In this special interview, we chat with talented muralist Lance Khoury about his creative process, how he approaches large public artworks, and what it was like to reimagine The Deckle Edge’s beloved mermaid for her new home on Queen Street. Lance also shares his thoughts on collaborating with clients, the energy of Knysna’s art scene, and what it takes to create murals that inspire and leave a lasting impression.
Deckle Edge: What do you enjoy most about creating murals?
Lance Khoury: Large format work like murals that are often in a public setting offer a unique challenge and opportunity to me. The first is the physical challenge, access to the site, weather and most importantly, creating a composition that works well for intended viewing angle. I thrive on working with clients to find just the right thing for each situation and it’s one of the most engaging aspects of mural making. As with all art projects, I prefer not to be distracted by questions about outcomes or the future possibilities of it being painted over or destroyed, these are factors outside my control so they no longer play much part in my thinking.
Mostly I concentrate on the design and then the process of execution as these are the elements that bring me joy.
Deckle Edge: What are your thoughts on our move to the new location on Queen Street?
Lance Khoury: I’m very pleased with the new location, I think the layout and access is great and it’ll be far easier to explore. It helps that the new landlord/owner seems to be doing a great job of uplifting the whole area.
Deckle Edge: How do you manage working with clients who are pretty specific about what they want in a mural?
Lance Khoury: Specificity in the client’s vision for a project is usually very helpful. In that sense it’s a true collaboration and I’m happy to largely be the vehicle for their imagination to come to life. Lately I’ve really enjoyed exploring the notion that art is more about becoming a conduit for Creativity than as an expression of the self.
Deckle Edge: Does it ever feel like a lot of pressure trying to bring their vision to life while still adding your own style?
(With the new mural, you had the challenge of continuing the mermaid theme but also making it clear she’s now the ‘Queen Mermaid’ of Knysna. How did you approach that?)
Lance Khoury: No, I don’t feel it as a pressure in the negative sense, it’s more of an opportunity to expand, to cast a net so to speak and see what comes back. I think each person who becomes engaged with the arts over time naturally develops their own quirks and characteristic traits that begin to define a style. It seems to an organic natural development that evolves over time.
By casting the net, I mean doodling ideas that occur, browsing imagery that stimulates imagination in the direction intended and being open to new ideas and input along the way. That which resonates, stays and becomes part of the finished work.
Deckle Edge: Did you feel any extra pressure trying to make it even better than the original mural?
Lance Khoury: I always want to be better than before.
Deckle Edge: What excites you about contributing to the creative energy in Knysna, especially with places like The Deckle Edge being part of it?
Lance Khoury: I remember the impact that seeing brilliant street art in the UK had on me, the motivation to improve, to do something like that was really fuelled by encountering things way beyond what I imagined I could do. It became fuel for my own practice, inspiration.
I hope that my murals have an uplifting and inspirational effect on viewers and are a source of enjoyment and part of the charm of this beautiful town.
Deckle Edge: What art supplies do you use to create a mural, especially those from The Deckle Edge?
Lance Khoury: I use acrylic inks for my airbrush, along with an extender to keep the ink flowing smoothly without clogging the nozzle. For details, I rely on an assortment of brushes and often use Posca pens for outlining.
Deckle Edge: What tips can you share with someone who’d like to create their own mural at home?
Lance Khoury: For a first-time mural project at home, I’d suggest going with relatively simple shapes — maybe a big floral or leaf design. Make sure the base coat is compatible with the other paints you plan to use. An easy way to ensure this is to buy all colours from the same brand. For example, use a litre of PVA for the base coat and add sample tin colours to keep costs down. This approach works well for interior murals, but sample tins don’t have UV protection, so they’re best for indoor use.
For outdoor or longer-lasting projects, I’d recommend using exterior-rated paint, like Plascon Expressions, and getting a litre of each basic colour to ensure there’s enough paint for the entire project. Murals generally take more time than expected, so be prepared.
Drawing the design on the wall is another step where technique matters. I use white chalk to sketch, as it leaves no permanent marks and is easy to adjust. I usually freehand my designs, but gridding the wall or projecting an image can work, though projecting isn’t always practical outdoors or for large-scale work.
Deckle Edge: Is an airbrush essential for murals, and is it difficult to learn?
Lance Khoury: I use an airbrush with acrylic inks for specific effects, but it’s not a must. It does take some practice, but it’s worth trying for those interested in experimenting with finer details in a mural.
Deckle Edge: You mentioned getting mural requests from people while you were painting our mural. If someone’s interested in commissioning their own mural, what’s the best way for them to get in touch with you?
Lance Khoury: Seeing someone actually in the process of creating definitely seems to galvanise action. My signature on the painting has my instagram handle, @lancepaint and my contact no: 0609887575. People are welcome to contact me that way.
Deckle Edge: Is there anything else you would like to share with our customers or readers about yourself ?
Lance Khoury: Make Art, Do Good.
Lance’s passion for public art and his thoughtful approach to creating murals have left a lasting impression on Knysna. His ability to merge client visions with his own creative flair continues to inspire, and his new Queen Mermaid mural for The Deckle Edge is sure to captivate all who see it. We’re honoured to have his work be part of our journey in Knysna’s vibrant art community.