it's asking the client to do something first. It's getting them to do a little bit of work so that I know that they're committed to me then going to the effort to I love that. Going to the effort to putting that quote together, because that does take time.

SPEAKER_03 22:56

It does. It does.

SPEAKER_00 22:58

Yeah. And and so that is something that I always start with. And then once I've given a price and they want to go ahead, I'll do a site visit. And I do that for all my murals. I just think it's so valuable to meet in person, see the space in person. And then we talk about the design brief.

SPEAKER_03 23:21

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 23:22

So I like to say that the design brief is actually a huge part of the process because we need to nail down, you know, if it is the school, the school's values, whether there's colours in their branding, what's the history, what's the the land importance, do we need to speak with Manafenua? All of these different factors that inform what that brief is going to be. And then I take that brief and design the mural. How I work is hugely collaborative. I am always painting custom artwork. So I need that brief to be really strong to then make sure that I'm representing the school or whoever's getting their mural accurately. And yeah, then there's always a bit of back and forth with changes, and I want that so that we get on the same page, and then we have sign off before I come and paint.

SPEAKER_03 24:16

How much flexibility do you have within those murals? Because obviously they are hiring you for your ability to you have a specific style.

SPEAKER_00 24:25

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 24:26

How much flexibility have you got within that information that you're receiving from the client?

SPEAKER_00 24:31

I always feel like I've got lots of creative control because, like you say, they are coming to me for my style, and I usually ask someone if there's a certain mural that I've painted that they like in particular. That's that's really helpful because that tells me the kind of um look and feel that they're going for. So yeah, every single mural is different, and the the variation comes from the client and the space and where we are. If it's someone's home, we look at the colours in the home or the artwork that's already on the walls. So there's just so much that can make it different.

SPEAKER_03 25:15

It really is, it's very deep. And I forgot to ask because I know what your work looks like.

SPEAKER_00 25:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 25:20

Please describe your style for the audience out there, for someone who's never heard this before. I mean, I know your work and I've seen it, and I and it's beautiful and it's bold and it's nature-inspired and bird-inspired, and the paintings are just incredible with the Tui bird, and it's it's incredible. But how dupe would you describe your style and what do you enjoy painting?

SPEAKER_00 25:39

I think you've just done a really good job of explaining what it is.

SPEAKER_03 25:43

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 25:44

Um so definitely I'm more and more painting very vibrant works of art. I think I'm leaning more into the joy. So I'm I'm not necessarily making a huge statement that's controversial or anything with my art, and that's something that I've had to um embrace because so many artists are, you know, doing that and I admire it. I think what I am saying in my art is here's something that we can smile at, or here's something that we can speak to the story of the school, or the story of where the mural's placed, um, and create personality. So it's it's just yeah, it's it's a form of expression, and I think that what I can do for people is it's almost like helping people to express themselves in a way.

SPEAKER_03 26:44

So Yeah, I I love that because your style is obviously um been honed and worked on over the past three years. Um, and I love what you say about transforming a space and as as an extension of who they are, but it has a very distinct signature.

SPEAKER_00 27:04

I do paint a lot of flora and fauna, inspired by Auti Oa's flora and fauna. And a lot of my work is very painterly, so when I say painterly, I mean you can see the brush strokes, you can see the gradients, which is you know moving from dark to light. It's it's not always perfect, but I I like that about it. I think it looks human and hand painted, and and that's something that I'm leaning into.

SPEAKER_03 27:34

It's quite it's quite surreal when you look at it because every time you look at it, there's something else to look at.

unknown 27:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 27:39

And I appreciate I appreciate that. But the beauty of it extending, it's it never takes away from the surroundings, it adds to the surroundings. So if you didn't know it was there and you walk past it, obviously you're gonna notice it. But it it flows from the land into the wall. So it look it's an extension of what is, as you so rightly said, from the fan or from whatever that surrounding is, it's it adds to it, doesn't subtract from, which I love.

SPEAKER_00 28:05

I love that too, and that's something that I often ask people do you want this mural to be a bold statement piece, or do you want it to be tranquil and in flow with your surroundings?

Pricing Your Work And Walking Away

SPEAKER_00 28:20

So that's that those are two very different approaches, and that will help me in the design process.

SPEAKER_03 28:26

Just touching on just on the business side of things again, when it comes to pricing, how does how does that look for you? And how did you get to the point where you where you kind of fixed on your on on what your value is and what your worth is? Because I think a lot of people struggle with that, of like, how do I actually price my work?

