Yellow Oasis Mural in Toronto, Collaboration Over Competition 💛
Back in April, I was a finalist for Yellow Oasis, a large public art project produced by STEPS Public Art in the Hillcrest BIA St.Clair area of Toronto. The theme came from the call itself. My concept showed birds, plants, and a river. It went to public voting and did not win. My friend Yasaman won the commission. We trust each other’s work, so she brought me on as an assistant. That trust and care set the tone for what followed.
This is a story about friendship, community, and a non-competitive mindset in mural art. It is also a thank you to a project that lifted me, literally and figuratively.
What Yellow Oasis Is About
Yasaman's mural brings Mother Nature and animals together in a warm, flowing composition. It feels alive. It wraps the building with presence, softness, and strength. Assisting on a nine-storey wall with a boom lift was one of the highlights of my summer. My harness clicked in. My heart raced. Then the colours took over.
Finalist Feelings, Honest and Mixed
Did rejection sting a little? Of course. I am human. The more profound truth is this: I know how much work Yasaman puts into her practice, so I felt happy that the wall went to an artist who cares so deeply. Two emotions can coexist in one person at the same time. Pride for a friend. Motivation for my own growth.
Friendship First, Always
I met Yasaman around 2019. We saw each other at festivals and on sites. We formed a bond because we are both immigrants, and we share a direct yet slightly sarcastic communication style. Over time, we built trust. I even invited her to partner with me on the Box Murals Project because I believe in her work and her integrity. Collaboration is not a buzzword for me. It is how I move.
First Day on the Lift
The boom swayed. We laughed from nerves. Then we focused and rose together. Painting at height is not glamorous. It is planning, safety, teamwork, and steady breathing. Once you are up there, the work takes over. Shape by shape. Stroke by stroke. City wind in your ears. Colour under your hands.
What I Learned by Assisting on a Large-Scale Mural
I learned coordination on a new scale. I learned about early call times and steady leadership. Yasaman was on site at 7:30 a.m. She set a calm, caring tone for the crew. She led with clarity and kindness. Watching that in action showed me what I want to bring to my own future big walls.
It also showed me that I am still gathering tools for very tall sites. I can do the work. I also respect the scale and what it asks of an artist. This project grew my confidence with lifts and height. It made me hungry for the next challenge.
Collaboration Over Comparison
Toronto's mural world can feel competitive. That pressure whispers that if someone else gets a wall, you lose more than a job. I do not believe that. The sun shines for everyone. Your wall finds you. My work is joyful, Latin American, and bold for a reason. I want to bring that into bigger spaces without tearing anyone down.
When I feel comparison creep in, I remind myself why I paint. I paint to honour nature, to celebrate colour, and to build community. I paint to make people feel seen.
Moments I Will Keep
A month on site gives you many small memories. Jokes between passes. Quiet concentration at height. The lift is humming. A neighbour looks up and smiles. That mix of everyday work and shared purpose is what I love most about public art.
A Note to Fellow Artists
If you are early in your journey, please be aware of this. Collaboration is not a weakness. It is a strength. Say yes to assisting. Learn from artists you respect. Please share your knowledge when it is your turn to lead. We rise together.
To Clients and City Partners
Collaboration creates safer, stronger murals. It builds teams that respect process, budget, neighbours, and height. When you hire a muralist, you are also inviting their community of helpers and peers. That is a good thing. It means experience, care, and problem-solving arrive with the paint.
Thank You, Yellow Oasis
Thank you to STEPS Public Art, StART, and City Councillor Josh Matlow for creating opportunities that bring artists together. Thank you to Yasaman for the trust. Thank you, Ima, for the opportunity and the coordination. Thank you to the assistance team: Hope, April and Prachi. Thank you to everyone who waved from the sidewalk while we worked up in the sky.
Ready for a large-scale mural with heart?
I am seeking bigger walls in Toronto and beyond. If you believe in collaboration, colour, and community, I would love to bring that energy to your site.
👉🏽 Download my free mural guide, then reach out and let us plan a wall that welcomes everyone.