It starts with paint. Thick. Layered. A little messy... in a good way. And then it becomes something you can build a room around.
Letter Love
There’s something about letters. They’re one of the first ways we make sense of the world.
And then they stay with us. From our first spelling test to our last high school essay… and beyond.
(I’m even using them n-o-w.)
When You Read You Begin with ABC
We began the project with the full alphabet. Classic alphabet wall decals with a modern twist. We could see it as a statement wall in a minimalist room, or a bold moment in a maximalist space. A learning wall. An art statement. A showstopper.
But every time we showed someone, the first question was, "Ooo, can I order individual letters so I can spell my own idea?" So we expanded mid-project. Now the answer is yes! All the letters can be used to personalize. And we can officially say... spell on.
Alphabet Wall Decals for All Ages
We started the personalized part of the collection, thinking about kids’ rooms. Names on the wall. First letters. Favorite sounds.
Mej Mej actually began with personalized artwork. We love that families can highlight initials or names in a way that feels intentional and artful. Children feel seen when their name is on the wall. Personalization says: you are important.
Paintbox Letters • Large • Peel-and-Stick Wall DecalsPaintbox Letters • Large • Peel-and-Stick Wall Decals
But our focus on children's spaces didn't stay there for long.
The next thing you knew, we were imagining a gift for mom.
BEST MOM EVER.
A message on a hospital door.
WE LOVE NURSES.
Or a note to self.
YOU CAN DO IT.
Paintbox Alphabet • Small • Peel-and-Stick Wall DecalsPaintbox Alphabet • Small • Peel-and-Stick Wall Decals
How it All Began
The Paintbox Collection is brought to you from the artistic hands of Julianna Larsen, who is the daughter part of the mother-daughter design duo at Mej Mej. And, I, as the mom part of that duo, can attest to the fact that she has been playing with thick gooey paint all her life.
So I thought I would be most qualified to interview our very capable abecedarian so that you can hear all about the process for creating this special version of the ABCs and XYZs.
Official Mother-Daughter Artists Interview
CATHY (THE MOM): Hi Jules. May I start by saying I think your new collection deserves an A+ for Amazing?
JULES: You can. But people might think you're a cornball.
CATHY: And they would be correct. But seriously... do you remember the exact moment you knew you wanted to paint an alphabet in this style?
JULES: I do! I was outside painting with our little 5-year-old, my brush overloaded with paint—the kind where it’s almost too much—and we were making marks that felt alive.
It wasn’t careful. It wasn’t precious. It was physical.
And I thought, "New collection? What if the alphabet wasn’t flat and instructional… but expressive and emotional?”
CATHY: And with this painterly style... why an alphabet first?
JULES: Because I’m living inside the alphabet right now.
Our little guy is learning to read and it's reawakened my own awe around letters. Watching him sound things out and seeing symbols become language... it’s magic.
Paintbox Alphabet • Large • Peel-and-Stick Wall DecalsPaintbox Alphabet • Large • Peel-and-Stick Wall Decals
CATHY: Were you inspired by the work of a certain artist or group of artists?
JULES: I’m endlessly inspired by artists who use text as subject matter, like Jasper Johns, Jenny Holzer, and Christopher Wool.
But the biggest influence was my older sister, Ellen, who was working on a children’s book published by Levine Querido, Sunflower Seeds. Ellen used bold, thick oil paint on brown paper, with a nod to Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings.
Our boys love this book. While they study the changes in the plants, I find myself studying the brushstrokes… until I hear, “Mom, you’re not reading the story.”
CATHY: Ha. I remember those days, reading (not reading) to you because the illustrations were just so good.
Letters as Art. Not Just Learning.
CATHY: I feel like people don’t always think of letters this way… as art.
JULES:
Letterforms have always been art. A single letter can be abstract. It can be architectural. It can be purely visual. A letter doesn’t have to be just instructional. It can carry feeling. I mean, who doesn't love a strong R or a proud A? Just me?
CATHY: That might be just you. But now that you say it, I think I'll start seeing the humble letter R as a masterpiece.
The Process (It Was Not Fast)
CATHY: I think everyone wonders how you actually made these. Can you tell us the secret recipe to your alphabet soup? (Ha)
JULES: Not a secret. Just a lot of time. They were built slowly. Layer on layer. Some strokes were instinctual and fast, but the depth comes from returning. Adding. Scraping. Adjusting.