SPEAKER_00 28:44

It's so difficult. And I did struggle for a long time because there's that mindset of I just it's a scarcity mindset. Sure. If I don't quote low, then I might not get the job. Um but as you get more and more confident in the more and more work you do and the portfolio you build, you know, people should be really proud of their work and and show that in how they price it. And I've I've come to a point where I I've needed to be more clear in how I'm pricing my murals because it's always the first question that people ask. So I price per square meter, and that is between $160 and $280 a square meter.

SPEAKER_01 29:31

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_00 29:32

And there's so many factors that play into that. So is it an interior or exterior wall? Do we need working height equipment? Um I do, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 29:42

So there's there's the it that's the base where we start.

SPEAKER_00 29:45

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 29:46

And then from there we we look at the environmental factors and what else is needed.

SPEAKER_00 29:49

And I always have a conversation with people, and and if that doesn't work for them, then we can we can talk. I'm a very open book like that. But yeah, it's just nice to have something to bounce from.

SPEAKER_03 30:02

What happens in in the case of like when you get to that point and you get get to a client that just won't budge or or wants to work and doesn't, when do you step away as the artist?

SPEAKER_00 30:14

I have only stepped away from one job.

SPEAKER_03 30:16

Right. Yes, okay.

SPEAKER_00 30:19

And that was that was because I had done a few different design variations and we still hadn't come to an agreement, and it it was getting a bit sticky like that, and also I came to a point where I realized that I was no longer being paid for my time in the design process because it was going more and beyond. There was more and more time involved, and so the client wasn't prepared to pay that additional cost, and so I said maybe it's best that you find another artist respectably, because if we're not finding a way forward with the design, then I'm not your person, you know, and that's absolutely fine. Hard listen to learn, but hard listen, and that was scary because I was sort of in the beginning and wanting to take on everything and everything. Yeah, I understand that. I understand that. Yeah, but I think it's okay to walk away because also you you attract what you create. Do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_03 31:23

So let's do it let's talk about that because you definitely do. I mean, there's a certain energy about you, there's a certain client that you want to work with, which you've mentioned before. And so I'm gonna move on to like the social side now, but more so than that, do you find that well, first of all, you have an amazing social presence. You have a website and you're very active on social media, specifically Instagram where I follow you. Um word of mouth, just as much? Or not even more? I'm finding a lot of the times just a lot of word of mouth that gets the work rather than the social side. I'm not as great on the social side.

SPEAKER_00 32:00

Um I think it's a real mix of of word of mouth and social media. I think the value of social media, a lot of the time for me anyway, comes from just being top of mind. So it it might not exist.

SPEAKER_03 32:16

But it's a necessary evil.

SPEAKER_00 32:17

Oh, it just it might not necessarily you might not just post something and it directly results in a job, but you might post something and then post something and post something, and that and someone's followed your work, and even a year later they oh, I've had someone recently who said, I've been following you for two years, and now's the time I want to hit go on a mural.

SPEAKER_03 32:41

That's amazing. That's the question.

SPEAKER_00 32:45

And you might not feel like post it and but also keep it fun. Right back at the start when I started the business and social media was it's you know, it can get it can get to you a bit because you don't want it to be a validation tool. You can't do it.

SPEAKER_03 33:02

No, absolutely, but but you've the consistency piece there speaks volumes about a client coming to you after saying, I followed for two years and we're ready now.

SPEAKER_00 33:11

And that's what keeps me going with it, because it's that commun it's like it's such a wonderful community. People follow you for a reason, they want to be part of it, part of it, and they want to see what you're doing, and and every comment and every engagement I get I see because I love

A Brutal Mistake And What It Taught

SPEAKER_00 33:30

it, you know, it makes sense.

SPEAKER_03 33:31

And you answer back, which I love as well.

SPEAKER_00 33:33

So always, always it's great, it's great.

SPEAKER_03 33:36

Okay, so we mentioned earlier, just before we started the podcast, I said to you a favorite failure of yours. What has been, because it can't all be hunky-dory and above board. So has there been a failure that is a favorite failure that you've actually cut back from and learned from that's taught you a lesson in your in your life?

