These Are the 7 Female Street Artists You Need to Know
Art is everywhere, and if you’ve ever been in search of a great Instagram backdrop - maybe you’ve even asked Google to find ‘street murals near me’ - then this is for you.
Beyond picturing how great beautiful murals would look on your feed, chances are you’ve also wondered who could be talented enough to paint these larger-than-life works of art. We know that we have. In fact, we were so curious that we tracked down 7 street artists and muralists across the country to ask them about their inspiration, artistic background and even their favorite pieces. Need another reason to keep reading? They’re all female. Get ready to add a few more locations to your bucket lists because we know nobody can resist a good photo-op.
Sofia Castellanos - Mexico City, México
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
I find magic everywhere I go. I believe beauty exists in many different forms, and I love expressing all of them through my art. My murals are always a celebration of life. I’m inspired by the complexity of human nature, and my mission is introducing other people into a world filled with possible fantasies.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
I have always felt a tireless need to paint. Through paintings, I discovered an enormous willpower that always lived inside me. It's the way I understand and process the world around me. After studying graphic design in college, I found a way to combine my creative passions and I dedicated myself (fully) into developing my own style.
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
I love all projects; they are always new and exciting, but If I had to pick one it would have to be the time I was part of the Stir Creativity Campaign by Bombay Sapphire a year ago. I became part of an enormous art collective where I was able to be completely free as an artist and celebrate creativity in a lot of different formats.
Natasha May Platt - New York City, USA
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
I find inspiration in the joyful, perfect irregularity of nature, where each flower and leaf is unique and shaped in its own spontaneous way. I try to capture that playful scope of endless possibilities in my work. I also draw inspiration from the higher states of consciousness that I enter in my meditation practice, and the vibrancy of colors I find inside with my eyes closed.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
I studied philosophy in college and have always been seeking the meaning of life and questioning what I see around me. Then, I moved to India for 3 years, worked for an incredible fashion designer and absorbed the colorful abundance and history of Indian textile design. I started painting because I felt that it was the truest way to express what is inside of me directly onto a surface. I chose murals because public art has the ability to affect and reach so many people as they go about their daily lives. I think art is for everyone and I’m glad to be able to create art that can brighten someone’s day as they wait for the bus or stand in line.
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
My favorite mural was one I did early on in my career at a textile and design NGO in Kuutch, Gujurat, India. I designed the mural as a tribute to some of the embroidery traditions I love so much, and also incorporated the local plants into the mural as well. The project was so special because the artisans of the community spent the first day watching me from afar, and then slowly began to volunteer to join in and paint in their style as the days progressed. Finally, the cleaning lady of the center brought her 8-year-old son from home and asked if he could contribute. She said that she wanted more for him in his life, and the opportunity to paint with me would increase his confidence in terms of what he was capable of. He was such a special child and the intensity with which he worked was truly inspiring to me and something that I remember to this day. The whole mural taught me the power of creating collectively with a community, and how allowing people to spontaneously contribute their creativity makes for an incredible visual and emotionally creative experience. I always feel that whatever seeds I plant in India grow into lush trees, and starting both my fashion career and my mural career in India certainly was meaningful and fruitful for my soul.
Tarabella Aversa - Tennessee, USA
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
The majority of the inspiration for my murals really plays on what the client is looking for. Each mural I approach differently and like to take all things into consideration. Everything from the texture of the furniture, lighting fixtures, natural light, and overall vibe if it’s interior. If it’s exterior, I love to take inspiration from the streets of the neighborhood and what that looks like. I think, “what would the community like, and how can I serve this location visually?” If this is a creative freedom moment (which is rare but when I get that opportunity it always ends up being my best work), I allow music to inspire me and mix that with nature. Bold, beautiful colors and a black and white center is more my signature style.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
I started painting around 3 or 4, but I only did it for fun. The older I got, I always wanted to go into the arts but unfortunately I was a little, if not a lot, discouraged by teachers, and my parents were worried that I wouldn’t be able to support myself financially. So, I went into being a hair color specialist because my mother was, and I started apprenticing her at a young age. I continued to paint for myself and would just hide it. It was therapy for me, and then 11 years into my stylist career I noticed Nashville was coming into a renaissance of sorts with murals everywhere, and I wanted to be a part of that. I got very lucky when one of my clients was opening a bar in east Nashville and needed a mural artist. I reluctantly jumped on that opportunity. Since then, I’ve done around 80 murals.
