Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

March 2025 • La Jolla, California

This mural for Estancia La Jolla brought together two of my favorite things: vibrant color and a challenge worth chasing. Painted over the course of two days, this piece lives in a tucked-away corner of the hotel property (the kind of spot you stumble upon and smile). 


The inspiration came directly from the client: they wanted something bold, beautiful, and abstract… a kind of mosaic moment that would pop against the neutral tones of the space. During our creative chats, they mentioned that Estancia is home to a monarch butterfly garden, which quickly became the heart of the design.


With their trust and a little artistic freedom, I created a composition that feels like a patchwork of movement, with nods to the flutter of butterfly wings, the warmth of the California sun, and the lush greenery of the hotel’s grounds. I painted it over two long days and it’s a hidden gem, so make sure to go look for it next time you’re on the property. It was one of those “small but mighty” murals that reminds me why I love what I do.