Under the Desert Sun: Aaron Hansen’s Approach to Mural Protection

The Coachella Valley is known for its vibrant arts and entertainment scene, from Palm Springs’ mid-century glamour to the internationally renowned Coachella music festival. But beyond the seasonal spotlight, the region is sustained by the people who live and work there year-round. Between small business owners and craftspeople to laborers and artists who contribute to the communities where people live, learn and gather. Among them is Aaron Hansen, a Desert Hot Springs-based muralist and small business owner with more than 15 years of experience in the arts. Through his business, Murals, Letters and Colours, Hansen brings creative projects to life throughout the Coachella Valley, working across hand-painted signage, murals, sculpture refinishing and speciality finishes for commercial vehicles and art installations. Murals, Letters, Colours’ finished work at private residences and commercial businesses. Photo Courtesy of Aaron Hansen. His work reflects the versatility required of an independent artist. From murals in private residences and vacation rentals to logos for local businesses and organizations, Hansen’s projects span a range of settings, each with its own design requirements, materials, and practical considerations. Recently, Hansen connected with the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) to share one of his latest projects: an intricate exterior logo design for Desert Ridge Academy in Indio, California. A Project for the Community Desert Ridge Academy serves the local community with a commitment to students’ social, emotional and academic development. As the school underwent a rebranding, Hansen was tasked with bringing its updated identity to life on an exterior wall. Desert Ridge Academy and mural. Photo courtesy of Aaron Hansen. “The design at Desert Ridge Academy was one of the most intricate designs to finish for a school,” Hansen says. The project required careful execution, attention to detail, and a firm timeline. With the new school year approaching in August, completing the work on schedule was essential. Beyond producing a polished design, Hansen needed to ensure that the finished work would be protected against the environmental conditions of the Coachella Valley. For exterior murals and painted signage, the final stages of production are just as important as the work that comes before them. Once the design is complete, applying a protective clear coat helps safeguard the finished surface against exposure to the elements. Where graffiti is also a concern, an appropriate anti-graffiti coating can provide an additional layer of protection. For the Desert Ridge Academy project, Hansen incorporated both MuralShield and World’s Best Graffiti Coating into his finishing process. “[Desert Ridge Academy] rebranded, and the district always makes you put in your bid for a clear coat and graffiti coat on top of materials for a mural design,” he explains. “So it was a perfect combo that you guys make [MuralShield and World’s Best Graffiti Coating] work together.” Precision in the Final Coat Applying a protective finish is more than simply the last step in a mural project. The application method, equipment, and drying time can all influence how efficiently an artist completes the job. Applying MuralShield top coat to Desert Ridge Academy Mural. Photo and video courtesy of Aaron Hansen. For projects that demand precision, Hansen uses a High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray gun to apply coatings with control. His setup includes a 3M Paint Preparation System, which allows him to switch between cups and liners as he works. “It's easy,” Hansen says. “I have a 3M Paint Preparation System gun, cups and the liners switch out right away. As soon as I'm done with one gun, I can toss the liner and fill up the next one and shoot it.” This setup helps Hansen move through his application process without unnecessary interruptions. On a detailed project with a looming deadline, an efficient workflow matters, especially when the protective finish remains to be completed after the design itself is finished. Hansen uses the same approach to apply MuralShield. Designed as a clear protective coating for murals, MuralShield helps protect artwork from damaging ultraviolet (UV) exposure. For exterior work in Southern California, where painted surfaces face prolonged sunlight, protecting the finished design is an important consideration in the mural production process. Hansen also appreciates the coating's application characteristics. “At the very end of the mural process, if you made a mistake, you just threw yourself back. But I like MuralShield because it's so thin, and it dries very quickly,” he shares. Finishing the Job in the Desert Heat In the Coachella Valley, outdoor mural work comes with an additional challenge: the heat. Summer temperatures can make physically demanding work even more taxing, especially when artists are trying to complete a project before a deadline. Planning the final stages of production becomes particularly important when the day’s work extends into the evening. Close-Up of Desert Ridge Academy’s logo. 9 x 8 ft. Photo Courtesy of Aaron Hansen. For Hansen, the Desert Ridge Academy project meant working through the final steps in temperatures approaching 110 degrees. After the detailed work of executing the design, he still needed to apply the protective coatings which he completed at night due to the brutal temperature. By that point, the ability to work efficiently was especially valuable. A finishing product that applies easily and dries quickly can help an artist manage the final stage of a long day without adding unnecessary delays. Despite the late-night desert heat, Hansen completed the MuralShield application on the 9 by 8 foot design in approximately 20 minutes. He noted that other clear coats can take up to an hour to dry, making MuralShield's quick drying time a welcome advantage as he worked to finish the project. When an artist has spent hours executing a detailed design, the final coat should support the work rather than unnecessarily prolong the process. Hansen's experience illustrates how the right application setup and protective products can help make the finishing stage more manageable, even under demanding conditions. Protecting Art That Serves the Community The greater Coachella Valley may be recognized for their tourism and entertainment industries, but local artists and small creative businesses also help shape the region's everyday identity. Their work appears in the places where people gather, learn, work, and build community. Through Murals, Letters and Colours, Hansen contributes to this creative landscape, bringing his skills to projects that serve both private clients and local institutions such as Desert Ridge Academy in Indio, California. For artists working on exterior murals and public artwork, completing the design is only part of the process. Protecting that work is another essential consideration, from selecting the appropriate coating to finding an application method that fits the project's needs. Aaron Hansen covering local mural with MuralShield. Image courtesy of Aaron Hansen. MuralShield and World's Best Graffiti Coating offer complementary options for artists looking to protect their finished work. As Hansen's experience demonstrates, the right finishing products can help artists navigate the demands of mural production and bring projects across the finish line. Ultimately, the goal is to create artwork that can continue to be experienced by the communities it serves. With careful execution and thoughtful protection, artists can give their work a stronger foundation for the years ahead. To learn more about artist Aaron Hansen and his work, visit his website. Written by Isa Moreno - Enjoying MuralShield? Share your story with us! Contact: info@sparcinla.org with Subject Line - MuralShield Stories

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Under the Desert Sun: Aaron Hansen’s Approach to Mural Protection

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