Alli K (Alli Koch) is a Dallas-based mural artist, illustrator, and the founder of Alli K Design. Known for crisp, graphic murals—especially her bold floral work—she’s painted for homes and businesses across the U.S., proving that a strong creative voice can also be a successful business.
Like many muralists, Alli built her early workflow around traditional tools like projectors. But as VR tools like Sketchar become more practical, artists are starting to rethink the most frustrating parts of mural production—late-night projection sessions, time-consuming setup, and working around lighting conditions.
In this interview, Alli shares how she found murals almost by accident, what still excites her most about scale, and why learning new technology like VR doesn’t mean losing your style—it means expanding what’s possible.
1. You’re a mission-driven artist in everything you do. Why did you choose murals as your main medium to share what you care about?
Alli K: Murals kind of happened by accident. I rented my first studio and painted my first mural without really knowing what I was doing. I posted it on social media, and a few weeks later someone reached out asking if I painted murals—and if I could create one for his building.
From there, I was hooked. There’s something incredibly powerful about working at such a large scale; murals truly take art to the next level. I wouldn’t describe my style as “moving,” but what I do love is sharing my work and confidently showing that running a successful art business is possible.
Alli compares Sketchar with Projector
2. Before VR, how did you scale and transfer your designs? And what was the most annoying part of that process you’re thrilled to leave behind?
Alli K: I’ve used a projector from the very beginning of my mural career. My very first one was one of those old-school overhead projectors that teachers used to use in school. It was rough, but it worked!
I think most muralists would agree that the most annoying part is having to project at night. I don’t love the late nights of projecting, then having to paint early the next day—so being able to use VR to place my design on the wall without the nighttime setup has been a game-changer.
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3. What’s your dream object or unexpected surface to paint next? And what would you create if you had zero limits, zero budget, and zero cleanup?
Alli K: Scale is what gets me excited—anything big! The side of a building, an airplane, a rooftop, a basketball court… no surface is off limits, which is why I love murals!
I would love to paint a mural with a group of friends. Just a slow, casual hangout in the sun, painting just for fun.
4. What’s your main toolset or creative flow now for your murals… besides your husband?
Alli K: My husband is my favorite and most valuable mural asset, so that’s going to be hard to beat. But I would say the two other things I need while painting are my Bose headphones and a good Zebra paintbrush.
5. As a mentor, what would you tell artists who are curious about new tech like VR—how should they approach it without losing their style?
Alli K: With anything, there’s a learning curve. You have to use it, practice with it, and learn what works and what doesn’t.
When Sketchar first came out, the user experience felt a little unusual, and it definitely required patience. But I also knew it was the kind of tool that could change the industry.
VR keeps getting better and better, and I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve.
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Alli’s story is a reminder that murals don’t always start with a grand plan—they start with curiosity, action, and the willingness to figure things out in real time. And as her workflow shows, tools like Sketchar and VR don’t replace the artist’s style—they remove friction from the process.
For muralists who are tired of late-night projector sessions, complicated setups, and working around lighting conditions, VR offers a cleaner, more flexible alternative. But like Alli says, the key is simple: treat it like any other skill. Practice, experiment, and let the tool evolve with you.
Because at the end of the day, the technology isn’t what makes the mural powerful.
The artist does.
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Learn more about Sketchar for mural artists
Download Sketchar on Meta Quest and Pico 4 Ultra
Follow Alli K on Instagram
