Muriel Baker, aged 94 and living in Meare near Glastonbury, always dreamed of having a garden but knew she couldn’t maintain one due to her age. Instead of tending to plants, she decided to have a beautiful garden mural painted on the wall of her home.
The artwork, created by local artist Jon Minshull, transforms Muriel’s garden wall into a vibrant scene filled with trees, roses, butterflies, and even a robin and a deer. Jon carefully incorporated details requested by Muriel to bring the mural to life.
“It’s wonderful. I can look outside and feel like I’m sitting in a real garden, without any of the work of weeding or watering,” Muriel shared. “People come from far and wide to see it. They’re amazed by the detail and how lifelike it is.”
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This mural is not Muriel’s first collaboration with Jon. Last spring, he painted a farmhouse scene on another wall featuring her father milking cows, based on a photograph she provided. Together, both murals cost around £2,000—a price Muriel says was “well worth it.”
Jon, who is 61 and has painted thousands of murals across the UK and the US, notes that this is the first time he has created artwork for someone of Muriel’s age. He explained that the project was particularly rewarding because the mural brought joy and a sense of connection to Muriel’s life.
“She has a small garden, so she wanted a nice view. Seeing her face when the mural was finished made it all worthwhile,” Jon said. “Bringing happiness to people is why I do this.”
The murals brighten not only Muriel’s home but also the local community, drawing visitors who admire Jon’s nature-inspired art throughout Glastonbury. As Muriel awaits sunny days, she enjoys the comfort of her painted garden without ever needing to pick up a trowel.