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
My favorite mural is hands down my Jimi Hendrix mural I got to do for a paint jam called Burnin Bridges Chattanooga. There were around 30 graffiti and mural artists and all were incredible, but what I loved was that we got complete and full free reign on what we painted. Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorite musicians and roses/florals are what I’m really known for. Another reason I loved this in particular is because I got to experiment for the first time with different spray can nozzles. I’m mainly a brush mural artist.
Josie Rice - Seattle, USA
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
I’ve always been obsessed with flowers, so much so that I was a florist just so I could be near them. I love using floral inspiration from the different locations I paint, client favorites or what’s wildly growing in season.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
My artistic style has developed over time, starting with one flower into more complex compositions featuring bold black lines. I studied interior architecture, but realized I was not meant for working on the computer. It seemed a pipe dream to ever be a full time artist, but i was always working on painting in my spare time. Magic happened when I lost my job in the pandemic, I painted some boarded up windows and it transitioned me to a working painter!
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
My favorite project is a chimney that I painted at a sweet family’s house. I love an interesting canvas and unique color palettes. Really, though, every project is my new favorite!
Rasheal Winters, Created Art Co - Dallas, USA
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
My murals are inspired by my faith, the beautiful array of colors in nature and the collaboration of bringing my clients vision to life.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
I have always been creative, but I first started painting 6 years ago while going through a medical battle as a way of expressing all I was going through. I never imagined that, 5 years later, it would turn into my own small business and full-time career! While I still paint abstract art, my main focus is murals for businesses and homes.
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
I fell in love with murals after a close friend asked me to paint a 90 foot mural on her new business, The Darling Co., in Richardson, TX. She believed in me, so I took the leap of faith and said yes.
I will forever love that mural because it was the one that started it all! My hope is to bring color, joy, inspiration and purpose to a space. Art has a way of drawing us in, uniting us together and putting a smile on our faces. I believe we are all created to create something. Mine just so happens to be art and murals!
Sabree Garcia - Arizona, USA
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
I found my inspiration through everyday life and nature. I’m also inspired by street art, geometric styles of art, architectural design and modern day art. I also find my inspiration through art idols like Shepard Fairy & some locals here in AZ that I’ve looked up to.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
I first started back in 2019. I was doing art on canvas in my spare time and wanted more of a challenge. I reached out to a lady (Danielle) on Facebook, who was hosting Phoenix First Mural Project, and she brought me out to assist my first mentor, Jermie Franko (Bacpac). I branched out after that.
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
My favorite project would have to be downtown Fry’s project (block 23). I won an artist call out of 44 local artists. It was a dream come true. I worked so hard on it, so it was definitely a highlighted moment for me. With the help of an assistant, we were able to complete 2 different 25 foot murals in 6 days.
Camille Manley - Queensland, AUS
Where do you typically find your inspiration for the murals you create?
Nature is always where I find my inspiration, which is why my murals often have a heavy focus on botanicals. I also love Pinterest for colour inspo.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and why you started painting.
Art has always been a big part of my life, so though I worked for over 10 years as a graphic designer. But, I could never shake the need to draw and paint. So, since going freelance, my practice has focused predominantly on art and illustration, working on murals, art commissions, editorial illustration and now, my first children's book.
Do you have a favorite project? If so, which is it and what makes it special?
I'm actually super excited about an upcoming project with Brisbane Street Art Festival. I'll be painting a wall next to a refurbished music venue (The Princess Theatre) alongside some other amazing artists. My artwork will be a response to the devastating Australian bushfires.