A wife and mom of three, Christina Hummer, works out of the O’Fallon home she and her family have lived in for the past seven years. Her workspace, which used to be limited to her kitchen table, is now an entire room as well as a booming business.

Hummer's love for painting began in college while attending Northwest Missouri State. She began as a fine arts major with an emphasis in graphic design. 

But during her sophomore year, professors strongly suggested she give up graphic design and switch to photography and painting. She would tell herself, “I’m not going to make it big. I’m not going to be making any money. I’m not going to get a job,” she said. 

So, even thought it would put her a year behind, Hummer switched majors her junior year. She enjoyed photography, but she was really surprised to discover--her passion was painting, she said. 

For years, Hummer painted murals for friends, and they continually pushed her to do it professionally. Hesitant for the longest time, Hummer believed she wouldn’t make any money from it.

In February 2009, her friends' persuasion broke through as she told herself, “I’ve just got to do it” and created her business Sweet Dream Murals.

Ten years ago marks the completion of her first mural. Since the start of the year, she’s done about seven projects, bringing her total to around 20 since her business first kicked off two years ago.

After launching her website SweetDreamMurals.com in March 2009, she attended an expo with business cards in hand. As luck would have it, The Goddard School was there seeking additions for its new facility in Wentzville. After seeing some of her work, they told her they were interested. In June, the blank walls within the school became her giant canvas.

“It was fun. It was my first huge project, and after that it just seemed like the ball got rolling,” Hummer said. 

Painting used to be a 40-hour side job, a luxury in addition to working part time and playing mom of three boys age 9 months, 4 years old and 6 years old. She will soon become her full-time career. For nearly 10 years, Hummer has worked at Lutheran Hour Ministries. She recently put in her notice, making way for her new full-time job--painting.

Painting to music of all kinds ranging from the '80s era to Sara Bareilles, Hummer finds herself completely engulfed in each project and loves seeing the finished work and happiness it brings her clients.

“Once I get going, you’re lucky to pull me away from it. Typically, I go in in the morning, and I don’t even take a lunch break. I just paint all through the day and go for however long until I want to stop,” she said. 

Hummer paints everything child-related and anything she can personalize, she said. Her specialties include murals, growth charts and ultrasound paintings. She said she receives numerous requests.

“Recently, I did a panda with a waterfall, flowers and bamboo for a young girl,” Hummer said. Some requests are more unusual than others. “I just got done doing a reptile room with alligators and snakes and he actually wanted the snake to eat the koala bear. I refused to paint that," she said.

One of Hummer's goals is to work with a wish granter or directly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Last December, Christina was contacted by a wish granter to paint a child's room but the project is on hold. She hopes things will work out and she can move forward with it, she said.

“It's a true dream to work for kids who are essentially my real clients and love. Their happiness is my success,” she said. 

To view Hummer's work, visit her page on Facebook or contact her via email at sweetdreammurals@gmail.com.