By Madelyn Greenleaf, founder of Made by Madz Art
If you’ve ever smiled at a storefront window
I’ve painted before you walked inside, then my job is done. My goal has never simply been to paint windows, murals, or banners. My goal is joy. I want people to walk by a business, see bright colors, silly characters, or bold designs, and smile without even realizing they’re doing it. If I can brighten someone’s day—even for just a moment—then I’ve done what I set out to do.
I was born and raised in Shreveport– a city that has shaped me in more ways than I can count. I attended South Highlands Elementary, Caddo Middle Magnet, and C.E. Byrd High School, where I was fortunate to be part of the Talented Arts Program. That meant I always had wonderful art teachers encouraging me to try new things, especially James King at Byrd, who believed artistic exploration was just as important as artistic skill.
Creativity didn’t stop when I got home, either. My parents always encouraged every interest my siblings and I ever had. I grew up surrounded by paint, creativity, laughter, and people who believed making things was worth celebrating. Looking back, I realize that’s where my art really began.
After high school, I attended Baylor University to study Elementary Education. While I loved working toward becoming a teacher, I realized something was missing–creating art. So I started painting again in my spare time. I made canvases for friends, painted sorority gifts, and contributed to other school projects. I shared my work on Instagram through @MadeByMadzArt. And faster than the paint could dry, friends wanted paintings. Little by little, my “side hobby” became a real business.
That business continued through graduate school and into my job as a camp leader at a children’s museum in Kansas City. During the day, I enjoyed leading energetic kids through museum activities. At night, I was filling art orders until bedtime. Eventually, I realized I was spending almost every free moment doing what I loved most – creating art. So I took the biggest leap of my life and moved home to Shreveport to pursue art full time. Today, Made by Madz Art has grown into colorful murals, storefront windows, banners, champagne bottles, pet portraits, and large-scale projects that allow me to bring a little more color into our community.
If you’ve noticed a common theme in my work, it’s probably joy. That comes straight from my family. There is never a gathering without laughter, and my parents taught us to look for opportunities to spread joy wherever we go. For me, that means bright colors, playful ideas, thick black outlines inspired by vintage cartoons and Sunday comic strips. I want my artwork to feel happy. Painting storefront windows has also taught me that art is a little more scientific than people might expect.
For example…humidity is not my friend. I learned that lesson early on after finishing a beautiful window painting, only to return the next morning and discover the paint had practically melted down the glass overnight. I quickly apologized to the business owner, removed everything, researched what happened, and repainted the entire window after the humidity dropped. Now I check the weather almost as carefully as I check my paint supplies!
One of my favorite parts of this job is painting in public. I love when people stop to watch, wave, or strike up a conversation. Window art naturally catches people’s attention, and that’s exactly why local businesses love it. Whether it’s celebrating a holiday, promoting a special event, or simply making a storefront feel more welcoming, colorful windows invite people inside before they ever open the door.
As much as I love painting for businesses, my favorite reactions always come from kids. With my background in Elementary Education, nothing makes me happier than hearing a child say they love one of my paintings or watching them point at a mural with a huge smile. I also love knowing they’re seeing someone who creates art for a living. Maybe they’ll realize they can do that someday, too.
One project that will always be special to me was my first major mural at Gullett Elementary, where my sister was the assistant principal. That project changed everything. It led to opportunities at Fairfield Elementary, then Caddo Middle Magnet, and eventually many more schools and businesses throughout our area. Looking back, that first mural opened so many doors, and I’ll always be grateful my sister believed in me.
Screenshot
I’ve now been fortunate enough to paint at my preschool, elementary, middle, and now—even my high school. The only place left on my dream list? Baylor University. After spending five wonderful years there, I would love to leave a little piece of my heart on campus someday.
Working with local businesses is one of my favorite parts of owning Made by Madz Art because we’re all investing in the same community. Every mural, every painted window, and every colorful storefront helps make Shreveport a little more vibrant. Public art creates joy, sparks conversation, supports businesses, and brings people together. I truly believe our community is brighter because artists and business owners continue investing in it.
If you are feeling inspired and hoping to turn a creative passion into business, my advice to you is: Just start! There will always be a reason to wait until everything feels perfect, but perfection usually comes after you begin—not before. Share your work. Let people watch your process. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to begin.
Then, keep your eyes open for that one special person – or maybe even a team who believes in what you are pursuing. I have to thank the person who has quietly helped make every bit of this possible—my mom. She has spent countless hours helping at art markets, removing window paint, brainstorming ideas, solving problems, encouraging me through every challenge, and cheering me on every step of the way.
And once your dream becomes a reality, breathe deeply and enjoy that at the end of the day, you have accomplished more than you ever believed you could. My hope is that every window, mural, and painting leaves people feeling exactly what I felt growing up. Joy – because the world can always use a little more color and a few more reasons to smile.