Mural Nomad: Empowering Passion
It takes courage to step away from the cycle of path taken by many others before us. To carve a new one so vividly that it inspires others to do the same is a life’s purpose alone. Patrycja “PJ” Hannagan—widely known as Mural Nomad—is one of those people. Nowadays her journey provides awe and wonder to those who feel inadequate to follow their passions. However, it originated from the accumulation of courage to choose differently. To choose to transform a van into a mobile studio and to live fully in her passion for art.
With a brush in her hand and the horizon ahead of her, PJ is bringing colour, story, and connection to nature - one wall at a time.
The Leap: From Office to Open Roads
PJ was born in Poland, raised in Italy, and eventually found herself in Australia, balancing business roles with her artistic side. For years, she worked the traditional hours 9-5: account management, office duties, the predictable rhythm of routine. Yet every spreadsheet and meeting was a reminder that her soul lived elsewhere—in the strokes of paint, in the sketches that spilled from her imagination, in the way colours could transform a dull wall into something alive.
For a while, art existed in the margins of her life—weekend workshops, stolen hours at night, small commissions squeezed in between deadlines. But passion has a way of pushing against boundaries until they break. In 2021, after Brisbane floods disrupted her home and daily stability, PJ and her husband Ben made a choice: to embrace uncertainty, to load up a van with paint and ladders, and to live on the road.
What could have been viewed as loss became liberation. Instead of waiting for the “perfect time,” PJ trusted her art and her instincts. She posted offers in local communities, exchanged murals for opportunities to paint, and quickly discovered demand for her bold, uplifting style. With now over 100 murals around the country and prospects to create globally, it is not just artistic ambition. It is a declaration: that one can live authentically, create vibrantly, and contribute meaningfully all at once.
The full description by PJ as follows,
‘“Blindfolded Future”, depicts a vibrant scene that invites viewers to reflect on the intergenerational impact of past decisions on our planet’s future. At its centre is a young girl, blindfolded with a vintage 70’s-patterned cloth, symbolizing the consequences of previous generations’ actions, such as climate change. Behind her, a vibrant sunset and lush natural scenery represent the beauty of the world we risk obscuring from the next generation through over-reliance on technology. Around her head, sparrows in flight embody society’s anxieties about the uncertain future, their movements reflecting our collective concerns and their volatility. Meanwhile, native gum tree flowers adorning the margins pay homage to the Australian landscape, grounding the mural in its local context and emphasising the importance of environmental stewardship. ‘Blindfolded Future’ serves as both a reminder of past missteps and a call to action for a more mindful and sustainable future, inviting viewers to contemplate their role in protecting the beautiful world we live in.
A Call to Action
The featured artwork is a piece by PJ in Annerley, Brisbane called, “Blindfolded Future”. It had caught my eye while driving past and I was incredibly curious about the blind-folded little girl surrounded by beautiful, vibrant colours and wonderfully pictured wildlife.
The first thing that struck me was the message. What was the Mural Nomad’s intention behind this artwork? Given that I had already embarked on my own journey of creating Society’s Whispers, I felt compelled to find out about this blind fold. PJ, kindly explained,
‘It is about the current generation being blind to nature and all the wonderful things it has to offer. They are blind due to the actions of past generations.’
No Greater Inspiration than Nature Itself
PJ is inspired by the beauty in the world around us, like a Yogi, she notices the detail and vibrancy of life. This magic is harnessed and utilised in her works.
Like any mural, the first thing that usually strikes is the magnitude of scale. A notable testament to PJ’s talent as she has all but perfected sweeping lines, vivid block colours, accurate proportions for realism portrayed works and compositions that simply mustn’t be ignored.
PJ’s unique mural artistry is energetic and graceful, yet holds a profound intention. Clean, confident outlines that echo the shapes of nature, interlaced with bursts of texture and contrast mimicking the world she has gathered throughout her experience.
Every journey on the road gifts her new imagery for musings. The contrast of Australia’s colours are unique and contribute to vivacious backdrops all over the country. Her murals do not impose, they harmonise with the environment. Kookaburras darting across the sky, native wildflowers pushing through the red dust, quendas rustling through undergrowth. For PJ, these aren’t just visual motifs; they are invitations to translate the essence of place onto a wall.
