Hello! I am Holly Johnson, and I create wall murals and paintings for children. I collaborate with parents and their kids to transform ordinary rooms into magical backdrops for sleep and play.

I founded Cheeky Monkey in 2003, while exploring options for decorating my first son’s nursery. I saw an opportunity to create a fresh, new style in children’s murals---one that would both dazzle little ones and appeal to the sophisticated and contemporary tastes of their parents. I left my career in art museums and plunged into the painting business--first with children’s murals, and then expanding to include lovey portraits and whimsical paintings on canvas.

I have been a painter since I was a young child, with inspiration and genes from my grandparents who were both prolific painters. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, PA. As a college student, I studied painting at the Lorenzo De’Medici School in Florence, Italy, as well as the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. Most recently, I earned a Masters in Business Administration from Boston University, with a certificate in non-profit management.

Painting is my life’s passion, and every project I do for a child becomes my own “baby” for a time. I look forward to working with you to make your child’s room a beautiful place for your child to grow.

A hand-painted mural brings to life your dream of the most unique and imaginative surrounding for your child’s room. A mural is typically painted directly on the wall with washable house paint, and will last as long as you choose to keep it. Your design may be as delicate and simple as a name with a few flowers, or as bold as a full wall mural that embraces an entire room---and anything in between. A mural is your child’s personal work of art, that allows you to capture and reflect your child’s delights in a special and meaningful way.

Murals often provide the finishing touches in a room that is already beautifully decorated---making the room unique to your child and family. Or, a mural can bring beauty and finish to a simple room, or unify an eclectic mix of decor. A themed mural may serve as the focal point of the room, while a simple design or border can provide a more neutral backdrop that is likely to grow with your child for years to come. As you can see, there are many ways that a mural can enliven a child’s room, and the fun is in designing the best possible solution together!