Local adds a splash of colour and vibrancy to the Shire
COLOURFUL MURALS
From coral reefs to geometric patterns, Valentina Pinorini truly makes our Shire a more colourful place with her stunning murals.
Though she began her artistic journey with pencils as a child, it wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic hit that she discovered her true passion for painting with acrylics.
And boy, has she been busy! From the coral reefs at Coral Beach Lodge to the geometric patterns on the roller door of Nectar, Valentina has been creating breathtaking murals all around town.
“The Coral Beach Lodge mural features colourful animals and the coral reef, while the Nectar mural posed a challenge due to the roller door,” she told Newsport.
“With the help of Bec, one of the owners of Nectar, I learned a lot and created a beautiful design to make the entrance look nice.
“I usually go to see the wall in person and I talk a little bit with my client about their vision, what they want to express and if there is a colour palette they prefer.
“I always try to listen to my clients, their ideas and their style. At the end of the day, I just want them to be happy with the process and to enjoy it.”
Artistic inspiration; father’s legacy
Ms Pinorini credits her father for instilling in her a love for art and nurturing her artistic abilities from a young age.
Her father, a skilled artist himself, always saw art as a hobby rather than a profession, and he encouraged Ms Pinorini to pursue her dreams and not make the same mistake he did.
She fondly recalls her father's advice to "fight for your dreams" and to never give up on something she truly wanted.
“These words of wisdom have stayed with me and served as a source of strength and inspiration throughout my artistic journey.
“Every time I finish a mural I dedicate it to him. I think he is living his dream through me and that makes me want to keep going, it is a beautiful thing we share.”
A dream destination
Solo travelling since she was 18 years old, Ms Pinorini, who is originally from Argentina, always had Australia high on her bucket list.
After overhearing fellow travellers discussing Port Douglas during her stay at a hostel in Bondi Beach, she decided to follow her intuition and booked a plane ticket to the unknown destination the next day.
“I moved to Port Douglas without knowing anything about this place and without looking at any photo, and believe me I was not disappointed when I arrived.
“This place made me feel like home for the first time, Port Douglas is a magical place for sure.”
Bringing Douglas’ streets to life
That her artwork catches on with the locals proves as Ms Pinorini recently received a heartfelt message from a local resident, recognizing the impact her art has on the community.
“The woman said that this area needs someone who brings life to the streets of Port Douglas and that really moved me,” Ms Pinorini said.
“I believe art is supposed to bring joy to our lives, just walking around and looking at colours in every corner makes your day brighter without even noticing.
“I think my dream mural would be something related to nature. I love painting whales, trees, fishes and waves.
“I hope to create more designs along the main street in Port Douglas and I imagine myself looking at tourist photos in the future with my murals as a backdrop.”
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