The Bucket List Tree – From Canvas to Wall

In July, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into something completely new: painting my very first mural. And not just any mural—this was a 5-meter by 2.5-meter wall transformed into an abstract birch-like tree, designed to hold memories, dreams, and moments yet to come.

The tree became the heart of a “Bucket List” project. My client wanted to hang 100 ideas—some already lived, some still waiting—from its branches. Completed dreams were represented by personal photographs taken in those exact places; future dreams by placeholders. The mural would be both art and a living map of a life in motion.

Technically, it was a challenge. Unlike canvas, the wall couldn’t be tilted to prevent paint from running, so I had to adjust consistency with precision. I worked in five distinct layers:

1. A removable watercolor sketch for orientation
2. A grey acrylic background
3. An imperfect white layer for the birch bark, letting grey peek through
4. Tones of orange, deep grey, and beige for depth and texture
5. And finally, delicate strokes of gold leaf—where sunlight might kiss the bark

It was a dance between stepping back for the big picture and leaning in for the tiniest detail. The wall’s own texture became part of the story, and yes—so did the ladder, my constant companion throughout the process.

Now the tree stands complete, its branches filled with laughter, travels, and dreams in progress. It’s more than a mural—it’s a growing, changing piece of someone’s personal journey.

Bonus insight: these were the initial proposals for a Bucket List Wall:

1. The Bucket List Tree
2. Cute Calligraphy Text
3. World Map
4. Hanging Photos

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