Inspiring Conversations with Sotir Davidhi of Mural by Design LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sotir Davidhi

Hi Sotir, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a full-time muralist, and owner of Mural by Design, LLC based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have painted many interior and exterior murals, all commissioned for commercial, residential, and public spaces. Each one of my murals is uniquely designed and customized according to my clients’ needs and objectives. I have painted for decades, both here in the United States and abroad. My murals and artwork are on display across Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, South Carolina, Greece, and Albania. My love for art started when I was around seven years old when I was in elementary school in Albania. Albania is a beautiful Mediterranean country that borders Greece to the north and located on the coast of Adriatic and Ionian seas. I have vivid memories of the excitement and appreciation of the pictorial illustrations in my Abetare, my first-grade Albanian language book. The moment I opened that simple book I got hypnotized by the imaginary world that until then I was not aware existed. I started tracing some of the illustrations from the book and showed them around with excitement. After finishing my eighth grade, which was the end of compulsory education at that time, I participated in two art competitions in order to continue my education at the Art Liceum (a high school specializing in fine art). I graduated from the Art Liceum in Albania with a diploma in fine art painting and theatrical set design. After working as a surviving artist in Albania and Greece, I came to the United States and many years later I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Aquinas College. My international journey, life experiences, and education became the cornerstone of my artist career.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, neither the road nor the journey to where I am now have been smooth. I have lived in three countries, and all three cultures have one similar expression in common, “starving artist”, which resonates true only for the art professions. Like many artists, to survive financially, I had to learn and work other professions while at the same time trying to pursue my dream of becoming a professional muralist. In college I compromised my artistic dream and initially majored in web design, graphic design, and marketing; neither satisfied my inner drive to become a muralist. After transferring to three different colleges, I stayed true to my calling and majored in fine art. If I could convert my journey into a visual image, under each brush stroke that makes a beautiful mural there is a significant number of failed attempts on top of many years of costly training, sacrifices, and struggles. In other words, each finished mural that represents a successful accomplishment serves the tip of a large iceberg of struggles, pain, and sacrifices.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mural by Design LLC?
I specialize in customized murals. I established Mural by Design because I wanted to connect and collaborate directly with every client. What makes me proud of Mural by Design is that my clients are part of the journey from start to finish and they love the outcome. I invite every client to join me in creating beautiful, custom murals that are inspired by their needs and objectives. I listen to my clients to understand their story. I join them in their journey, and I use my creative imagination and artistic expertise to design and paint murals that bring them happiness, joy, and lifelong memories. I find profound joy in transforming surfaces and spaces into sources of happiness and beauty. My artistic style is unique. When I paint my murals, I compete only with the shape, texture, condition, size, space, and the climate. I intentionally design each mural to fit and flow with a specific wall and the space around that wall, so they are integrated to the point where they need each other to exist. I adjust my composition and artistic execution in ways that make surface imperfections or object intrusions to either disappear or accentuate the mural.

For example, when I designed and painted the 9 feet high by 35 feet long interior mural at Kelly’s Bar & Grill in Holland, Michigan, the seven wall sconces on the blank wall presented a challenge for the Lake Michigan scenery that the owners wanted. The owner’s objective was for patrons to have a view of the lake as if they were sitting on a porch overlooking the lake while dining in the restaurant. Instead of removing the light fixtures, I designed a mural that integrated seven unique light houses that can be seen around Lake Michigan and incorporated each wall sconce into each of the lighthouses. Additionally, I replaced the 60-watt bright white light bulbs with Edison’s warm 25-watt light bulbs. Everyone loves the mural. Kelly’s customers might think that the lights were installed perfectly to fuse with the light houses, but the reality is otherwise. I see and treat each mural as a unique opportunity to create an atmosphere and experience that draws people in and get them engaged. I live for such reactions and that is the inspiration for me to do more for my community. I make sure that my murals are painted on a properly prepared surface, and I use the best paint quality available on the market to ensure the longest lifespan possible for every mural. To learn more about my work and what my clients say, please visit https://www.muralbydesign.com.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
What helps me achieve and deliver such satisfaction is my personal artistic style that I have developed over many years of study and practice. My artistic expression is a combination of realism, impressionism, and theatrical set design. My murals feel very realistic when viewed from a certain distance and they change as the viewer gets closer and closer or walks along with the mural in either direction. This effect is a result of the bold abstract brush strokes that I use intentionally to capture motion, light, and create an enjoyable experience that engages the viewer. By design, my murals draw viewers and evoke emotions of lived experiences that they wish to relive through my paintings. My client’s satisfaction and amazement at my murals is the secret to my success. I accomplish this through understanding my clients and going beyond their expectations when I design and paint each custom mural. For me, doing what I am so passioned about is much more than what money can buy, it is an amazing transformative process filled with expressive energy, sweats and struggles that keeps me going. I feel alive and joyful while making progress in delivering another beautiful mural that brings happiness to many people.

Pricing:

• I try to be reasonably fare with my customers, so both parties are satisfied.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.muralbydesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muralbydesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muralbydesign/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muralbydesign/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MuralbyDesign
• Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/artists-and-artisans/muralbydesign-pfvwus-pf~563998739/__public