What is a mural?

What is a mural? According to the dictionary, it’s a large picture painted on a wall. Wikipedia says it needs to be graphic art. I’d say both of these are both true and not true.

A mural is an image that is applied directly to the wall or on a different surface that is applied directly to the wall. So a painting on stretched canvas or paper that is framed isn’t necessarily a mural but a painting on wood or canvas or paper that is secured directly to the wall is.

eh, that’s a lso a bunch of technicalities…

What’s a mural? A large image or pattern applied directly to the wall or on another surface that is adhered to a wall in a permanent or semi-permanent way.

Murals come in many different styles and methods. While style is a personal choice, surface is usually dictated by circumstance or artist preference.

I prefer, mostly, to paint on a non-woven fabric surface if possible. Muralists often call it poly-tab. It’s like interfacing that is used to reinforce waistbands and collared shirts. It’s very light weight and sturdy and can be painted off the wall and then hung like wall-paper. It’s sturdy enough that it can be used inside or outside depending on adhisive, and light weight enough that it can be shipped pretty easily.

While not every project is a good fit for poly-tab, many are. Two of the images below are on poly-tab and two are directly to the wall, can you tell which is which?