From Blank Walls to Bold Art: the Journey of a Full-Time Muralist in South Boston

If you’ve sat at the front bar at The Broadway or walked into Fat Baby recently, you’ve seen the work of Liv Mileika (@livtopaint), a Boston-area artist whose murals are transforming neighborhoods.

Liv’s love for art started when she was a kid, but her journey into full-time mural painting started only about a year ago. Prior to that, she worked as an RN in surgical/trauma critical care for years, but was becoming burnt out around COVID. Liv left her job as a nurse and started waitressing, allowing her to allocate more time to her passion.

“I waitressed at Capo in Southie that summer and focused on my art. I set up a website, started posting on social media, and began selling my work. That momentum kept building.”

After apprenticing with another muralist in Boston, she quickly discovered her passion for large-scale art. What started with occasional projects has blossomed into a full-fledged career. “I loved the process so much.” she explains.

Now, Liv’s art has become a staple in Southie. She has painted murals at The Broadway, Burns Realty, and Fat Baby, adding her signature style to local establishments. In addition to murals, Liv continues to create fine art canvas paintings, prints, and merchandise, incorporating vibrant, tropical color palettes that reflect her earthy, feminine, and floral style. Her work extends beyond murals to live illustration for events, graphic design for local businesses, and seasonal merchandise drops, which she hypes up on social media.

Looking ahead, Liv’s vision for her business includes expanding beyond Boston. “A huge goal of mine is to take my art to other cities. I’d love to travel and work with clients who align with my artistic style. I want to create a recognizable brand and artistic identity, which is something I think all artists strive for.”

For those looking to collaborate with Liv, she recommends reaching out via Instagram, where she frequently posts her latest projects and connects with her audience. Her website also has a submission form for potential clients to describe what they’re looking for.

Keep an eye out around the neighborhood as Liv has some exciting projects of the horizon for Southie.

 

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