Tides of Tradition Mural
Concept Development · Illustration · Mural Design · Painting · Production
Role
Timeline
Lead Artist & Designer
Tools
May -August 2026
Client
Procreate, Figma, Acrylic Paint, AluPanel
Downtown Halifax Business Commission
Business: Mary’s African Cuisine
Funding Partner: Downtown Halifax Business Commission, through the Gritty to Pretty Mural Grant Program
Tides of Tradition is a public mural exploring the movement, resilience, and cultural connections of Black & African people across the Atlantic. Created for Mary’s African Cuisine in downtown Halifax, the piece connects African and African Nova Scotian histories through a landscape that moves between both places.
Creative Process
The project began with research, sketches, and digital composition studies to establish the mural’s narrative and movement across the space. The design went through several stages of development, refining the figures, landscape, landmarks, and botanical elements before the final artwork was approved.
The completed digital design was then scaled across aluminum panels and painted by hand. Details and textures were built up using a combination of exterior and artist acrylics, translating the digital illustration into a large-scale painted work while maintaining the character of the original design.
Bringing Tides of Tradition from a digital concept to a large-scale public artwork was an incredibly rewarding learning experience. The project pushed me to adapt my illustration practice to a new scale, work through the challenges of outdoor mural production, and see my work become part of the downtown Halifax landscape. I’m grateful to my helpers, Mary’s African Cuisine, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission for the opportunity and trust to bring this piece to life!