“Intro”

Hello, I’m A’shua Imran—founder, artistic director, and pirate captain of Mural Lingo. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to do work I love, excel at, and sustain as a livelihood.

Mural Lingo began as a simple dream: to create a community around painting murals and turning walls into stories that inspire, connect, and transform. While my journey has been filled with challenges, it’s also been profoundly rewarding. I’ve never dreaded a Monday because, for me,

there’s no such thing as Monday blues when you truly love what you do.

In the early years, sustaining this dream demanded more than artistic talent—it required resilience, resourcefulness, and an entrepreneurial mindset. I immersed myself in the world of business, devouring books, attending seminars, and developing skills I’d never imagined needing as an artist.

Fast forward to today, and Mural Lingo has left its mark across seven countries in the Asia-Pacific. With over 400 murals painted, we’ve collaborated with global brands like Google, Amazon, Decathlon, Volkswagen, and WWF.

Each wall we’ve painted tells a unique story of collaboration, persistence, and courage. Whether working on a corporate sustainability initiative or a community-driven mural project, every creation reflects the spirit of teamwork and transformation.

My journey has been enriched by an industrious crew of creatives who are more than colleagues—they’re family. Over the years of countless challenges we faced through projects, we’ve built something far greater than walls. I love my crew—my pirates.

On 31 December 2024, Mural Lingo celebrated 10 years—a milestone that fills me with gratitude and reflection. What began as a quest to escape the “struggling artist” phase evolved into a decade-long journey of discipline, growth, and transformation.

As we mark this anniversary, I’m thrilled to embark on a journey of sharing the behind-the-scenes stories, invaluable lessons, and significant milestones that have fueled our passion for mural artistry. Alongside these narratives, I’ll delve into the resources that shaped my path—books, videos, and seminars that played a pivotal role in developing Mural Lingo from the ground up.

Expect insights into the techniques and secrets behind mural artistry, strategies for creative entrepreneurship, and personal development hacks that made it possible to build a thriving studio with zero capital investment. My aim is to provide aspiring creatives with a roadmap to manifest their dreams and turn them into reality, just as I have done.

Every journey begins somewhere. For me, it began with the first mural that sparked an idea—and fueled the foundation of a dream.

“The Wall That Started It All.”

Sometimes, the beginning of a journey isn’t glamorous—it’s Craigslist. That’s where I found the posting that led to my first mural project: a school needed an educational mural about road safety for students aged 7 to 12. At the time, I had no experience painting murals, but I confidently assured the teacher—the project liaison—that I could deliver without a hitch. To be honest, I had no clue how to paint a mural. But that moment taught me an important lesson: sometimes, you just have to say yes and trust yourself to figure it out.

Craigslist: A popular online classified ads platform in the early 2000s

After the meeting, I walked straight into a nearby paint store and explained what I needed to do. The store owner generously shared his expertise, walking me through the materials: epoxy paint for the concrete floor, thinner, brushes, containers, and tools to stir and open cans. That conversation, combined with hours of online research, became my crash course in mural painting.

Credits : Chin Hoe Hup Kee Hardware @ Tampines Street 11, Singapore

I quickly assembled a small team of four, schoolmates from my fine arts program at LASALLE College of the Arts, to co-develop the design and paint the mural. Together, we drafted the concept, refined it with the client, and brought it to life over two weeks of hard, exhilarating work. Standing back and looking at the finished piece, I felt a surge of optimism—this could be the start of something bigger.

Educational floor mural on road safety at Griffiths Primary School Completed December 2013)

That first project exposed me to two new skills: negotiation and team management. I learned to navigate client expectations, motivate a small team, and problem-solve on the go. Most importantly, I realized that creative talent alone wasn’t enough. 

Key Lessons From My First Mural

1. Say Yes Before You’re Ready

Confidence, even when you’re still learning, can open doors. Trust yourself to adapt and grow as you go.

2. Learn the B-Side of Arts

Creative talent isn’t enough. Understand negotiation, budgeting, team coordination, and fundamental business skills to thrive.

