Catzen is a welcoming neighborhood specialty coffee shop nestled in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where visitors can unwind in the delightful company of cats. Recently, Ara had the pleasure of being hired to paint a mural for a charming back patio that features two large concrete walls. This creative journey began with capturing photos of the shop's resident cats, transforming them into art, and incorporating them into the vibrant scenes of the mural.

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The design process was meticulously crafted on an iPad, assembling the mural cat by cat and paw by paw. Once the design was complete, it was projected onto the patio walls. Using black chalk, the outlines were transferred onto the walls, followed by the painting process. The final touches included paint brushed outlining and applying a glossy varnish to bring the mural to life.

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The vision for this project was to create a twinkle-lit patio and street scene that combines the romantic streets of historic Saint Paul with elements reminiscent of European alleys. The mural is filled with scooters, flower boxes, fountains, lanterns, window shutters, and a sidewalk cafe, all coming together to form a picturesque backdrop. Amidst these delightful scenes, a cast of vibrant kitty characters adds warmth and charm to this unique outdoor space.