SPEAKER_00 33:56

I think everyone has had failures in business. Absolutely. One that immediately comes to mind, and I'm very transparent about, is again, I think it was my third mural as murals by Millie. It was an exterior mural, and it was at a client's home, it was on brick, and I finished the mural, and they were so happy, and I was happy, it was like this celebration, and um I clear coated it, and I did not read the instructions properly, and this clear coat within an hour went cloudy white. The whole mural had to be stripped and redone, which I did, sure, absolutely, but the gut-wrenching moment of realizing that, and honestly, the lesson in that is just take your time and follow instruct, especially when it comes to products, and you know, I know mural artists who have had uh bubbling on the mural and then it's or it's peeled off or things like that. So when it comes to working on a surface, especially if it's exterior, just check everything. Prep properly. Okay. There are there are amazing experts out there who know what products to use and can consult on it. And so I always take my time and I'm very cautious with graffiti shield now. But yeah, that's that was a lesson learned.

SPEAKER_03 35:40

That was a that's a tough lesson to learn. But the client obviously was happy in the end because you redid it.

SPEAKER_00 35:45

Absolutely. And they were still h they were so lovely.

SPEAKER_03 35:48

So do you get to a point? That's an interesting question with the different uh, you know, if somebody wants a mural on an external surface, is it up to them to prep the wall 100% before you actually start painting on it, or or is that your job? It depends.

SPEAKER_00 36:04

It depends. It's that's part of that conversation. Alright, cool. The basically the more prep that people do, the less expensive it's going to be for the mural. So um often if it's an exterior wall, I'll ask for it to be water blasted.

SPEAKER_01 36:19

Yep.

SPEAKER_00 36:19

And um sometimes people even undercoat it as well, but if they don't want to, I'll I'll just okay.

SPEAKER_03 36:26

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career as a muralist or even as a graffiti artist, or someone is doing large-scale works of art outdoors?

SPEAKER_00 36:37

Specifically going into mural, being a mural artist. Yeah, because more and more people are pursuing it, which is amazing. And I what I follow a lot of people in the US who and that's a big point, there are so many people doing it and paving the way that you know, follow them. I followed so many incredible mural artists when I started out. I did my research, I got inspired, I asked questions, and any favorites off the top of your head that you actually do follow, please? Yeah, one is Chara Creative.

SPEAKER_03 37:12

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 37:13

She comes to mind because I love her work. I love how she presents on social media.

SPEAKER_01 37:20

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 37:20

And she's just become a mum. I it's one of those things you feel like you know someone when actually I just follow her on social media. Okay. But they're yeah, they're amazing artists, and yeah, and just go for it. You have if you have a passion and you believe in what you do, and give it give it a go.

SPEAKER_03 37:40

Yeah, give it a go. I love that. Just give it a go.

SPEAKER_00 37:43

The the wings mural I painted over 10 years ago now, that was so Tara was working, she's a graphic she's a graphic designer, and she was working at downtown Tottenham and Tuscany Agency, and and they wanted a mural on that block there.

SPEAKER_03 38:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:04

And Tara knew that I was an artist and she asked me to to paint it, and I said no.

SPEAKER_03 38:10

Of course you did.

SPEAKER_00 38:11

There's no way painting in public a large wall like that. Um, and she said, Are you sh are you sure? And I said, Well, I'll do it if you help me. And we made it this really fun experience.

SPEAKER_03 38:23

So it is on the website, folks, so go and check it out. It is on the website that you'll see it. You're gonna miss it.

SPEAKER_00 38:28

A lot of people have taken photos with that mural.

SPEAKER_03 38:30

They would have.

SPEAKER_00 38:31

Yeah. So and and I did it and loved it, and that was what gave me that you know feeling of loving to a large scale.

SPEAKER_03 38:42

Yeah, I can do this.

SPEAKER_00 38:43

Yeah, and I could always come back to it. And it was interactive, so it was engaging and engaged the public.

SPEAKER_03 38:50

Millie, what can people look forward to in the near future? What does Millie

Next Projects And Working In Weather

SPEAKER_03 38:55

have up her sleeve? Is there anything that we should know about or look forward to?

SPEAKER_00 39:00

Yes. Uh the first thing that comes to mind is a mural project in Katikati. So that is on the Arts Junction, which is the eyesight, it's the cinema, an art gallery, it's a real hub in Katy Cutti Mural Town. On the main road. On the main road. So I'm working with the team. I'm working with the team there, and it's in very early stages, so it's exciting, but um no date set in stone just yet, but definitely keep an eye out for what's going to happen there. It's over 270 square metres of what's incredible. So I'm just kind of pinching myself that I was selected as the artist.

SPEAKER_03 39:49

How long would something like that take you? Oh I know it's difficult to say, but it's a big piece.

SPEAKER_00 39:54

It's very big. I think we'll do it in stages.

