From Sorrow to Serenity: Painting a 9/11 Memorial Mural at Saint David the King Church

Bringing this to life took heart and care. Here’s how it came together:

• Muted Sunrise Palette: I spent hours blending soft sunrise tones, inspired by Impressionism’s delicate color play—think early morning light, not a blazing sunset. These hues needed to feel comforting, like a quiet invitation to reflect. My experience with decorative finishes helped me layer them to glow with warmth and calm.

• Sunlight Rays: The rays flaring from the gold cross were central. I painted them to radiate outward, framing the granite slabs and tying the memorial together with a sense of divine, hopeful light.

• Angels with Grace: The angels needed to feel both strong and gentle. Merging Baroque’s dramatic lighting with Impressionist’s softer edges, I gave them flowing robes and a tender presence, like guardians watching over the slabs with love.

• Ethereal Clouds: The clouds set the heavenly tone. I layered them for depth, using Impressionist-inspired brushwork to create a serene, vast sky where peace could exist.

• Doves of Peace: Scattered across the mural, the doves added lightness. They’re small but powerful, carrying the message that peace is possible, even after tragedy.

Father Jason was a partner in this, offering feedback that kept the mural true to the community’s needs. His trust made it a true collaboration. When it was done, the mural transformed that once-blank beige wall, framing the granite slabs, steel crosses, and inscribed names, giving context for those new to 9/11’s story while offering solace to those who lived it. It’s a place to sit, breathe, and feel connected to something greater.

This project reminded me why I love what I do. Whether I’m creating custom wall art for a New Jersey office, painting a mural for a Bucks County spa, or designing a canvas piece for a home, art has the power to tell stories and touch hearts. This mural is a piece of my heart on that wall—a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find light.

If you’re thinking about adding a mural or custom art to your space, let’s talk. Whether it’s a residential wall transformation, a decorative finish for a restaurant, or a canvas piece that tells your story, I’m here to make it meaningful. The 9/11 memorial mural at Saint David the King Church showed me, once again, that art can heal, inspire, and bring us together. I hope it brings peace to everyone who visits.

Some projects leave a lasting mark on your soul, and the 9/11 memorial mural at Saint David the King Church is one I’ll carry forever. This wasn’t just about painting a wall—it was about creating a space where people could sit, reflect, and find peace while honoring a day that changed countless lives. As an artist working across Bucks County and New Jersey, I’ve poured my heart into many murals, but this one was special. Here’s how it came to life.

When I first saw the church’s lobby, the wall was a blank piece of beige, interrupted only by two large black granite slabs, installed vertically about two feet apart. Each slab was inscribed with the names of parishioners lost on 9/11, with pieces of steel from the Twin Towers, shaped into crosses, embedded within. These slabs stood as a solemn representation of the Twin Towers themselves. A large gold cross stretched between them, tying the memorial together with a symbol of faith and remembrance. Father Jason wanted a mural to unify it all, painted in the space between the granite and across the entire wall. His vision was clear: it couldn’t feel heavy or somber. The lobby was alive with kids and young adults who might not fully grasp 9/11’s impact, but it was also a place where grieving families came to reflect. My goal was to craft a space that invited visitors to pause, sit, and find calm, balancing education with solace.

Meeting with Father Jason, I absorbed his ideas. He had a passion for both Baroque art, with its dramatic light and grandeur, and Impressionism, with its soft, emotive brushstrokes and gentle hues. Those influences lit a spark. Standing before that beige wall, the space seemed to share its story. I envisioned Manhattan from above, as if seen from the heavens, bathed in muted sunrise colors—soft pinks, golds, and oranges, not bold, but warm and hopeful, like the glow of a new dawn. To unify the memorial, I pictured sunlight rays radiating from the gold cross, flaring out behind the granite slabs, casting a serene, glowing light.

The vision grew: angels cradling the space where the granite slabs stood, surrounded by billowing clouds and doves soaring through the sky. The doves, symbols of peace, would remind everyone that even after profound loss, there’s a way forward. The angels, blending Baroque elegance with Impressionist softness, framed the slabs not as a reminder of destruction, but as a testament to enduring love and resilience. This mural was about lifting up what remains: hope, community, and the strength to rebuild.

Saint David the King Church is located at 1 New Village Road, Princeton Junction, NJ. If you'd like to see the mural in person, please call the office at 609-275-7111 to check on hours of operation.