Avery O is a mural artist and illustrator. Her mural work is specialized for bold spaces looking to hold their own, including businesses, homes, and public spaces. Avery blogs about art, design, business and all her many successes and fiascos.
Dear neighbors,
We have endless space between us right now but I’m feeling the love and connections stronger than ever. I miss doing things. I miss going places. I miss making plans. But, I refuse to miss people. So I’m going to log on to another virtual happy hour this afternoon and check in with the people I love. Cheers to getting through another week, y’all! 🍻
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #12
Dear neighbors,
Man oh man. I’m trying not to let this gloomy day affect my mood. It sure is hard! Here’s a picture of yesterday’s bright and sunny sky with a pretend mural to match. I’m hoping your day and mood are bright and sunny! Hang in there!
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #11
Dear neighbors,
Here’s a little doodle to match your lovely red front door. I’ve always liked your door. Maybe I’ll come knocking one day to say hello once we are free to interact face to face again. Until then, I am going to be grateful for beautiful days and FaceTime conversation with friends and family. It really is a joy to connect throughout this weird little time we are living through.
Today was actually pretty okay for me. I only got one thing done on my list of four things. But, I also had four wonderful and long FaceTime conversations. That’s pretty okay! I’ve allowed myself to aim for mediocrity and it feels just right for now.
I hope today was an okay one for you too. I think it’s okay to just be okay.
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #10
Dear neighbors,
Well, I had this all planned out. I was going to write a post about the daily drip, drip, drip of our lives in this new normal, and about how we can also find bright and beautiful sweetness in the monotony and quiet spaces of the day to day.
Then life was like, “Girl, you bored? I got you, boo. Let’s have these kids get in a fist fight over a chair. This one can give that one a bloody nose. Bam! There’s your excitement!”
Enjoy the bright and beautiful drip, drip, drip, y’all. Sometimes excitement is overrated.
Love and light and bloody noses,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #9
Dear neighbors,
Here is the mural I really want to paint right now. It is a thank you to all of the medical workers, first responders, grocery store and pharmacy employees, everyone making deliveries, and everyone staying home. We are all part of this. We all have to hold the line. What does that mean?
It is the frontline responders holding back the tide of illness. It describes the care with which first responders uphold our welfare, and how our communities, in turn, are accountable to hold their needs and safety. It is the work being done to flatten the curve of infection into a straight line. Stay home, be safe, say thank you.
Love and light and endless gratitude!
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #8
Dear neighbors,
Well, I officially lost my mind a little bit today. No seriously, I went psycho on my 8 year old for something so stupid and insignificant. There was yelling, crying, and high speed chase down the alleyway. I wish I was exaggerating. I just lost it. But we both calmed down. I apologized profusely. We went for a walk in the neighborhood and held hands. It was good to be outside. It made me think of the restorative power of nature and fresh air and exercise. We all need that right now. So, I drew some mountains for you so that you can have that same reminder that I so desperately needed today. I hope you are staying safe and staying sane through all of this craziness.
Love and light, and patience and apologies,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #7
Dear neighbor,
No offense, but your garage was boring. I put a bird on it. Thanks for letting me mock it up!
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #6
Dear neighbors,
What are y’all up to these days? Reading any good books? Watching any good shows? Sunbathing nude behind that pretty fence of yours? Maybe after all of this is over I’ll come by, knock on your door, show you my quarantine doodles and thank you for unknowingly letting me pretend to paint your fence. I’ll bring wine. It’ll be great! Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #5
Dear neighbors,
Oof, I don’t know how you’re doing, but today I needed some art therapy. Lots of tiny circles help. Something a little mindless, a little monotonous, something that keeps me from incessantly reading the news. I hope you are safe and healthy! Let me know if you need anyone to talk to. I’m here for over the fence conversations or FaceTime.
Love and light!
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #4
Dear (virtual) Neighbor,
Thanks for sending me a picture of your house to mock-up! I don’t know if you’re a rainbow guy, but I feel like we all need sunshine and rainbows right about now. I really hope you are hanging in there! We are all in this together even though we are all so far apart.
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbor Mural Mock-up #3
Dear neighbors,
I know you haven’t moved in yet, but I bet you’ll be really glad you built this private pool when the 100 degree heat comes and all the public pools are shut down. Does chlorine kill coronavirus? Anyways, thanks for letting me pretend to paint a mural on your wall! Stay tuned for more neighborhood mural mockups.
Love and light,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #2
Dear neighbors,
Thank you for letting me borrow your walls for the next few weeks in an effort to keep my own sanity. I am figuring out my daily routine through all of this craziness. I go for a run every morning (keeping a 6 foot distance from other runners and walkers). This morning I noticed how many modern houses in my neighborhood have big, blank white walls. So, I’m taking pictures. And I’m making mural mock-ups! These murals will probably never exist on these buildings, but maybe on others sometime in the future. But, who knows! Who knows anything these days, right? Anyways, thanks for your help in my little creative endeavor. Sending love and light!
Sincerely,
Avery O
Dear Neighbors Mural Mock-up #1
