Brazil in WA Mural Art

by mari salmonson

Completed On: 02/23/2026

Brazil in WA | marisalmonson | mari salmonson - realism, nature, inspirational, private, residential, kidsroom | Beautify

Mural size:

42 ft x 6 ft

About this mural:

This mural was commissioned with a clear intention to bring Brazil into the family’s daily life here in Washington. As a multicultural household, with an American father, a Brazilian mother, and children connected to both cultures, the goal was to create a visual narrative that keeps Brazilian identity present in a natural and lived way. We developed the concept around the life cycle of the blue macaw, which works as the central thread of the piece. Across the walls, you can see the nest, the chicks, the growing bird, and its later stage of life. This creates continuity throughout the space. Still, telling the story only through the macaws felt incomplete, so I introduced other elements to expand the narrative into what became Brazil in four acts, unfolding across the four walls. Each wall represents a different ecosystem. The first brings in the Atlantic Forest, with the jaguar, toucan, and macaws. Then the narrative shifts into a more fluid and symbolic space with the pink river dolphin, a snake, and a small orange bird. Moving forward, the capybara appears, grounding the composition. Then we arrive in the Caatinga, with mandacaru cacti and the armadillo, introducing a different rhythm and landscape. The final wall returns to the macaws, now surrounded by a cashew tree and dense foliage, closing the cycle. The mural functions as both environment and story. It is something the children can grow with, recognize, and reinterpret over time, building a sense of belonging through image, memory, and everyday contact with these elements.

Styles used:

inspirationalnaturerealism

Clients:

kidsroomprivateresidential

Location:

198 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033 US

mari salmonson

Mari Salmonson is a Brazilian contemporary artist based in the United States whose work investigates identity, memory, and the symbolic relationships between body, land, and culture. Drawing from the visual and narrative richness of Brazil, her practice translates elements of fauna, flora, and folklore into compositions that feel both intimate and archetypal. Her work is rooted in the idea that art can function as a form of presence — a way of observing, registering, and reinterpreting lived experience. Through painting, murals, and digital media, she constructs visual narratives that connect personal memory to collective imagination, often exploring themes of belonging, transformation, and the invisible ties that shape who we are. Mari’s artistic language is marked by tropical iconography, organic forms, and a balance between graphic structure and atmospheric depth. Animals, natural elements, and human figures frequently appear as symbolic carriers of emotion and story, creating layered pieces that invite contemplation while remaining accessible. She has developed projects across Brazil and internationally, including exhibitions, public murals, and collaborations that bring Brazilian cultural references into new geographic and cultural contexts. Her work has been featured in exhibitions and urban spaces, as well as in interdisciplinary projects connecting art, design, and storytelling. In parallel to her studio practice, Mari is also engaged in initiatives that support artists and expand access to art, working at the intersection of creative development, education, and cultural exchange. Her work ultimately proposes art as a space of reconnection — to oneself, to one’s origins, and to the broader narratives that shape our collective identity.