SPEAKER_03 39:57

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 39:58

And it'll take maybe six weeks, um, but over time.

SPEAKER_03 40:04

Okay. Um, a couple more questions and we're gonna wrap this wrap this up. So we've got that to look forward to. Weather days, I mean, when you're working outside, you get it all, don't you? You get the sun, the wind, the rain. How do you handle the elements when you know that you have a job to do? Or is that just grit?

SPEAKER_00 40:24

That's just grit is a good word for it. Especially if you're working on working at heights platforms.

SPEAKER_01 40:30

Sure.

SPEAKER_00 40:30

And if you've got a time frame that you have to work to, then you just kind of have to get it done, you know. But if it's pouring with rain, you you can't work because that's the one thing, even if you were to have a break in the rain and you paint and then it rains. Cool.

SPEAKER_03 40:46

So that would be the that that would definitely delay things the most.

SPEAKER_00 40:50

Yeah, and then high wind is safety and also it dries the paint so quickly. So one of the biggest things that people say to me when I'm working in public is you painted that so fast. And I think partly I've had to get faster because it paints, it dries almost as the paint goes on the wall.

SPEAKER_03 41:11

So that's an interesting thing though, because over the three years, I mean you kind of have an idea of how how long it's going to take you, but your speed must be incredible now, knowing, I mean, obviously, once it's done and you've and you've put that large scale up, that must be an incredible um process to have followed over the last three years of going, yeah, I can do this pretty quickly because it's like the wind's coming.

SPEAKER_00 41:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 41:31

Hey?

SPEAKER_00 41:32

Yeah, I've definitely got faster. I can paint a TUI

VR Scaling Tools For Faster Murals

SPEAKER_00 41:35

pretty quickly at some point.

SPEAKER_03 41:36

I know, beautiful, they're absolutely beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 41:38

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 41:39

Sort of wrapping up now, there was a post that you put on um quite recently where you did a project indoors, but you used a VR headset.

SPEAKER_00 41:49

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 41:50

How do you keep up to date with technology and how are you incorporating technology into a very tactile human art form?

SPEAKER_00 42:00

So the VR headset is a tool, it is a fantastic tool for upscaling your design. It basically is a projector, but way better. And so when I say projector.

SPEAKER_03 42:15

Okay, so so compare so so when you say projector, so what is it, what did you do before versus this?

SPEAKER_00 42:20

So the projector is the tool I've been using to basically you you go, you have to go at night because it won't show up in the daytime.

SPEAKER_03 42:31

Valuable piece of information there.

SPEAKER_00 42:33

So, and that that's that's a sticking point in itself because I have young kids at home, and so I've had to sort of go out and and have someone if I'm in the public, then I need someone to help for safety reasons and things like that. So that's always been my least favourite part of the job.

SPEAKER_03 42:51

So it's actually a projector, so you've got it, you've got it drawn, and you actually put literally putting a projector and not scaling it onto your your.

SPEAKER_00 42:59

So because everything's designed in on my iPad, so it's digital, and then that goes on to the projector, and then the project, and then I just draw around the shape. So if it's a bird, I'm drawing the outline just to get that scale.

SPEAKER_03 43:13

Scale, right.

SPEAKER_00 43:14

So the VR headset, it I can use it during the day. Massive draw card. I it it's pretty phenomenal how big the image can get. And also with a projector, the space between sort of one wall and another can be quite narrow.

SPEAKER_03 43:33

So you can't necessarily get the size of it.

SPEAKER_00 43:36

You can't go back far enough to get that scale. So the VR headset, I could be from me to you.

SPEAKER_03 43:41

And you still get the scale.

SPEAKER_00 43:43

And get this and so for me that as a tool to speed up the process and to take out some of that that part of it, I don't really enjoy it.

SPEAKER_03 43:54

Any drawbacks for any drawbacks for the VR? For the VR at the moment that you've seen? Not so far. So it is a tool that you're going to be using going forward.

SPEAKER_00 44:03

Yes, 100%. It's a game changer. All right.

SPEAKER_03 44:05

Brilliant. I love that. Love it. I love that. And then just for yourself, I mean, is there do you have a favorite piece? Is there something specific that you really enjoy painting? I mean, I know you go through your different colour palettes based on on your work, but I mean that's also client-based. But you've got your favorite. Does that change over time depending on what work that you're doing? What do you enjoy most about what you do, Millie?

SPEAKER_00 44:27

Oh, I love everything about it.

SPEAKER_03 44:30

And it radiates out of you.

