Most painting seasons continue from about April until November first due to the changing weather in Missouri. This week RayHarveyArt will complete the 2024 mural making season in downtown Kirksville, MO. The 70’ wide full color painting is located on the square and across the street from the courthouse. The Kirksville Arts Council is responsible for bringing Mr. Harvey’s Art to the city. ‘The design discussion began last May,’ Harvey said, “and it’s fitting that the subject of the painting is the last of the season!” This is because the mural recognizes the four seasons of Missouri. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and are colorfully depicted in the scene. The art is designed to be an iconic scene for Kirksville and Missouri. ‘The changing seasons is one of the best attributes of our state” added Ray Harvey, owner of RayHarveyArt and creator of the next tourist destination in Kirksville!
Missouri’s Small Town Muralist Completes the 2024 Painting Season in Kirksville, MO!
Route 66 in Kingman, AZ Ends in Two New Murals!
Over two weeks and 3,600 miles took us to Kingman to create two new murals for Mudd on 66, a new coffee shop, and Tin Can Alley, a WIP vintage airstream Air B&B park. The entire complex is expected to be fully functional by Autumn of 2024. I got it kicked of with a Kingman postcard design and the mural in the trailer Park.
Route 66 in Waynesville, MO Now Complete
Early Spring temperatures helped me get a quick start to the painting season. I found myself only steps away from the Mother Road to create this small but mighty mural. At only 64 square feet, this little garage door comes alive with a vintage corvette peering from the opening showing a working grease monkey garage. This makes a perfect selfie spot for visitors to the town!
‘Farmer Proud” Becomes a Reality in Marshall, MO
The richest soil, the farthest horizon and the hard working farmer depicted in my newest mural in Marshall, MO! Paying homage to the Midwest farmer, their Midwest values and their Midwestern work ethic I created this scene for them. If you ate today, thank a farmer! The farmer shown is Mr. Hisle, a longtime citizen in the area. Part of the his family are shown at the completion of the mural.
‘Mississippi Morning” Mural Dawns in Watlow Electric
It may be January but my 2024 painting season began already at Watlow Electric in Hannibal, MO. The necessity of a scene that depicted the character of Hannibal to their many international clients and guests, I designed a quiet, warm summer morning with the early day action of incoming and outgoing historical riverboats and the sun glistening on the new day. Potential and positivity, a motto of Watlow! 40’ x 10’
How do you spell a great town on Route 66? W-A-Y-N-E-S-V-I-L-L-E
My final mural of the 2023 painting season brought me back to nostalgic Route 66 in historical Waynesville, MO. A new Dollar store was constructed right on the route and it was necessary to bring the new structure into the character of the town. Only a few miles away from Ft. Leonardwood, many family visitors come through the historical area and there was a desire to greet them with the best elements of Waynesville. Thus, a new mural depicting eleven hi-lites of the town on the Mother Road. At about seventy feet long the mural spells out the sights of Waynesville, MO. A great new photo spot!
Much Anticipated B2 Bomber Mural Takes-off in Concordia!
From the minute I saw this potential mural wall on Charlie’s Pub, I knew what it should be! I wanted a mural of a B2 as awesome as the original. Flying through the clouds giving you the feeling of flight. Eighty feet wide was enough space to legitimately give homage to this inspirational plane. Just down the road from Concordia in Knob Noster, MO is Whiteman Air Force base which is the only home for this airplane. Residents see the actual aircraft fly across the skies regularly. And if that was not enough, my wife and I were along for a tour of the bade and not only viewed the B2, but we actually sat in the cockpit! That’s what I call a successful mural project.
A Big Night for Ray Harvey Art in Hannibal!
I’ve always said the life of an artist takes many turns but what happened on November 7th, 2023 I never saw coming. On that evening at the monthly Hannibal City Council meeting Micheal Dobson, mayor pro tem, presented me with a proclamation on behalf of the city. This proclamation describes the large body of work I’ve created in Hannibal since 2018. About twenty-five murals and hundreds of new friends have developed since the first phone call from local developer Brad Walden that Spring of 2018. Dobson stated that the work I’ve created has become its own tourist draw in the city. Then, along with the proclamation was a gift of the “key to the city.” A gift that I only believed happened in movies, was placed in my hand. A symbol to say thank you and I’m always welcome in Hannibal. What began with one phone call and one painting has developed into a relationship with one of the best small towns in Missouri!
Very Small Towns can Make the Best Canvas for Progress!
A small town in upstate rural Missouri, named LaBelle with a population of 660 became the latest to commission and proudly display a new mural by RayHarveyArt! On the wall of city hall at the only flashing signal light in town, a 60’ wide original painting is now complete. Initially the new Mayor hoped to hide the new mural so as to make a big splash unveiling this week but the wind, storms and sun had other ideas. Mayor Zac Sharpe, the 26 year old leader of the town wants to always show progress and one of the many projects was this mural. LaBelle is the home to the longest running Rodeo in Missouri so two things the residents are proud of… America and Rodeo! The design by Ray Harvey was easily chosen as the first mural in LaBelle months ago with the completion of the art just this week. Just in time for Independence Day! The painting is viewed every day as most travelers need to pass by for work and other destinations. There is also a great viewing spot from the newest merchant, the “Handlebar”coffee shop right across the street.
The next time you find yourself on the road about 40 miles west of Hannibal stop at a town that exemplifies rural Missouri. LaBelle!
Painting Patriotic at a Patriotic Company!
This week finds me back in Hannibal at a company named Bleigh Readymix. Having already displaying the American flag on all of their trucks, they’ve decided to expand the image onto the building. At a total height of 55 feet tall, it will be the tallest flag I have painted.