A creative beginning
Kayleigh always loved drawing as a child. Creativity ran in the family — her dad was an incredible painter and graphic designer, and her mum was also highly skilled in art. But for her, it wasn’t only about making spaces more beautiful for others. It was about a deep inner drive to create — to work on her own terms, follow her own rhythm, and trust her own cycles.
That inner calling eventually led her to make a bold decision. She left her job and home, sold everything, bought a van, and set off — with no backup plan and no remote job waiting.
“It felt like there had always been only one calling for me.”
The idea of mural work began after she met a local UK graffiti artist known as The Last One.
“He was painting these amazing pieces while just having fun, being social, and moving around. I remember thinking, why hadn’t I thought of doing that sooner?”
As soon as she could, Kayleigh went to a DIY shop, bought the materials she needed — and a lot of spray paint. On weekends, she would paint with headphones on and coffee in hand, fully immersed in the process.
Falling in love with Portugal
Her partner at the time mentioned that he knew someone in Portugal who wanted a yoga shala. That became her first official project.
“We moved from Berkshire in the UK to Portugal, and here I painted my first mandala. From then on, I advertised using that one mandala and dedicated everything to it.”
At the same time, she fell in love with the country — its landscapes, its community, its openness, the sun, the space. Everything gave her room to breathe and grow creatively.
The first piece of advice she gives anyone considering a move to Portugal is simple: things move in Portuguese timing. In her experience, they take time. It’s not like the UK, where you push, hustle, and force opportunities.
“Here, productivity and success happen when they happen. They’ll come.”
Arriving with a lot of motivation and impatience, she gradually learned to slow down. That shift gave her more space to be creative, more time to simply be human, and more clarity about what she truly wanted from life.
The art of painting outdoors
Kayleigh loves planning her murals carefully. Composition is always considered in detail. However, when painting subjects she knows well, she works from memory and instinct, allowing the piece to unfold naturally.
Painting outdoors comes with its challenges — weather, strong sun, shifting shadows. Natural light is essential, and she finds that spring or late summer are often the best seasons to paint in Portugal.
Mural work is also physically demanding. Stretching before starting is essential, helping the body feel aligned and ready for long hours of painting.
When people see her painting outside, they naturally become curious, and that elicits a range of reactions.
“Some people clap, some wave, some take pictures. Some stop and watch, some ask questions, and some later find me on social media and tell me they enjoyed watching me paint. I really enjoy people’s curiosity and appreciation for art.”
Kayleigh hopes to bring joy and beauty through her artwork.
“I hope people are reminded of their humanness and their own sense of creativity, and that they wonder how it was done. Nothing too complex. Just a pleasant moment where they forget where they are for a second.”
Her favourite media are acrylics for murals and oils for canvas.
“I really love working with oils because they offer much more flexibility. I love blending, and oils make that possible. It’s a very loving process.”
Creativity as healing
Alongside mural work, Kayleigh runs creative workshops, helping people move through creative blocks with more ease and confidence.
“The meditative process is a big part of it. I want people to walk away with something they feel good about, since our creative energy is often underused and so integral to our well-being.”
One teaching moment has stayed with her. A student once told her that her teaching style felt kind, constructive, and supportive — that it felt like guidance, not instruction.
“That meant a lot to hear. I don’t really see myself as a teacher.”
If she can help someone reconnect with their creativity — something she sees as fundamental to joy and growth — that, for her, is a meaningful success.
Her personal art continues to evolve. It is deeply influenced by emotion, concepts, and inner landscapes. She aims for work that feels both realistic and abstract, grounded yet slightly cryptic.
Nature remains her greatest inspiration — places with depth, contrast, texture, water, and plants. Anything natural, transient, and quietly powerful.
Where to see her work
Although many of her murals are in private spaces, some can be seen publicly, including Terra D’Alte Restaurant — one of her personal favourites — Olive Garden, LACO Hub, and a public space in Praia da Luz.
And what advice would she give creatives considering a move to the Algarve?
“Don’t expect to make a living quickly or easily. It’s a relaxed culture, but don’t become complacent. Love what you do, stay committed, nurture it, and give it your best. Magic exists everywhere. If you’re aligned with your heart, magic will happen.”
And across the Algarve, her walls continue to come alive — quietly transforming spaces into moments of connection and beauty.
For more information about Kayleigh, visit www.aurikart.com/ or follow her on Instagram @aurikarte.