Isle of Palms Magazine Winter 2016-17

9 / 34

9 | |
“I’m an artist, not a criminal,” she af-
firmed. “I do this professionally all over.
I believe that there is a movement for
street art taking place.”
Kruesi appreciates the “challenge”
of painting walls and said the bigger
the wall, the happier she is to paint
it. Back in California, she painted a
large mural of a wave while on tour
as a kite-surfer and began “making a
name for herself ” in the state. Then,
on a trip home to South Carolina for
her mother’s birthday, she painted a
surprise mural at her family’s home on
the Isle of Palms as a gift.
“It’s a turtle,” she explained, “be-
cause my mother loves turtles.”
While painting the beautiful turtle
mural on the side of the house she grew up in, Kruesi was
struck with the inspiration to create another piece of art
specifically for her hometown. She mentioned her idea
to a few of her local acquaintances, and the plan for the
restroom mural was soon born.
“I put it out there locally, and a family friend suggested
the public restrooms,” she said. “I thought it was an awe-
some opportunity.”
Above and below: Gretta Kruesi works on a mural in Santa Monica, California.
When I asked if she’d had a
tough time getting city officials to
agree to the project, Kruesi assured me
that she’s a pro at red tape.
“I’m no stranger to the municipal
process of getting a mural done,” she
declared. “I drafted a proposal of the
project, even got my insurance and my
business license. I’m happy to jump
through hoops to do something cool
in my hometown.”
As far as what, precisely, the mural
will look like, Kruesi was a bit secretive
about the exact image. She’d not quite
started the painting on the day we
met, but she had her ideas narrowed
down.
“I like to do monochromatic piec-
es, and I will for this mural,” she said. “The weather ele-
ments will wear it down, but the look will be enhanced,
like an antique.”
Though she’s glad to be home with her son for the time
being, Kruesi said that her plan is to be bi-coastal and
divide her time between California and the Isle of Palms.
“I have other projects to go back to in Los Angeles,”
she said.