If you see Alejandra Bustamante at work, don’t hesitate to say hello.
She’s hard to miss. Often, she’s outdoors, painting a vibrant mural of sea life, palms or beaches across an exterior wall. Though clearly focused on her craft, Bustamante welcomes conversation.
“I really enjoy connecting with people,” she says. “Creating a mural is a great way to do that.”
That approach has served her well as she has found growing success as a muralist. Bustamante is currently creating a series of a dozen murals in the style of retro postcards on the walls of South Seas resort on Captiva Island.
Originally from Lima, Peru, Bustamante moved to Southwest Florida about 20 years ago and built a career in marketing. While she had always nurtured an artistic side — painting and drawing for her own enjoyment — she was largely self-taught and uncertain that art would become a profession.
Her first mural appeared on the side of a building at an agency where she worked at the time, off West First Street in Fort Myers. The pink flamingo framed by green foliage quickly caught the attention of passersby, who stopped to talk or snap photos. Bustamante was happy to engage, and those conversations soon led to additional mural projects.
After being laid off following Hurricane Ian, Alejandra Bustamante found new opportunity as businesses rebuilt — including a major mural commission at South Seas resort.
Brian Tietz
“I had people say, ‘You should do this for a living,’” she says. “I’d say, ‘That’s crazy, I need a paycheck.’”
When Hurricane Ian struck, Bustamante was laid off. What followed, however, was an unexpected turning point. As businesses rebuilt after the storm, many sought creative ways to enhance newly refurbished spaces. Bustamante began picking up more work, including the South Seas project, as the resort underwent extensive renovations.
She has continued to grow her business by cultivating relationships and marketing herself through venues such as the Fort Myers Art Walk. She also launched her own marketing business, Brandbug, where she helps business owners understand how artwork, including murals, can help shape their identity.
“I’m just enjoying the journey,” she says. “I feel like I’m creating something positive in the world.”