Painting the Next Chapter: Cecile Madonna's Window Mural Welcomes Readers

Some artists wait for the right project to find them. Cecile Madonna goes looking for the people and places she believes in.

Wildwood readers may already know her. Cecile serves the Wildwood area with her mural work, and she's a familiar face downtown, where she often dines and shops along Main Street. (She was also our dinner companion in our recent visit to Miz Kathi's Cotillion Southern Cafe.) Her latest project, though, took her just down the road to another historic downtown.

When she met Petra Smith and heard about her plans to open an independent bookstore in downtown Leesburg, Cecile didn't wait to be asked. She reached out and offered to paint the shop's front windows. The result is a lush, cheerful mural that greeted the crowds at Likely Story Books & More's grand opening and still stops passersby on West Main Street today.

For Cecile, who runs her own creative business under the name Lola Love Letter, the connection was immediate.

"As a fellow small business owner, I immediately connected with that project. I love when new businesses open in downtown communities. Small businesses are so important to the success of our communities."

The fact that this new business was a bookstore made it even more meaningful. Likely Story is a fiction-focused shop, and to Cecile, supporting it meant supporting something bigger: reading, literacy and everything that comes with them. "I immediately knew that I wanted to support her through my art," she said.

Once the project was underway, Cecile approached it like any client collaboration. Petra had a few elements she wanted to include, starting with flowers. Cosmos, one of Petra's favorites, already appear in the bookstore's logo, so they became the heart of the design. Painted book covers joined the blooms, and Cecile built the entire palette from the colors in Petra's logo so that every element felt branded and cohesive.

Then came a happy surprise. When Petra chose the books to display in the front windows, their purple and pink covers matched the mural almost perfectly.

"She could not have picked better. The purples and the pinks matched the covers perfectly."

Cecile also wanted the mural to carry a feeling that suits a shop full of stories. "I wanted the mural to capture a romantic vibe so that visitors could really be swept off their feet by a new book," she said. "I hope people who visit this mural pick up a really good book!"

Asked what she hopes people feel when they see the mural, Cecile didn't hesitate: pure happiness, joy and excitement. The flowers carry a deeper message, too.

"Maybe even a feeling of growth, like summertime. The idea of things being planted and full. Full growth."

It's a fitting image for a brand-new business putting down roots on Main Street.

Cecile's favorite part of the project was something every muralist knows well: painting live while the world walks by. Neighbors and shoppers paused to watch and share a kind word, and those small moments stay with her.

"When someone walks by and takes a moment out of their day to say, 'Oh, that looks really good,' I think that's really cool. That brings a lot of fulfillment."

The project also gave her a gentle reminder. "This project reminded me to slow down and enjoy the moments painting," she said.

When Likely Story opened its doors, Cecile was there to see the line of people waiting outside, every one of them standing in front of her artwork. As the day unfolded, the mural took on a starring role. When local news crews interviewed Petra and influencers set up their B-roll, the painted windows became the natural backdrop.

"Whether or not that was intentional on her part, I think that's really cool," Cecile said. "This is why it's good to decorate your windows."

Petra saw the impact firsthand.

"The window opening brought so much attention to our space and encouraged even more people to stop in." - Petra Smith, owner, Likely Story Books & More

For Cecile, public art is about more than decoration. It's a way to give a community something beautiful to share, and a way to tell stories at every scale.

"For me, public art can tell a story in both small and big ways. Incorporating special details here and there into my work is important."

So when you visit, take a closer look. Those cosmos aren't just pretty flowers. They're Petra's favorites, woven into the story of her shop from the logo to the windows.

Cecile shares up-to-date work and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram at @lola.loveletter. To ask about a mural for your home or business, visit lolaloveletter.com or email cecile@lolaloveletter.com.

Getting started is simple. "It's really easy to just send me a picture of the space you're thinking about, and I can give you a free quote," she said. "It doesn't cost anything, and sometimes that's the easiest way to find out how much a mural costs."

Visit the bookstore: likelystorybooks.com · Instagram @likelystorybooksandmore

Who painted the mural at Likely Story Books & More in Leesburg?

Wildwood-area artist Cecile Madonna of Lola Love Letter painted the window mural for the bookstore's grand opening.

Where can I see the Likely Story mural?

The mural is on the front windows of Likely Story Books & More at 309 W. Main Street in downtown Leesburg, Florida, and can be viewed from the street.

What flowers are in the Likely Story mural?

The mural features cosmos, the bookstore owner's favorite flower, which also appears in the shop's logo.

How long did the mural take to paint?

Cecile completed the roughly 12-by-6-foot mural in two days, finishing on July 12, 2026.

Does Cecile Madonna paint murals in Wildwood?

Yes. Cecile serves the Wildwood area and takes mural commissions for homes and businesses. Reach her at lolaloveletter.com.

How can I get a quote for a mural from Lola Love Letter?

Email a photo of your space to cecile@lolaloveletter.com or reach out through lolaloveletter.com for a free quote.