A leprechaun sipping beer. Pets piloting an airplane. A slice of pizza riding waves. Jessica Manzanares’ painting résumé is eclectic.
Her work isn’t confined to canvas or a sketch pad. It’s been displayed for all to see on the windows of businesses in places like Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, and Santa Maria.
“I like to think that it brings a little bit of joy and life, especially during Christmas and holidays,” Manzanares told the Sun. “It reminds people that the business is operational.”
Adding a colorful touch
Find Jessica Manzanares’ recent window paintings at businesses in Lompoc, Solvang, and Buellton. Party banners are available for porch pickup in Lompoc or delivery. Send a message to @jessies_art_collection on Instagram to book or inquire.
The artist markets her work on Instagram, where she posts creations and accepts bookings. Clients hire her to depict holiday decorations, logos, and promotional offers at their storefronts.
Manzanares is most busy during holidays. Christmas last year was when her work really gained traction. She’d previously dabbled in window painting for a few businesses in the Santa Ynez Valley, including Solvang Toyland, but the holiday success convinced her to go all in.
“It was probably the first time that it crossed my mind to branch out to other businesses, and I was successful for the first couple of places,” Manzanares said. “That was just really exciting. You kind of get that motivation once you realize maybe there’s other people who actually value what you do or what you enjoy doing.”
In her experience, she’s noticed that window paintings lift spirits and give passersby something to smile about.
“People really enjoy it because every place I work at, they usually tell me that their customers are saying they love the window art,” Manzanares said.
She had seen a few other window painters around town and thought, “Oh my gosh. That’s so cool.” Their holiday projects inspired her to take advantage of her own artistic talent.
Painting is the easy part. Landing jobs is more difficult. So far, the entrepreneur has been commissioned by businesses like the Box Shop and Eye on I in Lompoc, Valley Fresh Market and Lemos Feed and Pet Supply in Solvang, and Jim Vreeland Ford in Buellton. The dealership was a special client because Manzanares’ grandfather had worked there, and some of the current staff remembered him.
“That was a big one because everybody driving by can see it,” she said.
Advertising on social media has helped, but most of her gigs are a result of door-to-door marketing. Flyers in hand, Manzanares walked through many doorways, whether or not she thought the owners would be interested.
Once she lands businesses on one block, it stirs up attention.
“When you have a couple of clients set up, and then you go ahead and do the design on their window, then everybody else sees it,” Manzanares said. “Kind of like a chain reaction. And then if you do a good job, the people that you painted for will have you come back for different seasons. Then you kind of have a growing business.”
Since the winter holidays, the painter has been booked for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, graduation, and the Fourth of July. She’s already getting messages about fall windows, too.
When it comes time to start a project, Manzanares heads to the site and unpacks her supplies. Workdays are often on Saturdays because she has three kids at home, one of whom she homeschools.
She’ll clean the window and use her Meta Quest goggles to help map out the design that she sketched. The glasses project an outline for Manzanares to trace.
Usually, a base layer of white latex paint goes on before other colors. If the art is meant to last for a long time, Manzanares will spread a sealer over the top after everything dries.
“If it’s just a seasonal design and it’s only meant to last a couple months maybe, or a few months, then it really doesn’t need anything over top,” she explained. “As long as the paint dries, the colors won’t run or anything, even if they get wet.”
When it comes time to scrape off the design, a razor does the trick.
The Lompoc resident said she senses a strong bond among the local small business owners. They build each other up and are happy to support her venture because it beautifies the city.
“It’s just an exciting thing to be putting yourself out there and have people support you the way I’ve experienced, so I’m thankful for that,” Manzanares said. “It can be kind of a scary thing, but the only way to truly see the potential of your business is if you put your all into it, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do.
“So far, I’ve been just overwhelmed with support.”
In addition to window art, Manzanares also paints banners for parties. She’ll work on custom orders for birthdays, baby showers, and graduation celebrations after her kids fall asleep.
Themes have included Batman, Snoopy, Moana, and baseball. Manzanares always listens to what her clients have in mind and arranges everything so it’s not too cluttered or crowded. She keeps it simple.
Inspiration comes from examples online, but Manzanares makes sure her designs are original.
“I just enjoy being able to use the eye that I have as an artist,” she said.
Each banner requires an average of four hours, which she usually splits over two nights. Mom duty comes first, but when she has some spare time, she’s excited to scratch the creative itch.
“Everybody who calls and schedules,” Manzanares said, “I do a little happy dance.”
Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in August 13 – August 20, 2026.
