MOTIVATE

Artfully United Mural Tour #15 — The Power to Keep Moving Forward

“You Don't Have to Be Great to Get Started, but You Have to Get Started to Become Great.”

MOTIVATE is an inspirational street art print featuring the 15th mural of the Artfully United Mural Tour, created by Los Angeles artist and muralist Mike Norice.

Located at 91st Street and Western Avenue in South Central Los Angeles, this powerful public artwork transforms an ordinary neighborhood building into a larger-than-life message of encouragement, determination, and possibility.

Stretching across the exterior wall in enormous black lettering, the word MOTIVATE commands attention against a vibrant turquoise and light blue background.

Above the message, Powerful Paul, Norice's original inspirational character, appears soaring through the air on a paintbrush, leaving behind a splash of creativity, imagination, and positive energy.

Together, the bold lettering and playful character communicate a message that speaks to people of all ages:

No matter where you come from, what challenges you face, or how difficult your journey becomes, you have the power to keep moving forward.

This art print captures the original mural's message while bringing a meaningful piece of Los Angeles street art and community history into homes, offices, classrooms, and personal art collections.

What Does It Mean to Motivate?

Motivation is the force that turns a dream into action.

It is the encouragement that helps someone take the first step toward a goal.

It is the determination to continue when progress feels slow.

It is the belief that even when circumstances are difficult, something better is possible through persistence, effort, and commitment.

But the word MOTIVATE carries a deeper meaning.

It is not only about finding the inspiration to improve your own life.

It is also about becoming a source of inspiration for others.

A parent motivates a child by encouraging their dreams.

A teacher motivates a student by recognizing their potential.

A coach motivates an athlete to push beyond their limitations.

A community leader motivates others by demonstrating what can be accomplished through determination and service.

And an artist can motivate an entire neighborhood by placing a powerful message where thousands of people can see it.

Motivation is contagious. When one person is inspired to move forward, they can inspire others to do the same.

This is the philosophy behind Mike Norice's MOTIVATE mural.

The artwork challenges viewers to recognize that meaningful change begins with action.

Dreams require effort.

Goals require commitment.

Progress requires patience.

And success often requires the courage to keep going when the outcome is uncertain.

The message reminds us that we may not always control the circumstances around us, but we can continue working toward a better future.

You don't have to see the entire path to take the next step. Sometimes all you need is the motivation to begin.

Artfully United Mural Tour #15 — Bringing Inspiration Into the Community

MOTIVATE is the 15th installment of the Artfully United Mural Tour, an ongoing public art initiative created by Mike Norice to bring positive, inspirational messages into neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.

The mural tour features large-scale artwork displaying powerful words and short phrases designed to encourage, uplift, and inspire the people who encounter them.

Messages such as HOPE, BELIEVE, LOVE, FORGIVENESS, HONOR, BE OPTIMISTIC, and MOTIVATE reflect values that can help individuals develop confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of purpose.

Many of these murals are intentionally located in economically disadvantaged and historically underserved communities.

Norice believes that public art should not be reserved for galleries, museums, or affluent neighborhoods.

Everyone deserves to experience meaningful artwork in the communities where they live, work, learn, and raise their families.

By placing these messages directly on neighborhood walls, the Artfully United Mural Tour makes inspiration accessible to everyday people.

A person driving to work may see the word MOTIVATE and feel encouraged to continue pursuing a goal.

A student walking home from school may be reminded that their dreams are worth the effort.

An entrepreneur facing setbacks may see the mural and recognize the importance of persistence.

A parent may use the message to encourage their children.

And someone experiencing a difficult moment may find a simple reminder that giving up is not their only option.

These murals become part of the everyday visual landscape of Los Angeles.

Their messages are repeated through daily encounters, creating opportunities for reflection, encouragement, and community pride.

The goal of the Artfully United Mural Tour is simple: use art to inspire people to believe in themselves and recognize the possibilities within their communities.

Powerful Paul — The Little Character With a Powerful Message

One of the most recognizable features of the Artfully United Mural Tour is Powerful Paul, Mike Norice's original inspirational character created in 2006.

Powerful Paul appears throughout the mural series as a symbol of hope, positivity, imagination, faith, and the potential that exists within every child.

With his familiar white T-shirt, blue jeans, red sneakers, and joyful personality, Paul brings an approachable and playful energy to Norice's large-scale public artwork.

In MOTIVATE, Powerful Paul appears high above the street, riding a paintbrush through the air.

The oversized paintbrush transforms into a vehicle of imagination, carrying Paul beyond the ordinary boundaries of the neighborhood.

His presence adds an important visual dimension to the mural's message.

Motivation gives us the courage to move forward. Imagination allows us to see where that journey might lead.

Paul's playful flight represents the freedom to dream beyond present circumstances.

The paintbrush symbolizes creativity and the ability to transform ideas into something meaningful.

His position above the mural suggests that young people should never feel limited by their environment.

They should be encouraged to explore their talents, pursue their interests, and imagine futures filled with opportunity.

Powerful Paul also serves as a familiar connection between the different murals of the Artfully United Mural Tour.

As people travel through Los Angeles, they may encounter him in different neighborhoods alongside messages of hope, love, forgiveness, belief, and perseverance.

His recurring presence helps connect the murals into a larger story.

Powerful Paul reminds us that every child has potential, every dream deserves encouragement, and sometimes a little inspiration can make a powerful difference.

