Carin Steen has created dozens of murals across Honduras, Guatemala, and beyond. Most projects begin at the request of teachers or community workers, with themes developed collaboratively alongside community members, students, and sponsors. In some cases, she also leads a series of workshops—such as exploring the history and cultural significance of mural painting—and invites participants to take part in the creative process.
Carin’s approach is flexible and guided by the needs and
circumstances of each community. At times, practical challenges—like
inaccessible walls or unstable ladders—can make direct participation in
painting unsafe, especially for younger helpers. Even so, children can still
play an active role by contributing ideas, discussing the theme, and exploring
ways to visually express their message. Teamwork is often encouraged through
alternative activities, such as painting on large sheets of paper or creating
collaborative collages.
After thoroughly developing the concept with the community,
Carin creates a digital design in Photoshop. She intentionally moves away from
conventional or stereotypical imagery, instead incorporating unexpected yet
recognizable elements that reflect the community’s identity—such as portraits
of local residents set against backgrounds that reference their history,
traditions, or challenges. The final design integrates insights gathered during
the workshops.
The design is then printed and transferred onto the wall
using a chalk grid. Once outlined, the painting process becomes similar to
“painting by numbers,” making it accessible for young participants to assist.
In 2020, Carin developed a step-by-step manual (in Spanish) to teach
children how to create murals. It has since been used with youth groups and
shared with NGOs, schools, and community workers interested in mural-making. A
free digital copy is available upon request (carinsteen @ yahoo.com).
The murals are painted with high-quality, washable latex
paint for durability and are finished with a protective acrylic varnish to
ensure they remain vibrant over time.
