In Living Color
Local artists, Chris and Jess Fonseca, are living a colorful life.
Chris and Jess Fonseca didn’t pick art. Art picked them. It tugged at their sleeves, wouldn’t leave them alone, until they finally shrugged and said, “Fine. What do you want from us?”
For these two, joy lives in color. It’s the thrill of a bold mural blazing across a wall, the smell of paint on their hands, the ridiculous satisfaction of stepping back and realizing—you made this. In a world that can feel heavy, messy, and loud, painting is their lifeline, a way to corral racing thoughts and turn them into something beautiful.
Chris has a theory: everything in life can be a Hallmark movie, especially here in Winter Garden. Every coffee shop, tiny street corner, and friendly neighbor encounter is a scene waiting to happen. “It’s not just about romance,” she says, laughing. “It’s about moments. Everything can feel cinematic if you let it.” Jess? She’s the quiet, fierce architect behind the crisp lines and perfect symmetry that make the magic hold together. Detail is her jam.
Their brains work differently, which makes life interesting. Jess has autism and craves structure and clarity; Chris has ADHD and thrives on chaos and energy. Together, they’ve built systems, rhythms, and ways to communicate that make everything—from business to marriage to murals—actually work. Jess leads the creative side, shaping bold designs and flawless patterns. Chris handles logistics: scheduling, clients, social media. On a job site, Jess is in the zone; in the office, Chris is running the show.
Today, their murals bloom across central Florida walls—colorful, defiant, tender. But what they’ve really built through MLynn Creative isn’t just art. It’s proof that joy and mental health can coexist, that creativity can save you in the middle of a mess. For them, joy isn’t a permanent state—it’s a heartbeat, a sparkle, a line drawn, and a wall finished. It’s laughter over paint-splattered floors, pride in bold color choices, the relief of finishing something that once seemed impossible.
Their love story is the kind Hallmark dreams of: two women meeting on early-days Tinder, one hesitant, one relentless, both surprised when it stuck. But Chris jokes that Hallmark movies always end too early. “They never show what happens after the happy ending,” she says. “That’s the Lifetime sequel.” And they’ve lived it—navigating ADHD, autism, marriage, and business ownership, sometimes all in the same afternoon. “We used to think if it was hard, something was wrong,” Jess says. “Now we know that love isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s choosing each other every day, even when it’s messy.”
In the rhythm of brushstrokes, laughter, and chaos, Chris and Jess have learned that showing up—fully, imperfectly—is where joy, art, and life converge.
From Rails to Trails
Where freight once rumbled, footsteps now wander. In the 1980s, the Battaglia Fruit Company sat east of downtown Winter Garden, with trains passing by. By the late ’90s, those tracks were replaced by the West Orange Trail, transforming a shipping corridor into a community path.
Market Watch
With Britt Robles
Join Britt as she makes her way through the Winter Garden Farmers Market.
Ninja Cat Woodworks
Handcrafted herringbone board with Purpleheart detail. It feels too beautiful to use, but you’ll want to anyway.
An Apron Story
Reversible apron with attitude. Stay polished, skip the stains, and make the holiday chaos look good.
Black Brew Brothers Coffee
Flan Iced Coffee that drinks like dessert. Creamy, caramel-kissed, and quietly addictive.
Psst! West Orange has a new unofficial mascot… black bears have been spotted roaming Oakland Town and Nature Preserve. Oakland Town and Nature Preserve. Locals are joking that they’re just here for brunch, and honestly, who could blame them?
Especially when brunch (and lunch and dinner) now includes Jam Hot Chicken at Plant Street Market, and it’s already living up to its name. The spice? Perfect. The crunch? Addictive. The vibe? Straight fire.
Over on West Colonial, long lines are forming at the brand-new H Mart, and the verdict is in: worth it.
Here’s one for the carb lovers: the Scialoia family—yes, the same crew behind Bayhill Plaza’s beloved Italian eatery—is expanding their empire with Fresco Pizzeria, opening soon in the heart of Windermere. Expect wood-fired pizzas made from 48-hour fermented dough, housemade pastas, seafood, and yes, a grab-and-go section full of cannolis and Italian sandwiches. Basically, your new happy place smells like garlic and dreams.
Good news for Revel Realty, who opens the doors on their new home offices in downtown Winderemere.
Not all news is saucy, though. That One Spot Burgers in Ocoee is saying goodbye, at least for now. Owner Roy Hall promises he’s already scouting for a new location. Here’s hoping the next spot is just as juicy.
And to end on a high (and healthy) note: Live Well in Horizon West is coming January 18th, and it’s all about movement, recovery, and good vibes.
This wellness-first social event — presented by Orlando Health (and a little help from yours truly and Horizon West Happenings) — promises to make “feeling good” the new community sport.
