Creating magic beyond the wall: The bespoke murals of Inky Collective

25 Jul 2023

When it comes to bringing art to life on various surfaces, Inky Collective is a sister duo force to be reckoned with. Amanda and Ari are creating bespoke murals with vibrant Resene colours that transform nurseries, home walls, doors, shops, cafes, and even pools. With a unique and flexible style, Amanda and Ari have captured the hearts of their clients by turning visions into vibrant realities.

Inky Collective began with Amanda, a high school art teacher, and her sister Ari, a practicing artist and sculpture teacher. Their artistic journey took an unexpected turn when Amanda became pregnant with twins. Inspired by the desire to create a special environment for her girls, the sisters painted a mural for the new nursery. “It dawned on us that it would be a abulous business idea and it's really just taken off from there,” Amanda says.

'Around the World' classroom mural is painted in Resene Ochre, Resene Pacifika, Resene Goblin, Resene Green House, Resene Groovy, Resene Cafe Royale, Resene Noosa, Resene Happy Hour, Resene Gulf Stream and Resene Palm Green. 

When it comes to finding inspiration for their creations, the sisters turn to the vast world of Pinterest. Gathering ideas and concepts, they create an inspiration board that serves as a springboard for their designs. Combining their client's brief with their own imagination, they breathe life into their artistic visions.

“Once we have our design, we create a mock-up of the mural for the client,” Amanda says. “On painting day, we use a light colour to paint the general design onto the wall, then lay down the base colours before going back in with the details.” 

The 'Sleeping Farm' mural is painted in Resene Clover, Resene Pacifika, Resene Midnight Moss, Resene Blue Night and Resene White. 

Choosing the right materials is crucial for any artist, and the duo at Inky Collective swear by Resene paints. “We love Resene paints so much,” Amanda says. “The full coverage has saved us hours of painting time and we love the vibrant range of colours.”

Previously, Amanda and Ari experimented with other paint brands but found that they required extra coats and lacked the desired vibrancy. Their search for a durable clear finish that could provide extra protection outside also led them to Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield, which proved to be the perfect solution.

'The Lion and the Whale' mural, a favourite of Amanda and Ari’s, is painted in Resene Wax Flower, Resene Onahau, Resene Brillante, Resene Moccasin, Resene Hot Toddy, Resene Black and Resene White.

“As soon as I was in a Resene ColorShop I saw the amazing range of vibrant colours and was blown away by the helpful staff there who really took an interest in our upcoming murals,” Amanda says. “Our colour palette inspiration is so varied from project to project and Resene always has the exact colours we are searching for.”

When asked about their favourite Resene colour, Amanda and Ari find it difficult to choose just one. However, Resene Wax Flower holds a special place in their hearts. This captivating peachy shade has become a go-to colour in their recent projects, adding a girly pop that perfectly complements their artistic style.

The 'Swimmers' Pool' mural is painted in Resene Tangerine, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene White and Resene Black. 

While creating beautiful murals is their passion, Inky Collective is not a full-time job for these creative sisters. Amanda devotes her time to caring for her twins on non-painting days, while Ari teaches ceramic classes and focuses on her sculptural art in the studio. Despite their other commitments, their love for art and Inky Collective shines through in every project they undertake.

Check out more designs, or get in contact about a mural for your own home, at www.inkycollective.com

Published: 25 Jul 2023