Class of 1991 alum Colleen Hall is not just an artist, she’s a storyteller. She weaves narratives into brush strokes, vibrant colors, and imaginative scenery, capturing what words cannot. “I love working with my clients as co-creators, listening to their stories and memories and then bringing them to life,” she said. “Finding ways of connection has been a core principle of my work.”

Hall’s artistic journey has spanned 30 years and has been one of discovery of herself and her craft. From a young age, Hall dreamed of becoming an animator and was encouraged by her grandmother, who during her time was not able to pursue her artistic passion. Hall enrolled in oil painting classes at the University of Richmond as an Oldham Scholar (now Richmond Scholar) and pursued a bachelor’s in studio art and in business administration.

“I am not your stereotypical artist,” she said. “I am a planner and very practical. I pursued art as a passion.” She remembers running across campus with clay on her hands to attend finance classes in the business school. “It is quite the dichotomy of areas to study.”

Hall landed a role at The Martin Agency after graduation but her time there was short-lived due to layoffs. “I am an overachiever who had the rug pulled out from under me,” she said. “I never had to face an obstacle like that.” 

Around that time, she returned to UR to attend an art show, where she saw a sign for a figure drawing workshop. “When a door closes, a window opens,” she said. During the workshop, she met her future husband, Jeffrey Deane Hall, Class of 1994, and shortly thereafter, they were married. She began to pursue art full-time.

Hall describes her journey as having many chapters. She has created pieces for high-profile clients such as Mark Wahlberg, Sylvester Stallone, and Beyoncé, and painted murals for members of the Saudi Royal Family. Her murals adorn the walls of children’s hospitals in the U.S. and Norway, as well as school hallways and residences. Her artwork memorializes beloved pets and special memories and has brought communities together through collaborative public art projects. 

“Happily, pivoting is an essential skill as an entrepreneur,” she said. Through all the chapters, a common thread that runs through her experience is her relationship with clients. She recounts some of her most meaningful work as the murals she has painted in hospitals and medical facilities, hoping to bring comfort to patients and their families during times of crisis.

When COVID halted much of her large-scale and residential work, Hall returned to her studio and her work on canvas, focusing on one of her favorite subjects — pets. “I found that amidst all the craziness we were going through, we could all agree on how much our dogs and cats meant to us,” she said.

Her dog, Mr. Coconut, served as her loyal friend and studio assistant as she painted hundreds of custom portraits, bringing the same passion for connection into her images that were a testament to each pet’s personality. “These are truly paintings with a purpose,” she said. “Honoring and enjoying these most special furry family members.” 

Hall continues her work on canvas, focusing on paintings inspired by her travels and painted memories for clients. She and her husband, a high school teacher, are avid travelers who have visited Europe many times.

“My new chapter focuses on the work that I want to make,” she said. She has plans to return to her childhood dream of writing and illustrating children’s books. 

Throughout every chapter of her journey, Hall has demonstrated that art is not merely a career but a way to connect, inspire, and bring stories to life — one brushstroke at a time.