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Welcome to Moonspade Magic. This is my work, this is my world. We are proud to make art from observation and perception and are excited to share it with you. We are on a journey creating art that speaks to the changes within the self, coming from a place of love. We look forward to connecting with you, and are happy to see you here. Enjoy and stay curious!
Artist Claire Tatangelo (@moonspade_magic) reflects on the creative process and inspirational sketches behind the mural “Moonicorn.”
This video (link below) highlights playful details within the design and offers a glimpse of the artist at work. The mural was completed in one week as part of the Halifax Mural Festival in the summer of 2025.
The concept is entirely original and was conceived, drawn, and painted by the artist.
Several elements shaped the final composition:
1 The blended roller background, painted in primary colours, was designed to create a bold visual impression for viewers arriving by ferry across Halifax Harbour and to remain visible from a distance.
2 Yellow at both ends of the mural reverses the traditional horizon, symbolizing dawn and evening from left to right, while the centre forms a dreamlike landscape that bends time and dimensions of reality.
3 The ice cream flavour referenced in the mural is a Nova Scotia favourite experienced by the artist at Cows Ice Cream on the Halifax boardwalk. Its name helped inspire the rest of the design.
4 A playful T-Rex performing a tricep dip on the bridge represents the physical and creative challenge of painting the mural’s most complex section, the architectural structure of the bridge.
5 The lobster and the Moonicorn’s hooves were finished with sparkling embellishments as a final touch.
6 The lights, figure, and wings were inspired by real-life drawings the artist created while observing the harbour.
Claire Tatangelo, who is also an author, later wrote a short poetic story inspired by the mural after its completion. This writing will remain in her archive for now.
@moonspade_magic is looking forward to creating more murals in 2026.
About
Moonspade Magic
Moonspade Magic is a name that comes from observations of change and the ability to be objective, even when our object of interest is in a state of constant change. The moon is a primary example of this, always appearing different to us because of the change in the shadows cast on it by the earth.
The spade refers to the method of our work - the daily practice that creates the work; it is like a shovel and it requires a keenness of vision and a hunger for success. This shape is one that has many meanings. It has the perspective of one way of seeing things and that is the way of continued practice and dedication to our craft.
Magic refers to the emotion and the unseen connections between the physical things, they cannot be explained but only felt and perceived. It is the combination of these things that create Moonspade Magic, this is why when we observe and paint the hands we do it in such a way that the hands are moving like the shadow of the moon across the face of it, in colours that we feel, in our scientific knowledge of anatomy but using our spiritual knowledge of the self being connected to everything else, the abandonment of the concept of knowing everything. Magic has a mystery and we like that we cannot say everything about it, that is why we are called Moonspade Magic.
