Modern art. Giant scale. Original paintings transformed into peel-and-stick wall decals for homes full of love.
MEET PAINTBOX HEARTS AND STARS
We love words. We make big painted letters, after all.
But every now and then... words aren't enough. Sometimes it takes a giant heart to say, I am so proud of you. Or a giant star to quietly remind someone, You've got this.
Sometimes the biggest feelings deserve to take up a little more space.
MODERN ART YOU ARE ALLOWED TO TOUCH
People hear "modern art" and imagine museums and galleries. White walls. Quiet voices. Tiny signs that say, Please Do Not Touch.
We wanted the opposite.
Big.
Playful.
Touch-it.
Live-with-it.
Move-it.
Laugh-in-front-of-it.
Modern art that's made to become part of everyday family life. We think the best art isn't something you walk past. It's something you grow up with.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Every piece started with... paint.
It was messy.
It was gooey.
It was colorful.
Big brushstrokes.
Thick paint.
So much experimenting.
THE HAPPINESS BEHIND THE HEARTS
The Paintbox collection began with artist and Mej Mej co-founder Julianna Larsen. If you followed the story behind our Paintbox letters, you might remember that Julianna loves painting with her little boys. It looks like playtime. But for Jules, it's also research.
There is something wonderfully fearless about the artwork of a toddler. They don't overthink. They don't try to make everything perfect. They simply paint.
Julianna fell in love with the freedom of it all and began painting with that same joyful abandon. Thick paint. Bold brushstrokes. Happy accidents.
The first experiments happened on heart shapes. Why hearts? Maybe because they're universal. Maybe because she was feeling all that new-mom love. Either way... the hearts were here to stay.
FROM PAINT TO PEEL-AND-STICK
People ask us all the time, "How did you do that?"
The painting wasn't the hard part. The hard part was capturing every swirl, ridge, brushstroke, and happy accident... in a perfect removable modern wall decal.
There were lots of almosts. Lots of tweaking. And so much smooshing. (That's our highly technical art term.)
Eventually...
we had something that looked hand-painted. Felt almost impossible. But peeled away cleanly. LIke a little bit of magic.
WHEN ART BECAME A FEELING
We didn't set out to make giant hearts. We were making paintings. Abstract paintings. Color studies. Brushstrokes. Texture. Then one day we stepped back. And something changed.
They weren't just paintings anymore. They felt like... love.
Comfort.
Celebration.
Hope.
The kind of love that quietly lives on the wall beside you as life happens.
WATCHING THE LOVE GROW
We like to imagine these hearts growing up right alongside the children who live beneath them.
💛 Maybe it starts above the changing table. "I love this little human."
💛 Then it moves above the first big-kid bed.
💛 Later it's above the art table where washable marker masterpieces are proudly hanging nearby.
💛 Then beside the homework desk before a spelling test. "You've got this."
💛 Over the mirror before the school dance.
💛 Carefully rolled up into a moving box. Then hung again in a college dorm room. (I'm not crying. I just have something in my eye. Really.)
Some walls change. But the love gets bigger.
STARS SHINE IN A DIFFERENT WAY
Hearts wear their feelings proudly. STARS have their own language.
Stars can celebrate a little artist.
A future scientist.
A soccer player.
The child who quietly keeps trying.
Sometimes they're bold.
Sometimes they're small.
Sometimes they simply remind someone to keep reaching.
MODERN WALL DECALS FOR MODERN FAMILIES
We designed these for modern homes. For families who love clean spaces filled with personality. For kids' rooms that don't have to choose between beautiful and playful.
For parents who love art. For grandparents who love giving meaningful gifts. For walls that deserve something a little unexpected.
FOR ALL THE LITTLE MOMENTS THAT BECOME THE BIG ONES
We hope these giant hearts and stars brighten your walls. But even more than that... we hope they become part of the memories your family makes
The bedtime stories. The homework victories. The dance parties. The hard days. The ordinary Tuesdays that somehow become the memories you'll always remember.
Here's to walls that say beautiful things... even when no one says a word.
Sending you BIG love.
Cathy and Julianna and the Mej Mej family
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.
