In our increasingly digital world, where algorithms generate art and AI dominates creative spaces, there's something special about the real thing. Traditional art—with its imperfections and the artist's personal touch— stands as a powerful counterpoint to our screen-dominated lives. When marketing feeds are endless and every surface seems to host a digital display, a real brushstroke, the texture of clay, or something genuinely handmade feels more meaningful than ever. It's like finding an actual potato after a lifetime of only seeing potato emojis—surprisingly satisfying.
Computers can now create but they are not creative. To be creative you need to have some awareness and some understanding of what you've done. AIs know nothing whatsoever about the images and words they generate. — Kirby Ferguson, Freethink.com
Beyond Digital Saturation
The branding world has gone digital-crazy, and big corporations have muscled their way into controlling our visual environment. Sure, outdoor advertising still pulls in $9 billion yearly, but look who's running the show: JCDecaux, Clear Channel, and a handful of others. When we actually look up from our phones, we're just seeing whatever Apple, McDonald's, and Amazon paid to put in front of us.
Meanwhile, small brands and independent artists are getting squeezed out of physical spaces, just like they have been online. That's exactly why custom murals and hand-painted work matter so much right now. No algorithm is climbing up scaffolding or feeling the weight of a brush in its hand. While people scroll past digital ads without a second thought, a well-crafted business mural becomes part of a neighborhood's identity for years – sometimes even generations.
Will Traditional Art Survive?
Despite all the digital art out there, traditional painting, sculpture, and drawing are still going strong. As Robert Marzullo points out: collectors and art lovers specifically seek out the unique qualities you only get from handmade work.
The AI hype machine is in overdrive with its grand promises, but there’s reason to be skeptical. Sure, AI can pump out impressive images, but it can't capture what makes something hand-crafted special. A Los Angeles mural or hand-painted sign creates connections with people that digital ads just can't touch, no matter how targeted they are. And let's be real – an AI might generate endless logo variations, but it'll never stay up too late while obsessing over the perfect shade of blue for your brand.
Art That Creates Real-World Connections
COSM Live Art Experience: For COSM's opening, we designed an interactive experiential art installation. Our professional mural artist worked live, demonstrating their process and engaging with guests in real time. This was about active participation in creation. The event attracted hundreds of people, with the majority engaging directly with the artist.
For Create & Cultivate's Every Little Thing event in Los Angeles, Pulling Paint designed multiple hand-painted event backdrops featuring phrases like: You are exactly where you need to be —a refreshing analog touch in an otherwise thoroughly digital experience. Our murals provided the perfect backdrop for attendees to capture moments of connection while networking between workshops on personal branding and entrepreneurship. The hand-painted elements brought warmth and texture to an event, proving that even in the most forward-thinking spaces, there's still something irreplaceable about art you can actually touch.
Our work with The Whole Child goes deeper than decoration in a way banner ads never could. Each custom wall mural was carefully planned, considering the physical space, natural lighting, and emotional impact. Themes of nature, play, and resilience emerged from community conversations, creating visual stories that become part of people's daily lives—not just another ad to scroll past faster than your dating app rejects.
For Chromasonic, we designed custom signage that complemented their immersive art experience—guiding visitors without distracting them from the sensory journey. At Flowin Cafe, traditional hand-lettering techniques created signs that feel authentic and timeless in ways digital displays cannot. The Bananas mural in Mar Vista shows how public art becomes woven into a neighborhood's identity, creating brand recognition and emotional connections that digital advertising, despite all its targeting capabilities, struggles to achieve.
Why We Do This
We believe commercial art offers something increasingly rare—a chance for brands to exist in the physical world where customers actually live. Whether it's a large-scale mural transforming a space, hand-lettered signage adding personality, or a live art experience creating memorable moments, we're committed to supporting brands that understand the power of tangible creativity.
Experience the difference between hand-painted art in your brand strategy. Reach out to discuss your Southern California mural project and bring authentic craftsmanship to your marketing mix.
Visit us at www.pullingpaintmurals.com to see more of our hand-painted projects in Los Angeles and meet our team of professional mural artists.
