Adventures in Oversized Public Art

I am a muralist. Graphic design has been a large part of my career, and still is, however since 2015 I’ve painted over 45 large public works of art in Arkansas. Over time, mural painting has grown to be a major part of my creative output. Mural painting is a powerful way to connect a community to art, and with every mural that I create I focus on how those connections should manifest.

Beyond the finished artwork, the process of painting in public engages the community in a very direct way. People walk up, converse, and ask questions about the artwork. Others will drive by, honk, and give a thumbs up (which I refer to as a LIVE Instagram like.) Parents will bring their children to watch, and I even let them paint sometimes. The mural installation is an event that let’s the community feel a part of the artwork that is displayed in the places that they live. Ultimately, my goal with each mural is to carefully and thoughtfully connect the visual content to it’s location.

Giving a Voice

Every mural is an opportunity to represent under served and minority communities through the work. For example, I worked with The Confess Project in Little Rock. Created by Lorenzo Lewis, this national program uses community barber training to address mental health issues for Black men.

To reflect this mission, the mural featured portraits of two towering figures in mental health, Doctors Francis Sumner and Joseph White. Rather than depicting them in traditional portraits, these two men are reimagined as a barber and patron, engaged in the time-honored tradition of conversation during a trim. In doing so, the mural tied directly to the mission of The Confess Project. As a result, it gave the community center a visual focal point that reinforced its mission.

The Written Word Remains

I designed a mural for Read This! which is a university sponsored program that creates an opportunity for students and the surrounding community to all read the same book together. There are lectures, contests, and other enriching and educational events that culminate with a presentation by the author of the chosen book. In 2022 the book Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann was chosen. As a result, I was inspired to paint a mural in the writing center on campus titled The Written Word Remains. I worked closely and with the blessing of representatives from the Osage Nation to create a mural design that featured one of the first uses of the Osage written language in a large public artwork.

No Child Should Ever Go Hungry

I created a mural for the Community Clearing House children’s backpack program. Through this program, hundreds of children in our local community receive food every month. At the heart of the operation is a large room where volunteers pack backpacks with food and other essential items. Afterward, these backpacks are distributed to children in need. Despite the importance of this work, the room had a drab wall that served as the backdrop for donor photos. Recognizing an opportunity for change, I set out to bring more color and purpose to the space. I painted a mural titled No Child Should Ever Go Hungry. With its vibrant colors, the artwork transformed the room and reinforced the program’s mission. Today, every photo taken in front of the mural shares that message with the broader community.

Alphonso Trent and the Southwest Territory Band

I had the opportunity to create a mural for a music venue in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Because the venue hosted numerous musical acts throughout the year, I began researching Fort Smith’s rich musical history to find a mural concept that would connect the venue to the city’s cultural heritage. As someone who is not a Fort Smith native, I wasn’t sure what I would discover. Initially, I expected to find a well-known musical celebrity with ties to this Arkansas city. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to uncover the story of Alphonso Trent, a remarkable figure in American music history.

Alphonso Trent: Musical Pioneer

In particular, Trent stood out as one of the pioneering Black orchestra leaders who traveled extensively throughout the United States. He led an all-Black orchestra known as the Southwest Territory Band. Through his work, Trent helped pave the way for influential bandleaders such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. However, Trent’s story also reveals the racial barriers Black musicians faced during that era. Historical accounts describe how Trent and his orchestra, despite their popularity and extensive touring, were often denied accommodations at the very hotels where they performed.

In spite of these obstacles, Trent continued to make his mark on American music. For this reason, I felt he was a fitting subject for a Fort Smith history mural. Ultimately, honoring Alphonso Trent through public art allowed me to connect the city’s musical heritage with its present-day cultural life. His pioneering story deserved to be remembered on the walls of this historic Arkansas pioneer city.

Art that Enhances Quality of Place

In every mural I am always looking for opportunities to feature visuals that inform, enrich, inspire, and delight the viewer. I do not limit myself to a single subject matter. Instead, I try to allow history, purpose, place, and community connection to be the guides in every concept.

Mural design and painting has given me a fresh creative outlet to make art that is full of expression with strong ties to the places it inhabits. It has expanded the scope of what I thought I was capable of creatively and given me confidence in my own ability. I am proud of what the work has done for my community and region. People simply love it, and that makes me love it even more. I am continually amazed at the impact art can make on individuals and communities and I hope to be a part of that for as long as I can hold a brush.

Start Your Public Art Adventure!

Ultimately this experience has really turned me on to creating oversized public art. Murals can really enhance your space, indoors or out, They can attract customers, or make a statement. If you would like a mural, feel free to contact me. We can discuss the process, fees, and supplies. You can be on your way to becoming the talk of the town, in a good way.

START A MURAL PROJECT