I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph this almost as soon as it had been completed but for a variety of reasons my photographs were not as good as they could have been because I used a 15mm F4.5 super-wide-angle lens which resulted in an unacceptable level of distortion which I could not correct for at the time. In July 2018 I photographed it again and reprocessed the photographs in August 2925 as I had come across more information about the artist and her work. In August 2025 I was able to photograph day by day the creation of a replacement Mural by French artist Nerone and this time my equipment was much more suitable for the task.
From Galicia to the Walls: The Artistic Journey of Lula Goce
The story begins with the original mural’s creator, Lula Goce. A Spanish artist with a distinctive path, her work is uniquely informed by her formal academic background and a profound connection to the natural world. Born in Galicia, Spain, her early life was shaped by the “salty coastal air, barnacles, drizzle and the beautiful beaches” of the region. This influence is deeply woven into her artistic identity.
Goce’s journey is notable for its rigorous academic foundation. She graduated in fine arts with a specialisation in painting from Salamanca and continued her advanced studies in Barcelona, earning both a Master’s and a PhD in artistic creation. This extensive training set her apart, blurring the lines between the conventional art world and the dynamic urban environment. Her move from the structured gallery setting to the street was, in her own words, a “revelation”. She found a profound appeal in the direct interaction with the public and the “muscularity” required to create large-scale public pieces.
Her style is characterised by “powerfully evocative and huge photorealistic scenes” that employ bright colours and a strong expressiveness. A recurring motif is the integration of people and nature, a thematic choice that adds a poetic and inspiring dimension to her creations.
Flowers on O’Connell Street
Lula Goce’s contribution to the 2017 Waterford Walls Festival was a significant addition to the city’s burgeoning outdoor gallery. Titled “Flowers on O’Connell Street,” the mural was painted on a prominent location at the rear of Dooley’s Hotel. The creation of this artwork took place during the festival’s third and largest year, which featured 40 artists from five continents. Goce’s process was notably challenging due to persistent heavy rain. An interesting detail is her use of durable emulsion house paint, designed to last for a decade or more. The fact that the mural would eventually be replaced, despite the use of a long-lasting material, is a crucial point that highlights the festival’s overarching philosophy.
Navigating the Urban Canvas: A Street Photographer’s Guide to Waterford Walls
On a recent visit to the vibrant Waterford Walls festival, I was struck by a thought that goes beyond the art itself: the technical challenges artists face in a place like Ireland. As a street photographer who’s had to cut short trips to Waterford because of the unpredictable weather, I have a healthy respect for the Irish climate. This year, with near-perfect conditions, I was able to spend time observing the artists at work and learnt about the often-unseen problems they encounter.
This post delves into the complex relationship between art, materials, and the environment at Ireland’s largest street art festival. My observations, fuelled by conversations with some of the artists, highlight how a successful mural is not just a matter of creative vision, but also of meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of practical challenges.
The Walls of Waterford: A Mosaic of Challenges
Waterford’s walls are far from a uniform canvas. They tell a story of architectural history, from ancient medieval stonework to the modern facades of homes and businesses. The festival’s focus on revitalising “run-down areas” means artists must be ready for anything, especially difficult surfaces they may have never worked with before.
The Problem of Pebbledash
One of the most challenging surfaces artists face is pebbledash. This unique render, with its embedded stones, is notoriously difficult to paint. Industry experts describe it as one of the most problematic surfaces. The stones are a hazard in themselves, as loose ones can “flick off” during painting, creating a mess and leaving gaps.
Furthermore, pebbledash is highly porous. It can “absorb paint as it dries and over time,” meaning artists need to use significantly more paint and must be careful to avoid an uneven finish. The rough texture and age of these surfaces also make them prone to dirt, algae, and dampness, all of which can prevent the paint from sticking properly.
Preparation as a Critical First Step
To ensure a mural endures on a difficult surface, preparation is non-negotiable. It’s a multi-stage process that must be followed with precision:
Cleaning: The wall must be completely free of contaminants. This involves using a stiff sweeping brush and a fungicidal wash to remove any algae, moss, and dirt. It’s crucial to let the wall dry completely before painting to prevent moisture from being trapped.
Repair: Any cracks, holes, or gaps must be filled with an exterior filler to create a uniform base for the art.
Priming: For unpainted or difficult surfaces, a primer is essential. This step ensures the final paint adheres properly and also reduces the wall’s absorbency, saving on material costs in the long run.
The historical and economic context of Waterford means that the walls artists are given are often far from a clean canvas. The preparation phase, therefore, becomes a live demonstration of how to expertly rehabilitate these challenging urban spaces. It’s a testament to the fact that the artists’ job is part technical expert, part creative genius.
The Artist’s Palette: Choosing the Right Paint
The choice of paint is a crucial strategic decision that balances artistic goals with practical demands. The two main options for murals are spray paint and durable emulsion or masonry paint.
The Spray Paint Conundrum
Spray paint is a popular choice for street artists, allowing for crisp lines, smooth gradients, and a uniform finish. However, a major issue is overspray. Wind can carry fine droplets of paint “quite a distance,” posing a risk to nearby objects and parked cars—a well-founded concern.
To combat this, professional muralists use several mitigation techniques:
Logistical Measures: The most effective defence is thorough masking. This involves “tarping the living hell out of things” and using barriers to create a protected zone around the work area.
Technical Adjustments: Experts also make on-site adjustments to their equipment, using a “small pump on a fairly low pressure” and holding the spray gun “real close (6-8 inches off wall)” to minimise the spread of paint.
The Shift to Durability: The Case of Lula Goce
The story of Spanish artist Lula Goce, who famously had to deal with a hurricane hitting Waterford in 2017, provides a perfect example of a professional adapting to the climate. Reports indicate her emulsion house paint was “running off the walls as a result of the heavy rains,” forcing her to fashion a makeshift poncho to continue working.
While spray paint offers speed and precision, using a durable exterior masonry paint is a sound decision for creating permanent public art in a humid, rainy environment. This type of paint offers distinct advantages:
Longevity and Weather Resistance: High-quality exterior emulsion paint is engineered to withstand extreme weather and temperature fluctuations.
Breathability: For a surface like pebbledash, breathability is a significant advantage. Formulated with silicone, this paint prevents external moisture from entering the wall while allowing trapped water vapour to escape. This prevents the paint from blistering or flaking, which is a common problem with non-breathable paints.
Ultimately, the choice between spray paint and durable emulsion highlights a key trade-off: speed and precision versus long-term durability and resistance to the elements.
A Race Against the Elements: Weather and Time
The creation of an outdoor mural in Ireland is a constant race against the weather. An artist’s decision to halt their work, as was reportedly the case with artists ADOR and SHUK, is a reflection of professional judgement that prioritises the integrity of the art over a fixed timeline.
The Irish climate is a primary project constraint:
Rainfall: Direct rain can wash away wet paint, leading to streaks and uneven coverage. Painting on a damp surface can also trap moisture, hindering adhesion and causing long-term peeling.
Humidity: High humidity slows down the drying time of water-based paints, increasing the risk of drips and streaks.
Temperature: Paint can dry too quickly in high temperatures, leading to an uneven finish, while cold temperatures can prevent proper adhesion.
A key rule for all outdoor painting is to plan for a multi-day dry weather window. The festival’s tight ten-day schedule adds immense pressure, creating a tension between a fixed project timeline and the unpredictable nature of the work. The decision not to sign a piece that has been compromised by the weather is an act of professional integrity. An artist’s name is a guarantee of quality, and they may choose to withhold their signature rather than endorse a piece that doesn’t meet their standards.
