Stroke of Genius – Justin’s Muralist
Justin is Transforming Its City One Mural at a Time
If you stroll down West First Street in Old Town Justin these days, something new is bound to catch your eye. Gracing the side of the venerable Justin Discount Boots store, you will see a breathtaking mural that encapsulates the culture and history of this small, yet iconic, town.
Commissioned by the City of Justin, this captivating work represents the latest artistic addition to the city, thanks to the extraordinary vision of Adam Davenport, a nationally acclaimed artist whose talent unfurls like a thunderstorm across the prairies of Texas.
With meticulous attention to detail, Adam breathes life into the walls of Justin, transforming everyday spaces into vibrant canvases that celebrate both the artist and the city. The mural, which depicts a cattle drive with a dark, brooding storm on the horizon, stands as a testament to the progressive spirit of Justin, a city that embraces its heritage while looking forward to the future. The mural marks the latest work of art from Adam, whose portfolio includes the mural on the side of the Classy Cactus antique mall on West Third Street, the mural embellishing the Train and Depot area facing FM 156, and yet another at the Hilltop Truck Park just outside of town.
Collectively, each mural serves as a visual chronicle of Justin’s history while embracing its vibrant future. Woven seamlessly into the city’s identity, Justin’s past and present collide through his work, inspiring dialogue among residents and creating a newfound appreciation for the community they live in. The newly completed mural at Justin Discount Boots joins the ranks of iconic installations by Adam, transforming the town into a living gallery.
“My goal is to tell stories visually.”
Of course, to tell stories with this level of detail is a story unto itself. Adam spent three weeks completing the project, often braving freezing temperatures to do so. He laid the initial groundwork by visually creating a photoshopped image on his computer. Once he found an image he liked, Adam used a projection camera to shine the image along the side of the building. He then painstakingly sketched out the mural’s framework. After laying a base coat of paint using a spray gun, Adam climbed a scaffold, spending hours patiently blending the paint with a brush.
When asked of the source of his tenacious resolve, he commented, “You gotta be hard-headed and just keep doing it.”
A self-professed “art nerd,” Adam credits his love of art to his mother, whose watercolor paintings inspired him as a boy. Adam’s creative journey officially began in 1998 when he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice, a project that established his reputation not only as an artist but also as a keen observer of humanity. Earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2000, this early accomplishment laid the
foundation for a career that continually bridges the gap between artistry and the human experience.
Throughout his career, he has been inspired by profound events, notably the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. His personal experience with adversity shaped his artistic narrative, prompting him to depict poignant landscapes and thought-provoking portraits that tap into the emotional depths of the human condition. Imbued with a raw authenticity, each piece exhales tales of resilience and hope.
“You are the only limit to your creativity.”
The collaborative spirit of the City of Justin’s Economic Development Corporation and Community Development Corporation played a crucial role in funding these artistic endeavors. This support is emblematic of the city’s commitment to cultivating a thriving civil landscape, one in which creativity and community go hand in hand.
As residents and visitors alike behold these murals, they aren’t just witnessing art, they are partaking in an ongoing narrative of growth and transformation. In celebrating the everyday beauty of its people and places, the city of Justin is weaving a tapestry that honors its past while ushering in a hopeful future.
As we admire the mural adorning the iconic Justin Discount Boots building, we are reminded that art transcends the canvas or, in this case, a corrugated metal wall. It speaks to the extraordinary found within the ordinary, a hallmark of Adam Davenport’s work. Celebrating both the artist and the city, this mural stands as a testament to what can emerge when art finds a home in a community willing to nurture it.
