Canadian mural artist Michelle Hoogveld has certainly kept herself busy in between previous collaborations with PARK in recent years (Chroma YYC, Chroma YEG, VibranceYYC, #KensingtonBRIGHT, #OURPARK2020) - and she’s just getting started. In just a few short years the native Calgarian has travelled around the world to create show-stopping murals across Canada and the United States, England, Peru, and Portugal, to name a few, with a signature style that has attracted clients including Lululemon, Barry’s Bootcamp and Holt Renfrew.

Photo by Courtney Verbeek, Deerfoot City

With an impressive resume that only continues to grow, we were thrilled to team up with the artist once again this summer for her 215ft signature love-infused road mural - HEAT WAVES - at #YYCBlockParty. Here’s what Michelle had to say about her process for Block Party, dream collaborations, and what’s next.

What is it like to create art in public?

The beautiful thing about creating public art is the ability to instantly change the environment, adding something fun and accessible for everyone. Central to my work is the emotional connection we have to colour, so I always aim to work with combinations that bring out feelings of happiness, joy and a positive moment for people as they pass. It’s fantastic that cities are finding more ways of incorporating art in urban spaces, creating new ways to experience art from up close and from afar.

Photo by Arden Shibley, Yellowhouse Aerial

What would you say you're most excited for with #YYCBlockParty?

With the road as a canvas, I was immediately inspired by the different vantage points the artwork could be experienced from. Whether from the ground or way up high in the sky, I viewed this as an entirely new landscape ready to be transformed. It was important for the design to translate into an immersive experience, where one could instantly step into a colour field of shapes, discovering stripes and patterns that would feel larger than life. I was also excited to envision the artwork when viewed from above. Combining a gradient of bright pinks, teals, yellows and blues, the artwork showcases a colour wave of triangles that interact and come together to reveal a bright symbol of love in the formation of a heart.

You've travelled around the world over the last few years to create art - is there one experience that stands out to you?

This summer I had the opportunity to paint Dazzle My Heart on the front and side facade of the Le Germain Hotel for MURAL Festival in Montreal. Recently completed, I am still looking for the right words to capture the essence of this piece, however it all feels a bit surreal. Perhaps it was working with such vibrant colours at such a large scale, or the way the mural can be viewed from blocks away; there is something about this piece that brings out an energy I haven't quite felt before. Working with the architectural elements to highlight different aspects of the design was an artistic challenge at an entirely new height, new level, new everything. I am beyond thankful for this moment in my career.

What do you hope people take away from your mural at Block Party?

The connection we have to colour and the ability for it to influence our emotions is both conscious and subconscious and my aim is for people to connect with the artwork in a way that creates moments for more happiness and joy in people's lives.

Any dream collaborators that you'd love to work with one day?

I would love to collaborate with Gucci. I love the work they are doing with artists right now and feel like this would be a beautiful opportunity to create magic together.

What's next?

It's a summer filled with murals which is very exciting! It's almost a wrap here in Massachusetts for POW! WOW! Worcester, then I'm heading to Beverly Hills to paint an outdoor basketball court. I cannot wait to see this one come to life. Bring on the colour and a whole lot of sunshine!

#YYCBlockParty is open now at Destination Deerfoot City and will remain open all summer long. Share your photos with us using the hashtag #YYCBlockParty and tag @ourparkonline and @destinationdeerfootcity so we can join in on the fun!

Learn more about Michelle and her work at michellehoogveld.com