Two women smiling and talking in a modern indoor space next to a ladder and wall with faint green kitchen-themed wall art.

THE MURAL AT BELLA SORELLA

a bit of backstory…

Some projects carry a deeper meaning than the work itself, and this mural for Bella Sorella is one I'll always hold close.

I've been fortunate to know the owners for many years, so when my sister and I were invited to create a mural for their new restaurant in Clayton, we were truly honored. Inspired by the fresh vegetables, herbs, and ingredients used in their kitchen every day, the mural celebrates the authenticity, warmth, and care that define Bella Sorella.

Since completing this project, the restaurant's owner has sadly passed away after a battle with cancer. Her passion, generosity, and love for her community live on through Bella Sorella, making this mural even more meaningful. It's more than a piece of artwork—it's a tribute to the spirit of a restaurant built on family, tradition, and incredible food.

Exterior of BellaGorella Italian restaurant with black-and-white striped awnings and a parking sign for handicapped parking.
Close-up of a pizza with cherry tomatoes, red onions, zucchini, corn, and cheese on a crust.
A person wearing a black T-shirt and a bandana on their head is baking pizza in a wood-fired oven with a red tiled dome, in a restaurant or pizzeria.
Two young women stand outside a building with a gray brick exterior, smiling and hugging each other. One wears a gray Notre Dame hoodie and loose pants, the other a white striped sweater and sneakers. Behind them, there is a beige fence with red chairs and two cans of Zima on a table. The building has large windows, black and white striped awnings, and outdoor lights.

THE CONCEPT

This mural was approached with the same level of planning as any large-scale design project. Before any paint touched the wall, I developed multiple concept sketches, color studies, and layout explorations to determine the strongest composition for the space. Because the mural would share the wall with a mounted television, careful consideration was given to visual balance, sightlines, and the scale of each illustrated element to ensure the artwork remained cohesive without competing with the restaurant's functionality.

Once the concept was approved, my sister and I transferred the entire composition directly onto the wall by hand, free-sketching each ingredient and botanical element to achieve a natural, organic flow. This stage required the greatest precision, as every adjustment was made in real time to create a balanced composition.

Color selection also evolved throughout the project. We initially chose a soft, muted green background, but after evaluating the mural under the restaurant's evening lighting, we found that it lacked the necessary contrast. The wall was repainted with a richer green tone, allowing the illustrations to stand out while creating a warmer, more inviting atmosphere that better complemented the restaurant's interior.

The finished mural has become a focal point of the space, often prompting guests to ask whether it was created using wallpaper or stencils. One of the most rewarding aspects of the project has been seeing people's surprise when they learn the entire piece was hand-drawn and hand-painted from start to finish.

A botanical line drawing with three color swatches labeled with their HEX color codes: light green (#81A55D), dark green (#47612D), and muted green (#93A581).
Line drawings of various food items, including basil leaves, a bell pepper, mushrooms, cheese, lettuce, and sliced zucchini.
A digital display of a heart-shaped pizza with various toppings, surrounded by illustrations of vegetables including lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and bell pepper on a wall.

FINAL TOUCHES

A woman stands in front of a white wall drawing a large outline of a banana with a marker. The wall also has a sketch of a sprig of rosemary and some lemon slices. The woman is holding a small plate or container in her left hand and leaning forward to draw.
A woman with brown hair in a ponytail wearing a dark blue shirt is painting a large, light green leaf and branch on a white wall. She holds a small paintbrush in her right hand and a paper plate with green paint in her left hand. There are other people in the background, including a person with blond hair and a black shirt.
A young woman with long hair, wearing jewelry, is smiling at the camera while holding a paper plate with a small amount of oil or sauce. She stands near a white wall with a faint green outline of a leaf and the name "Ivy Davis" written underneath.
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Two women sitting and talking, one leaning on a ladder, with faint chalk sketches of baked goods and vegetables on a white wall behind them.