SPEAKER_00 44:32

I just love it so much. I I really love working with community groups and so schools and I'm you know, painted for Waipuna Hospice recently. I'm talking to Totonga Hospital at the moment. There's just those types of jobs that just mean so much to so many people, and I adore that. And so and and yeah, just bringing in that that painterly aspect again. Really, I'm just loving sort of getting creative with the different textures and forms that I've always painted with. So yeah, and just using those bright colours and greens and pinks and so when you paint those things, I I keep getting other questions.

SPEAKER_03 45:27

I promise you I'll wrap up. I promise. When you paint those the murals and stuff like that, how do you because there's feedback that comes straight to you? And I suppose you've developed a way of handling that, but how do you handle internalized negative feedback when it comes to your murals? What do you do with do with that negative kind of aspect that sometimes does creep up?

SPEAKER_00 45:50

Um you know, I I don't really get negative feedback. Um I'd be lying if I said I had that I did.

SPEAKER_03 45:59

That's amazing.

SPEAKER_00 46:00

I think part of that is, you know, that it is just joyful, fun, bright.

SPEAKER_03 46:05

Okay. I had to ask the question because I think sometimes what happens is like you look at something and go, okay, cool, it doesn't suit it, whatever the case is, and it and it and it gets shifted on you know to the artist. But the fact that you're saying that pays credence to the fact that you're very good at what you do and it does enhance the environment. I've no I've said that a number of times, but it's so true.

SPEAKER_00 46:25

So But if people, you know, people probably do have um probably do not like some of my work, and I'm absolutely I welcome that because yeah, you can't please everyone, and there is so much art out there that's so different and varied, and something will speak to one person and not to another. So yeah.

SPEAKER_03 46:46

Two more questions. Dream job, dream mural, dream thing, and I know that can change. We're not putting a a mark in a tell or a or a line in the sand, but dream job, dream mural that you'd love to be able to do or aspire to?

SPEAKER_00 47:01

Oh, I just mentioned the hospital, and that really is massive dream, a dream job. So that's that's a conversation at the moment. Uh it's not confirmed, but I'm a believer in putting things out there and and manifesting it. So that type of work, yeah, I really love the kati kati job is large, large scale and a challenge. I think that the challenge aspect is something I I still really want and it and it gets me. Yeah, so um just having that mix, the work that that is easier on the body and the mind is great, and then also mixed with the challenges and I love that.

SPEAKER_03 47:52

Last question Do you have an ask of the audience if there's something that I haven't asked you that you'd like to share with the audience,

Dream Jobs Advice And Where To Find Her

SPEAKER_03 48:00

what would that be, Millie?

SPEAKER_00 48:02

Oh, I think I think if you've got a passion and an idea and you're wanting to to start something and and shoot for it, then I say go for it. And even if it doesn't work out the way that you hoped it would or planned, you know, we we life is short and and I could have easily not gone after it and out of fear or wanting that security, but I'm so glad I did. And I have been open to change and it and it kind of shifting and pivoting in different directions. So I think being open to fluidity and flexibility is also really good. Um maybe not for everyone, but for me that's that's been that's been some advice that I've loved.

SPEAKER_03 48:57

Love it. Where can people find you? Where can they go to find out more about you, Millie?

SPEAKER_00 49:03

I'll put it in the show notes, but just My Instagram, which is murals underscore by Millie. Um, my website has my full portfolio, which is murals by Millie, and that's dot com. Yeah. Dot com. Dot com.

SPEAKER_03 49:17

Yeah, brilliant.

SPEAKER_00 49:18

Reach out if anyone has questions too. I'm more than happy to chat.

SPEAKER_03 49:23

Well, I really appreciate your time. Thank you very much for uh putting up with my questions and coming onto the podcast and just sharing a little bit of your story. And I wish you all the best with your future projects. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_00 49:36

I hope we can collaborate in the future. I'd love to.

SPEAKER_03 49:39

I love that. Brilliant, thank you. Done.

SPEAKER_01 49:43

Can I ask you a question?

Final Message And Sign-Off

SPEAKER_03 49:48

That's a wrap for today on the Bolton Ink Effect Podcast. The world doesn't need more noise, it needs bold voices, real stories, and people willing to show up. So if something here sparked an idea, made you rethink the rules, or reminded you that you're not alone on this journey, don't keep it to yourself. Share it. Talk about it, better yet, take action. Because at the end of the day, it's not about waiting for permission. It's about showing up, doing the work, and making something that matters. Thanks for being here. Now go build, create, and keep pushing forward. We'll see you next time.