Local Spotlight: Nora Kate Paints
Bob & Nora Balayti
If you’ve driven past our Main Plant lately, odds are high that you’ve seen some new artwork adorning the wall by the railroad tracks. It’s bold, it’s fun and it literally screams, “Welcome to Crest Foods!” The mural was painted by local artist Nora Balayti. Nora, who began painting murals in 2011, has completed over 300 murals to date through- out Chicago and Northern Illinois. While the job can be dangerous and labor intensive at times, Nora loves working with clients to bring their visions to life. Being an entrepreneur gives her the freedom to take on jobs that allow her to travel, challenge herself and grow in her craft. Nora’s first murals were painted in 2011 at her friend’s Chicago restaurant, Cheesies Pub and Grub. Customers loved the renderings of famous works of art with a grilled cheese twist (think Mona Lisa with a mouth full of grilled cheese), and more jobs in the Chicago area followed. Soon she was connecting with local beer companies like Goose Island, Lagunitas and Revolution and her side hustle became a career. As it turns out, painting runs in the family. As a teenager, Nora would help her father, Bob, with his painting busi- ness. She got an early education on paints, primers, etc. without realizing how much all that knowledge was going to pay off someday. The tables have turned and now Bob has retired from his own painting business and often spends his time helping Nora with her mural business. It’s quite the role reversal, but the two have a lot of fun entertaining (and educating) each other. Anyone that has seen them in action can plainly see that they make a great team! When she’s not painting murals, Nora fills her time playing disc golf, substitute teaching and creating a wide variety of artwork. She even won a national art competition in 2016 for the Paulaner Brewery, celebrating 500 year anniver- sary of Reinheitsgebot (the first ever food mandate safety law). Not only did she win an all-expense paid trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, but Paulaner’s CEO purchased her painting to display in his office! What’s next for Nora? She is hoping to expand her travel and get more work in other states. And who knows, maybe there will be more Crest Foods murals in her future too! Check out more of Nora’s work on Facebook and Instagram @NoraKatePaints. If you’re interested in a mural, feel free to reach out to her at NoraKatePaints@gmail. com – we highly recommend her!
12 Crest Ink April, May & June 2022
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