A little colour, a lot of care: Meet Mrs Murals

Picture of Ellie (Mrs Murals) painting the wall while on a ladder.
Picture of Ellie (Mrs Murals) smiling with Bernie, the Charity Engagement Coordinator, in front of the painted wall at the CDC.

From the sea to the city and the moors, a series of beautiful murals is helping to make Plymouth's new Community Diagnostic Centre a more welcoming place for patients, visitors and staff.

And behind the artwork is an artist who has spent months bringing a little extra colour, creativity and calm to the building.

Known professionally as Mrs Murals, the Plymouth artist was commissioned by Plymouth Hospitals Charity to create a series of specially designed murals throughout the centre.

But these aren't the sort of paintings that demand your attention. With their gentle colours, subtle shapes and carefully hidden details, they're designed to be discovered and enjoyed.

Each floor has its own theme, celebrating Plymouth and the surrounding area. The ground floor takes inspiration from the ocean, the middle floor reflects the city, while the second floor celebrates the moors.

Look a little closer, though, and you'll find some delightful surprises. A heart incorporated into a design near cardiology, for example, or tiny snails and curling ferns inspired by the workings of the ear in audiology.

It's all part of Mrs Murals' determination to create something that is not only beautiful but makes a difference to the people using the building.

Mrs Murals explained: "There's a lot that I've painted in waiting rooms; it's calm, it's subtle, it's a relaxing environment, but it gives a bit of interest for people to sort of have a look at and see and just discover things."

For some patients, attending a hospital appointment can be an anxious experience. The hope is that these calming designs will provide a welcome distraction and help make their surroundings feel a little less clinical.

And it's a project that has clearly meant a great deal to the artist herself.

Having spent months working alongside staff at the centre, Mrs Murals says she's come to feel part of the team. She's also been delighted by the reaction to her work.

Reflecting on what she hopes the murals will achieve, she said: "I hope it helps people and their journeys here, I really do. And if it does and if people say it does, then I'm happy."

Plymouth Hospitals Charity is proud to have commissioned the artwork as part of its commitment to making hospitals more hospitable, supporting those thoughtful extras that can make a real difference to people's experience of care.

Watch Mrs Murals bring the walls to life

We caught up with Mrs Murals as she put the finishing touches to her work, to discover the inspiration behind the designs, the stories hidden within them and why this particular project has meant so much to her.

Watch our film and take a closer look at the artwork that's helping to transform Plymouth's Community Diagnostic Centre.

https://youtu.be/ZEjKIRR_mwE?si=50W91sBeNb4eX1Ju


If you’d like to help support more projects like this, there are lots of ways you can get involved and help make a difference at your hospital.

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