Some letters have three or four layers. Others have eight or nine. You can see where I reconsidered. Where I changed my mind. I love that.
CATHY: That part matters. It’s what makes people stop and say, “Wait… is that painted on the wall?"
THE LETTERS THAT NEEDED AN EXTRA HUG
CATHY: Did any letters give you trouble?
JULES:
The ‘I’ needed a lot of work… poor letter. I prefer the lowercase version because you get the fun tittle… Yes, that's right friends. The dot above an i is called a tittle. Thank you Type 101. :) I think I made about 15 letter I’s by the end of the process.
CATHY: I'm sure all the Isabellas and Isaacs will thank you for that. And Irises, too. :-)
CATHY: Did you change any other letters after painting them the first time?
JULES: Oh yes.
'C' and ‘G.’ Curves demand confidence. If you hesitate, they show it.
Oh and the 'Q'! Sheesh that one took forever. Some things don’t come easy.
CATHY: That’s part of why they feel so good when they’re done.
JULES: You're so wise, Mom.
CATHY: Thanks, Jules.
CATHY: Wait... are there three different versions of each letter?
JULES: There are. I call them "siblings." Because when you use the same letter twice… you shouldn’t get the exact same texture twice.
That’s what makes them feel real. Like they were actually painted on your wall. Not stamped. Not copied. Not “sticker-y.”
So when you spell a name… it feels alive.
Here’s to you, Annabelle and Cooper.
Why Wall Decals?
CATHY: Why do you think wall decals are perfect for this collection?
JULES: They bring the texture and movement of the original paintings... without the permanence. They're flexible. They grow with you.
You can move things around. Change your mind. Add more later.
And bonus... they're so easy to install, you might find yourself creating a little poetry on your wall.
Who Will Love These?
CATHY: Who do you picture putting these on their walls?
JULES:
Creative families. Parents who believe learning can be beautiful. Teachers who want a fresh take on the building blocks of reading.
Anyone who wants their child surrounded by energy and imagination.
CATHY: Nursery? Playroom? Studio?
JULES:
All of the above. A nursery that feels personal. A playroom with a point of view. Even a grown-up space. Letters don’t age out.
Paintbox Alphabet • Large • Peel-and-Stick Wall DecalsPaintbox Alphabet • Large • Peel-and-Stick Wall Decals
CATHY: One last question. How do you hope these letters will make a room feel... and the little people in it?
JULES: Energized. Inspired. Brave.
CATHY: I love that. I might add one more ... Loved.
JULES: Aw Mom, you're so gushy.
CATHY: I know.
A is for Anything
And we mean that.
Names.
Phrases.
Thank yous.
I love yous.
Something just for now.
Something they'll always remember.
We hope you enjoy the Paintbox collection. We can't wait to see how you make it your own.
XO, Cathy, Julianna, JIm, Anton and Katie
PS See the Paintbox alphabet wall decals in action →
And we hope all of you enjoy styling your spaces in fun and creative ways — and that your walls will feel healthy, happy and full of personality wearing their fresh fruits and veggies.
Don’t forget to share your photos and reviews. We love seeing how you decorate with our removable fabric wall decals and prints. You are our biggest inspiration.
Here’s a short little Farmers Market video to see our nursery decor in action. Watch how easy it is to place a plum... re-place a plum... or swap it out for a fig.
Happy growing season!
XO, Cathy and Julianna and the Mej Mej family
The Author: Cathy Heck
Cathy began her career as an art director in New York City followed by 40 years as a freelance illustrator. Her artwork has been licensed for thousands of products for babies and children of all ages. In fact, over 2 million babies' memories have been recorded in a Cathy Heck baby book. You might even have one in your own keepsake box. :-) Today, Cathy, with her daughter, Julianna, and their husbands, Jim and Anton, work together to design, manufacture and ship Mej Mej wall decor and unique gifts to children and families around the world.
The Author: Julianna Larsen
Julianna is a lead illustrator and designer at Mej Mej, and the "daughter" half of the mother-daughter artist duo behind all of our artwork. Her creative journey began in her mother's art studio where she learned to use pencil and paint long before she could spell "art." After earning degrees in fine art and design, she now creates in her own studio—with two little boys watching her work, just like she once watched her mom. From watercolor to digital art, Julianna brings imagination to life in every piece. Together with her parents, Cathy and Jim, and her husband, Anton, she helps design, manufacture, and ship unique children’s gifts to families around the world.
