Mural Mayhem
Catching up with our favorite local muralist, Erin Gajan
Creativity, love and always Maine
We recently had the pleasure of working with an incredible local mural painter, Erin Gajan (@edesignsmaine), who also happens to be a childhood friend. Erin pours her whole heart and creativity into every project she takes on, and her deep connection to Maine, her family, and her art shines through in each piece. We’re beyond excited to incorporate her unique work into our upcoming projects and wanted to share a glimpse into her artistic process. We sat down with Erin to learn more about her journey and what drives her incredible talent.
Do you have a favorite project?
My favorite project was the plaid I recently completed for CA Solutions, and not just because I got to collaborate with childhood friends. Working through the creative process with Chrissy and Alysia was awesome. Every detail of the design was tweaked and re-tweaked so that their client had the perfect plaid for their space. But the best part was seeing one of my designs in such a beautifully done room. Chrissy and Alysia paid as much attention to every last detail in that project as they did to every line and every color in the plaid. The end result was stunning!
How did you get started with your murals?
I began painting my own home when my girls were very little. My husband traveled weekly and after the girls were asleep I'd get to painting. I gradually gained confidence with each project I completed.
What is the easiest/hardest part of your murals?
A lot of people ask me if I'm bored when I paint. But painting is the only time I get to tune out everything else and be creative. That's definitely the easiest part of the job. Getting into the zone.
The hardest part of a job is always the incredibly awkward positions I spend hours in. Head bent under the ceiling, contorting to get into the hard to reach spots.
what was your most challenging project?
I designed a wall for a young girl who wanted surfboards, palm trees, pineapples and sunglasses. That was the hardest design to create. There were times when I thought I just wasn't going to be able to nail it. And not nailing it wasn't good enough. But in the end, it turned out perfectly.
what are your plans/hopes for the future? I really enjoy working with design firms and seeing my designs in a newly reinvigorated, thoughtfully done spaces. I'd love to continue that in the future.
do you like original designs more or the challenge of repeating an existing design?
Working on an original design is always a fun challenge, but that doesn't mean I prefer it over repeating an existing design. In all honesty the most satisfying part of any painting job is the end result. I absolutely love when a vision becomes reality.
final thoughts
Starting a business has been a journey filled with valuable lessons, and one of the most enjoyable aspects has been working closely with vendors. Learning their processes, understanding different communication styles, and ensuring the collaboration is mutually beneficial has been a rewarding experience.
Working with Erin was just one of those rewarding experiences, she brought the perfect balance of creativity and open-mindedness to the table. Her ability to adapt and contribute to our vision made all the difference in ensuring the success of our project. Working with someone who is as invested and collaborative as Erin is truly a privilege.
If you ever have the chance to collaborate with talented childhood friends, seize it! There's something uniquely special about building together with those who understand you deeply. The result? A partnership that's not just about business but about shared experiences and mutual respect.
In the end, these moments remind us that business is not just about transactions, but about the relationships we build along the way.