3. Every Project is a Crash Course

My first mural wasn’t just about painting. It taught me about materials, team dynamics, and the logistics of executing a vision.

Looking back, that first mural wasn’t just a project—it was a pivotal moment. It marked the start of my journey, not only as a muralist but as someone willing to bet on themselves and grow through every challenge. Those early lessons laid the foundation for everything Mural Lingo would become.

“8 Essential Skills for Creative Entrepreneurs”

If you’re a creative entrepreneur—or dreaming of becoming one—you’ve probably wondered what it takes to succeed. Whether you’re a mural artist looking to expand your career or a creative entrepreneur building your brand, mastering the right skills can make all the difference.

As the founder and creative director of Mural Lingo, I’ve spent over a decade navigating the world of creative entrepreneurship. These are the 8 key skills that have shaped my journey and can help you thrive in your creative career.

Photo credit: Shian Bang

1. Master the Fundamentals (For Mural Artists and Beyond)

To build a sustainable creative business, start with the basics. As a mural artist, my foundation in color theory and basic painting techniques gave me the confidence to say “YES!” to new projects. Whatever your creative field, developing core skills ensures your work stands out. 

2. Learn Design Tools

Even if you’re not a designer, understanding tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Figma can be a game-changer. For example, when I communicate with my designers, I use terms like “Skew”, “kerning” or “vector export,” which helps streamline the creative process. Basic knowledge of design tools enhances collaboration and ensures your vision is executed perfectly. 

3. Build Your Brand and Market Yourself

Branding and marketing go hand in hand. In the early days, I had no one to help with marketing, so I had to figure it out myself. Your brand isn’t just a logo; it’s the impression people have when they see your work, meet you, or hear about your services. A strong brand builds trust and attracts the right clients.

Don’t rush this part—invest your time and energy into building a brand identity that truly represents you. Trust me, it’s worth it in the long run. 

4. Develop Financial Literacy

We can’t sustain our passion if we can’t manage our finances. When I started Mural Lingo, I knew almost nothing about budgeting, pricing, or tracking expenses. Learning those skills wasn’t easy (I fell asleep during so many finance tutorials), but it was absolutely necessary. Today, I have the financial freedom to focus on my art and personal growth. Financial literacy is what gives you control over your life—and your creativity. 

5. Cultivate Relationships

Creative skills will only take you so far. Building strong relationships is what ensures longevity. Whether you’re dealing with clients, freelancers, collaborators, or vendors, effective communication is key. Each group requires a different approach, and learning how to connect with people authentically has been one of the most valuable lessons of my career. 

6. Write Winning Proposals and Pitch Decks

Your first impression often happens before you meet a client—in your proposals and pitch decks. Early on, I struggled with writing, but with practice, I’ve learned how to create compelling materials that reflect the value of my work and accurately communicate my ideas with my clients before I even meet them. This is a lifelong learning skill. Don’t aim for perfection; aim to improve with each project. 

7. Master Presentation and Negotiation Skills

When the time comes to present your ideas to a client, your ability to communicate clearly and confidently can make or break the deal. Learning some basic presentation techniques and body language skills can make a world of difference. And negotiation? That’s where you can turn a few well-chosen words into a few extra thousand dollars. Why say no to that?

8. Develop Leadership Skills

Even if you plan to work solo, there will come a time when you’ll need support—whether it’s from creative assistants or collaborators. That’s when leadership becomes critical. Great leaders inspire those around them to carry the vision forward. Developing your leadership skills means preparing yourself to guide others while staying true to your creative mission. 

Why These Skills Matter for Creative Entrepreneurs

As creatives, we often focus on our craft, but building a sustainable career requires a balance of artistry and entrepreneurship. These 8 skills have been instrumental in my journey, and I hope they’ll inspire you to build the foundation for your own. Start small, be consistent, and keep learning—you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Stay tuned—next, I’ll be sharing “How to Build a Mural Portfolio” to help you showcase your work and attract the right opportunities.