New inner-city mural created in local’s favourite coffee spot

If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Bridee at Banter Coffee in Toowoomba, then you’ll understand what I mean when I say she is sunshine in human form. Inspiration for my newest mural, Bridee and her partner Riley are the new owner operators of the beloved local coffee spot. While discussing my upcoming exhibition at Banter last year, talk turned to updating the full size mural inside. 

Pictured: Bridee (centre) alongside the new mural and a small oil painting of mine titled “Meewah Moment”, purchased as part of my pop-up sidewalk sale at Banter.

So I met with Bridee and spent time in the cafe sketching designs and drinking coffee as she worked, chatting with customers and pouring brews. The plan was to paint something fresh that brightens up the space, especially above the doorway which was previously dark green. Bridee and Riley trusted me to take a freestyle approach to designing and painting the final mural, mixing custom colours to complement the existing light green of the adjacent gallery wall. I wanted the design to reflect the beautiful space Bridee has created at Banter; warm, welcoming and joyful.

For the artwork I took inspiration from the gentle ridge of the great diving range and the subtle change of light from cool early morning to the golden glow of sunrise. With “Love at First Light” I wanted to capture the same feeling of the changing light of early morning and how this can change with the weather and seasons in Toowoomba. As a sunrise loving local, I feel a sense of hope in this fleeting moment of first light. A optimist art heart, it brings the promise of a new day and all that it could offer, especially when the weather is grey.

You can view the mural inside of Banter Coffee Kitchen at 229 Margaret Street, Toowoomba CBD.