Artist’s life has been anything but dull

Ali Bahler’s “A Call to Action” mural took nearly two years to complete. The mural is located on Crockett Street in downtown Shreveport.

A life as colorful as downtown Shreveport’s newest mural, artist Ali Bahler lives for the same reason she paints – to have fun.

The self-proclaimed “Air Force brat,” who recently unveiled the “A Call to Action” mural on Crockett Street, yields a natural creative talent that has been brewing since childhood.

“I started [getting interested in art] when I was really young,” Bahler said. “My mom bought me finger paints, and I just loved it – all the colors, and I could touch it and swirl it all together. I fell in love with it instantly.”

Bahler describes growing up “pretty much everywhere,” having been born in the Southwest and lived all over the world including Saudi Arabia and England. She eventually became a California girl, working as a hair and face model, and later got involved in the movie and music industry.

Bahler also went on to work in national parks, where she designed a T-shirt logo for Yellowstone and found inspiration in her surroundings.

When family eventually brought Bahler back to the area, she had no connections to the art world but knew she wanted to dive right in.

“I knew absolutely no one here. I came in completely alone,” she said. “When I was thinking about what I was going to do, and right when my [options were about to] run out, I got the commission to do the mural. When I turned the design in, it wasn’t even finished or completed. It won unanimously, and I was completely blown away.”

If the commission for the 3,800-square-foot mural came swiftly and with ease, it would not be the prelude to the completion of the neonaccentuated project. From incorrect measurements, to the fluctuation of crew and equipment, to the ever-evolving Louisiana weather, what was supposed to take six months to complete turned into almost two years from start to finish.

“I’ve never had so many challenges doing a mural in my entire life,” Bahler said. “This was the most difficult one. It isn’t a ‘paint-by-numbers’; it’s freehand.

“A lot of people think that [murals] happen over night, because they just all of the sudden notice them,” she said.

“But they have no idea what goes into it before all that.”

“A Call to Action” was meant to be a platform for change in the art world, said Bahler, but she also wants the community to get involved with the continuing development of downtown Shreveport.

It’s clear the western native’s style and inspirations translate into the 93-color cultural painting of iconic and treasured Louisiana nostalgia.

“I like to create [with art] more of a feeling and emotional response,” Bahler said. “Some people [may not have a response], but it really depends on where your head’s at when you’re looking at it. I use a lot of bright colors. I just really do not like using blacks or browns; I’m always drawn more toward vibrant colors.”

“I thank God every day for the opportunity; a lot of days I didn’t think I could finish it,” she said. “But this is what I love to do. This is the first selfish thing I’ve gotten to do in my life – I didn’t care what anybody had to say, I was doing it. ... It’s something [I wanted for myself].”

With the mural complete, the mother of one is taking a break, having time to focus on her personal artwork and plans for the future. She has dreams of showcasing some of her canvas pieces and getting involved with animations to take her art to another level. No matter what comes next for Bahler, it’s sure to keep form with her colorful resume.

“My life has not been boring, but I love it.”

– Katie Ho