herne bay mural application

hi, I’m Emily

I grew up not far from Herne Bay and am inspired by the opportunity to create a mural that celebrates the town and coastal character through its rich history and natural environment. My process always begins with research, exploring the stories, wildlife and details that make a place unique before developing hand-drawn concepts. I create murals that balance playful visual storytelling with clear composition, inviting people to discover something new each time they pass. I enjoy working collaboratively through the design process, ensuring the finished artwork feels authentic to both the place and its community.

I’m an illustrator and mural artist. My work is inspired by people, place and the stories that connect them. I create colourful, uplifting artwork that is joyful, encourages curiosity, discovery, conversation and a sense of belonging.

I’ve created 2 initial concepts to show how a mural might look. This would be subject to change through collaborative design.

These designs are inspired by the wildlife in the bay from the the sea birds & rock pools to the chalk reef and plant life. It would be great to include some of the names such as ‘serrated wrack’, ‘piddock’ and ‘tompot blenny’ to bring these species to the wall. I can also provide printed materials for people to use to spot the wildlife along the coast.

It would be interesting to bring some words into the design.

Concept 1 features my ‘patchwork’ style design. This allows for lots of different view’s of the coast with close up details and broader scenes nestled together. It also works well in a community workshop as individual’s can create a small window each which can then be interpreted into a whole design.

Concept 2 features a single scene in a more ‘flowing’ style design. Each segment of the wall would feature a special area of the coast, such as the rock pools, sea life, cliffs and the chalk reef. Large and smaller details combine so something new can be discovered on each visit.

Materials & Longevity

Given the exposed seafront location, I would use high-quality exterior paints and protective coatings designed for longevity in coastal environments. I would also use environmentally friendly materials. I use water based paints without aerosols and can apply UV protective varnish to prevent colour degradation.

Experience

I have delivered murals for councils, charities and community organisations, managing projects from research and concept development through to installation. In 2023-2024 I installed 2 murals for Worcestershire NHS A&E department managing a budget of £16,000 for a wall totalling 20m in length. I have also worked as part of a team to install a mural onto a metal surface inside HMP Downview in 2025. I recently installed a mural as part of the Love Newquay Door Art Trail in April 2026. This featured wildlife and scenes from the coastline. I often feature characters in my designs and can add people into the design to facilitate the narrative within the mural and help reflect the local community such as fishermen, walkers, residents, holiday makers and more. 

Why Herne Bay?

Having grown up not far from Herne Bay along the Kent and East Sussex coast, I have a personal connection to the area and its distinctive character. My initial research has explored its wildlife, fossils, maritime history and Victorian heritage, and I'm particularly interested in creating a mural that brings details from the shoreline into focus by celebrating the wildlife along the bay - encouraging residents and visitors to see the landscape with fresh eyes.

Approach

My work always begins with research. I enjoy uncovering the stories, history, wildlife and character that make a place unique before developing a series of hand-drawn concepts. I aim to create murals that are bold and welcoming from a distance, while rewarding closer inspection with layers of detail and texture. My work combines hand-drawn shapes, painted textures and simplified forms to create contemporary public artwork that encourages people to pause and connect with their surroundings.

For the Herne Bay mural I would collect reference materials such as information from the Kent Wildlife Trust. I would also collect information on local tales and stories and would like to weave this into a flowing scene that has impact as a whole and small details to uncover on every visit.

Community Engagement

Community engagement would play an important role in shaping the final design. I would facilitate a creative workshop that invites a local group to explore local stories and local wildlife from Herne Bay. It would be a chance to share memories and create some initial designs using collage of their favourite aspects of Herne Bay. These conversations would help inform the artwork, ensuring it reflects both the identity of the place and the people who use it.

See more of my mural projects here