Work Almost Complete On Oklahoma Themed Mural In Collinsville

An art project in Collinsville is getting a lot of attention as a man paints a 140-foot mural on Main Street.

It started with pencil sketches and is slowly turning into a work of art on a massive scale.

"Just working like crazy to get 'r' done but not be in a rush," said artist Raine Clotfelter.

Clotfelter says he's been working on the mural in downtown Collinsville for about 4 weeks, putting in 7 to 10 hours a day. This is just one project of many he's done across the country.

"We've done them as far down as Florida and when we leave here we're on our way to Ohio for a couple murals there then on to Tennessee," he said.

Clotfelter says he spent 22 years in the Navy as an illustrator draftsman, then used those skills to create giant masterpieces like this. He says this project brought him back to a state he loves.

"Believe it or not, being that we're here in Oklahoma, I was raised in my teenage years not far from here in a little place called Antlers, Oklahoma in the Southeast corner of the state," he said.

The Oklahoma history-themed mural is taking shape with a herd of bison and a Phillips gas station, but the project initially created some concerns.

The owner of the building says when work started on the mural, some people were upset when the white background paint covered up a popular spot for photos, but when the town realized what was coming, there was nothing but excitement.

"It's totally turned around. The city's called me and thanked me and people saying, 'Hey, we had no idea this is what you were going to do.' It's just been positive now," said Michael Steel.

Steel bought the nearly 100-year-old building in 2019 and is renovating it for his Bottoms Up Chop Shop. He says he wants the building to be a special part of Collinsville.  

"You've got to make a stamp in your community and what better way to show Oklahoma off as to put this on the side of your building," said Steel.

Clotfelter says he hopes to wrap up work on the mural by June 12th.