As for the colours. The deep oranges and reds she often uses channel the warmth of outback sunsets. Her cool blues and teals evoke ocean horizons and twilight skies. The large, bold outlines in her work mimic the unfiltered strength of nature itself - raw, unapologetic, commanding presence. Each line feels almost like a boundary carved by rivers or the silhouette of a gum tree against the sun.
This fusion of design and natural inspiration doesn’t just beautify - it reconnects. Communities see their local wildlife celebrated. Travellers are reminded of the vast diversity of the Australian landscape. Residents find pride in the images that represent their home, painted with energy and reverence.
PJ once shared that when we’re surrounded by colour, our mood shifts. And it’s true - science echoes her lived experience: colour affects psychology, and environments rich in art and vibrancy can reduce stress and enhance well-being. Her murals prove this daily.
Pursuing Passion
PJ’s story isn’t exclusive to her - it’s about what happens when anyone chooses to pursue their passion fully. The ripple effects are immense.
Personal Liberation
Leaving a secure job to live in a van and chase murals was no small decision. Yet in doing so, PJ reclaimed her time, energy, and creativity. She no longer squeezed her art into the edges of life—she built her life around art. For anyone considering a leap, her story demonstrates that passion is not indulgence; it is alignment.
Inspiration for Others
PJ’s journey tells people—especially women navigating expectations of security and “stability”—that it’s possible to choose differently. By showing up authentically and unapologetically, she becomes a role model for others who are tired of waiting for permission to follow their own dreams.
Community Impact
Each mural PJ paints becomes part of a town’s identity. Residents talk about it, schools visit it, visitors photograph it. In places where grey walls once stood, there is now vibrancy, pride, and sometimes even healing. A hospital ward transformed by a mural doesn’t just look different—it feels different, offering patients and staff alike a moment of levity.
Purpose Beyond Self
PJ donates part of each commission to the Black Dog Institute, linking her art to mental health advocacy. For her, pursuing passion isn’t about escaping responsibility—it’s about redefining it. Art becomes activism; murals become medicine. Pursuit of her passions now enables PJ to give back to society in a meaningful way.
What can we take from PJ’s journey?
Start where you are. PJ began by painting with leftover supplies and local contacts. You don’t need perfection - you need momentum.
Let passion guide design. Her art isn’t calculated for trend - it’s rooted in what moves her: nature, colour, vibrancy. Passion produces authenticity, and authenticity resonates.
Your courage empowers others. When you choose differently, you don’t just liberate yourself - you show others that they can too.
Beauty is practical. A mural might seem “extra,” but it can boost tourism, lift community morale, and improve mental health. Following your passion often produces tangible results.
Nature is the ultimate teacher. PJ’s creative process reminds us that inspiration is everywhere - in the way sunlight cuts across land, in the pattern of feathers, in the curve of a leaf. By slowing down and observing, we find endless sources of creativity.
‘Passion isn’t indulgence, it’s alignment.’
Looking Ahead
Each mural carries a story: of the land, of the people, of the moment she painted it. Beyond the walls, she dreams of compiling these works into a book—a record not only of art, but of a journey lived fully. She also mentors others, ensuring the road she paved with courage becomes one others can walk with more ease.
Her journey is a reminder: the pursuit of passion doesn’t just serve the individual—it strengthens communities, it uplifts spirits, and it reconnects us to what truly matters.
Closing Thoughts
The story of Mural Nomad is the story of choosing differently. It’s about trusting colour over conformity, passion over predictability, freedom over familiarity.
Every mural she leaves behind isn’t just art—it’s evidence that you can step away from what doesn’t serve you, that you can create a life anchored in joy, and that in doing so, you invite others to re-imagine their own paths.
If you’ve ever felt called to something wilder, more vibrant, more authentic, let PJ’s story be your spark. The walls are waiting, the colours are ready, and so is your life.
Mentorships & Retreats are Available with PJ
