A Custom Window Mural on West 25th in Cleveland
In Summer 2025, I had the opportunity to design and paint a custom window mural for Vintage & Vina located inside CentroVilla25 on West 25th Street in Cleveland.
The project came directly from the owner — and friend — Reinaldo Dejesus, who reached out with a clear vision, a defined deadline, and trust in the creative process. That combination? Always appreciated.
This blog breaks down the creative direction, prep work, materials testing, and step-by-step process behind the mural — from digital concept to final black outline on glass.
From Concept to Approval: Designing the Mural in Procreate
Before any paint hit glass, everything started digitally.
Using Procreate on the iPad, I created a full illustration mockup tailored specifically to the storefront window dimensions. Designing digitally allowed me to:
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Work out composition and scale
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Balance typography and graphic elements
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Stay aligned with Vintage & Vina’s branding
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Present a polished preview to ownership and building management
After refining the design, I submitted the mockup to both Reinaldo and the CentroVilla building management team for approval. Once I got the green light, it was go time.
Prepping for Paint on Glass: Testing Before Committing
Painting on glass is its own animal. Unlike brick or drywall, glass doesn’t absorb paint the same way. Adhesion, opacity, and layering behave differently — and I wasn’t guessing.
To prep properly, I hit the thrift stores and picked up scrap glass panels to test materials and techniques.
Paints Tested:
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Tempera paint – Easy to apply, but not durable enough
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Acrylic paint – Better adhesion, solid color payoff
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Interior house paint – Strong coverage, excellent opacity on glass
I also tested:
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Layering white underneath color
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Opacity levels in direct sunlight
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Dry time between coats
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How cleanly black outlines would sit on top of color
This testing phase saved time on-site and ensured I wasn’t troubleshooting mid-mural.
The On-Site Process: Step by Step
Here’s how the final execution unfolded at CentroVilla:
1. Sketching the Template
Using a china marker, I sketched the template directly onto the storefront window. The china marker wipes clean but holds strong enough to guide linework — perfect for glass murals.
2. Base Layer: White for Opacity
I applied a base layer of white interior house paint first.
Why white?
Because on glass, colors can look translucent without a solid base. The white layer created brightness, contrast, and consistency across the entire mural.
3. Brand-Aligned Color Application
Once the base dried, I layered in colors consistent with Vintage & Vina’s branding. Keeping everything aligned with the shop’s identity was key — bold but intentional.
The goal wasn’t just decoration. It was storefront visibility, brand recognition, and curb appeal on West 25th.
4. Black Outline for Impact
Finally, I tied everything together with a strong black outline.
This is where it really came alive.
The black linework:
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Increased readability from a distance
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Added depth and contrast
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Gave it that bold, graphic, slightly gritty edge that reflects my style
The outline is what made it pop against the natural light and foot traffic at CentroVilla.
Why Custom Window Murals Matter for Small Businesses
A storefront window mural isn’t just art — it’s marketing.
For small businesses in Cleveland, especially in high-traffic areas like West 25th, a custom painted window:
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Attracts walk-in traffic
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Reinforces brand identity
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Creates social media moments
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Makes the space feel alive and intentional
And in a space like CentroVilla — which celebrates culture, entrepreneurship, and community — visual presence matters.
Final Thoughts
This mural was a blend of preparation, digital planning, hands-on experimentation, and old-school paint application.
Reinaldo trusted the process.
The building trusted the vision.
And the result speaks for itself.
Grateful to continue building visual stories in Cleveland — one window at a time.
If you’re a small business owner in Cleveland looking for a custom window mural, storefront art, or hand-painted branding installation, let’s talk.