Why Motivation Matters in South Central Los Angeles

For Mike Norice, creating inspirational public artwork in South Central Los Angeles is deeply personal.

Born and raised in Watts, Norice understands that communities are often judged by their challenges rather than celebrated for their strengths.

Neighborhoods experiencing poverty, limited resources, and social inequality are frequently portrayed through negative stereotypes.

Yet these same communities are filled with talented young people, hardworking families, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, and individuals determined to build better futures.

Through the Artfully United Mural Tour, Norice seeks to celebrate that potential.

MOTIVATE, located at 91st and Western, is a reminder that the people living in these neighborhoods deserve encouragement, opportunity, and positive representation.

The mural does not pretend that difficult circumstances do not exist.

Instead, it encourages people to recognize that their present situation does not have to determine their future.

A young person growing up in South Central Los Angeles should be able to imagine becoming a doctor, artist, business owner, engineer, teacher, or community leader.

They should be encouraged to believe that their talents matter.

They should see reminders that their dreams are possible.

Your ZIP code should never determine the size of your dreams.

That belief is at the heart of MOTIVATE.

The Artistic Vision Behind MOTIVATE

Visually, MOTIVATE reflects Mike Norice's ability to transform a simple word into a bold, memorable piece of contemporary street art.

The mural features enormous black block lettering that stretches across the exterior of a neighborhood building.

The scale of the letters makes the message highly visible to pedestrians and passing motorists.

A vibrant turquoise upper background contrasts with the lighter blue lower section, creating a dynamic visual composition.

The colors give the artwork a bright, energetic presence while allowing the word MOTIVATE to remain the central focus.

On the right side of the composition, Powerful Paul adds movement, personality, and imagination.

His airborne pose and oversized paintbrush create a playful contrast with the mural's strong typography.

The combination of large-scale lettering, bold color, and character illustration reflects Norice's distinctive approach to inspirational public art.

Rather than relying on complicated imagery, the mural communicates its message immediately.

One word is enough.

MOTIVATE.

Its simplicity is part of its power.

The artwork can be understood at a glance, yet its meaning can remain with someone long after they have passed it.

The Power of One Word

Sometimes the most meaningful messages are the simplest.

A single word can change someone's perspective.

A single word can encourage someone to keep going.

A single word can remind a person of their strength.

And a single word can become a source of inspiration for an entire community.

MOTIVATE is that kind of message.

It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their dreams while recognizing the importance of supporting others along the way.

Motivation is not always about achieving extraordinary success.

Sometimes it is about getting out of bed and facing another day.

Sometimes it is about returning to school, applying for a job, starting a business, rebuilding a relationship, or making a positive change.

Sometimes the greatest accomplishment is simply refusing to give up.

Motivation is the beginning of movement. Movement creates progress. Progress creates possibilities.

Through this mural, Mike Norice encourages viewers to recognize that meaningful change often begins with one decision:

The decision to try.

From a Los Angeles Mural to an Inspirational Art Print

This MOTIVATE art print preserves the message and visual impact of the original Artfully United mural while making it accessible beyond its South Los Angeles location.

The artwork is a meaningful addition to homes, offices, classrooms, studios, and creative workspaces.

For students, it serves as a reminder to remain focused on their goals.

For entrepreneurs, it represents the persistence required to turn ideas into reality.

For artists and creatives, it celebrates imagination and the courage to pursue a vision.

For parents and educators, it reinforces the importance of encouraging the next generation.

And for collectors of Los Angeles street art, it represents an authentic piece of community-centered public art created by an artist with deep roots in the city.

This print is especially meaningful for collectors interested in:

• Inspirational and motivational wall art

• Los Angeles street art and public murals

• Contemporary African American art

• Positive affirmation artwork

• Urban art and large-scale typography

• Powerful Paul character artwork

• South Central Los Angeles culture

• Community empowerment and social impact art

• Artfully United Mural Tour collectibles

• Artwork celebrating hope, determination, and resilience

About the Artist — Mike Norice

Mike Norice is a Los Angeles-based contemporary artist, muralist, and visual storyteller born and raised in Watts, California.

With more than 30 years of artistic experience, Norice creates meaningful artwork that celebrates cultural identity, community history, social awareness, and positive change.

His artistic practice includes realistic portraiture, contemporary fine art, character illustration, and large-scale public murals.

As the creator of Powerful Paul and founder of Artfully United, Norice has dedicated much of his career to transforming public spaces into inspirational landmarks.

Through the Artfully United Mural Tour, he brings positive messages directly into neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles, encouraging residents to recognize their potential and take pride in their communities.

MOTIVATE, the tour's 15th mural, reflects his belief that art can serve as a daily reminder of the strength, determination, and possibilities that exist within every individual.

MOTIVATE — Because Every Great Journey Begins With Action

Every dream begins with an idea.

Every accomplishment begins with effort.

Every meaningful change begins with someone willing to take the first step.

Through MOTIVATE, Mike Norice reminds us that success is not reserved for a select few.

It is something we can work toward through persistence, determination, creativity, and belief in ourselves.

And with Powerful Paul soaring above the neighborhood, the artwork reminds us that imagination and motivation can help carry our dreams beyond the limitations we see around us.

“Dream Big. Take Action. Keep Going. MOTIVATE.”

Bring home MOTIVATE by Mike Norice — an inspirational street art print celebrating perseverance, community pride, youth empowerment, and the power of positive thinking.