How a Hand-Painted Mural Saved My Sanity - And Sparked a Business
By Lindleigh Crawford, Founder of Botany & Brush
A couple of months ago, I found myself staring at a blank wall in my home—and not in a poetic, deep-thoughts kind of way. More like the “I need to do something with my hands so I don’t fall into a panic spiral” kind of way.
At the time, there was a lot up in the air with my job, it felt like (feels like?) the world was on fire, and I was doing my best to carve out space for joy in between mom-hood, and life’s never-ending to-do list. The world felt heavy, and so did I. I was listening to a podcast interview of Martha Beck, and she said that “anxiety and creativity have an inverse relationship. Turn one on and the other turns off.” so I thought… I’ll try it!
So that afternoon, with zero plan and too much coffee, I grabbed a paintbrush and started covering that blank wall in bold shapes, playful lines, and colors that made me feel like I could breathe again. No sketch, no Pinterest board, just me, some paint, and the need to make something beautiful.
It felt like magic. Not because the mural was perfect (it wasn’t), but because for the first time in months, I felt present. Focused. Free. I could hear myself again underneath all the noise.
It Was Never Just a Wall
After that, something shifted. Friends and family started commenting on the mural. “Wait—you painted this?!” “I’ve always wanted something like this!” “Can you do this for me?”
That little spark of validation gave me the push I didn’t know I needed. Maybe this wasn’t just a creative release—maybe it was a calling. The seed was planted.
So I watered it.
I started Botany & Brush, a business rooted in joyful design. I now create hand-painted murals and garden spaces that feel alive, layered, and totally personal. Whether it’s a splashy moment in a kid’s room or a symbolic mural in your dining room, each wall tells a story—and I have the honor of helping people tell theirs.
Why I Believe in Murals More Than Ever
To me, a mural isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a way to reclaim space. To carve out something bold, emotional, and true in a world that can often feel beige and boxed-in. Especially for women, for mothers, for people rebuilding after a hard season—a mural is a declaration: This is who I am. This is how I want to feel. This is what I want to see when I wake up in the morning.
It’s like therapy, but with a paintbrush and playlist.
And what started on my own wall has now grown into a full-blown creative business—complete with custom designs, and a growing community of folks who believe that art belongs in every corner of the home.
If you’ve ever stared at your walls and wished they felt more you, this is your sign: grab the brush. Or call someone who can.
Either way—don’t settle for blank!