America’s Muralist commemorates late
Cassville attorney, Emory Melton
Tricia (left) and Raine Clotfelter, “America’s Muralist,” pose beside a completed mural at The Barry County Advertiser.
The double-themed mural, shown above, was recently completed by Raine Clotfelter, “America’s Muralist,” on two walls of The Barry County Advertiser’s offices in Cassville.
Adrienne Quiros-Zucca, an art student at Cassville High School, applies her portrait skills to the face of Emory Melton.
March 31, 2021
Raine Clotfelter, “America’s Muralist,” is busy preserving the history of small towns across America. His latest work is in Cassville, painted in Benjamin Moore acrylic on two exterior walls of The Barry County Advertiser and Litho Printer offices at 201 9th Street. Muralized on one wall is a bucolic scene at Roaring River State Park; the other wall depicts the Barry County courthouse with beloved attorney and past state senator, Emory Melton, emerging in sharp relief from the background.
The idea for the exterior murals was the culmination of the ongoing remodeling of the interior office spaces, which included moving the front entrance from the lower level on West Street, to the upper level which faces 9th Street, directly north of the post office.
“We originally thought about having Raine maybe paint a scene that included a vintage printing press,” Marty Jenkins, Barry County Advertiser publisher and Litho print shop manager, said. “Then we realized that a mural would be a wonderful way to commemorate Emory and all the things he’s done for our community.”
Melton, for years, was part owner of The Cassville Republican before it ceased publication. In 1960, Melton established Litho Printers, followed by The Barry County Advertiser – with the help of his wife, Jean – in 1967.
Jenkins, who looked to Emory Melton as a mentor, gave Raine Clotfelter ideas to be used for the mural design on a portion of the wall facing 9th Street; Clotfelter then came up with a sketch which he presented to Jenkins and Stan Melton (Emory Melton’s son) for approval. After the assenting nod was given, the project quickly moved forward.
Clotfelter said a total of 14 working days were put into the creation of the mural, which had to be carefully planned around the weather. The design was sketched in mostly by hand, except for the more detailed portrait of Emory Melton and the state seal behind him. For those, a projected image was cast on the building and used as a guide for sketching.
A Cassville High School art student and employee of The Barry County Advertiser, Adrienne Quiros-Zucca, was given the opportunity by Clotfelter to paint the face of Emory Melton into the mural, an invitation she promptly accepted.
Clotfelter used about eight gallons of paint in mostly primary colors for the mural.
“I mix a lot of the colors myself,” he said, “starting with the primaries.”
Clotfelter, who lives in Branson with his wife Tricia, had no formal art training before joining the U.S. Navy and emerging with a career in graphic design and art.
Because painting murals as a way of preserving history is Clotfelter’s passion, Tricia encouraged him to follow that dream after his retirement.
“So far, I’ve painted about 170 pieces. About 60 percent of them are murals,” Clotfelter said.
Clotfelter said he’s currently booked through November of this year. Nearby Aurora is next on his list, where a mural will be painted on a dentist’s office with the assistance of high school art students.
Those interested in more information about Raine Clotfelter’s work are invited to visit his website at www.americasmuralist.com.
A formal mural dedication ceremony to honor Emory Melton is being planned for later in the spring at The Barry County Advertiser.
Raine Clotfelter, “America’s Muralist,” is busy preserving the history of small towns across America. His latest work is in Cassville, painted in Benjamin Moore acrylic on two exterior walls of The Barry County Advertiser and Litho Printer offices at 201 9th Street. Muralized on one wall is a bucolic scene at Roaring River State Park; the other wall depicts the Barry County courthouse with beloved attorney and past state senator, Emory Melton, emerging in sharp relief from the background.
The idea for the exterior murals was the culmination of the ongoing remodeling of the interior office spaces, which included moving the front entrance from the lower level on West Street, to the upper level which faces 9th Street, directly north of the post office.
“We originally thought about having Raine maybe paint a scene that included a vintage printing press,” Marty Jenkins, Barry County Advertiser publisher and Litho print shop manager, said. “Then we realized that a mural would be a wonderful way to commemorate Emory and all the things he’s done for our community.”
Melton, for years, was part owner of The Cassville Republican before it ceased publication. In 1960, Melton established Litho Printers, followed by The Barry County Advertiser – with the help of his wife, Jean – in 1967.
Jenkins, who looked to Emory Melton as a mentor, gave Raine Clotfelter ideas to be used for the mural design on a portion of the wall facing 9th Street; Clotfelter then came up with a sketch which he presented to Jenkins and Stan Melton (Emory Melton’s son) for approval. After the assenting nod was given, the project quickly moved forward.
Clotfelter said a total of 14 working days were put into the creation of the mural, which had to be carefully planned around the weather. The design was sketched in mostly by hand, except for the more detailed portrait of Emory Melton and the state seal behind him. For those, a projected image was cast on the building and used as a guide for sketching.
A Cassville High School art student and employee of The Barry County Advertiser, Adrienne Quiros-Zucca, was given the opportunity by Clotfelter to paint the face of Emory Melton into the mural, an invitation she promptly accepted.
Clotfelter used about eight gallons of paint in mostly primary colors for the mural.
“I mix a lot of the colors myself,” he said, “starting with the primaries.”
Clotfelter, who lives in Branson with his wife Tricia, had no formal art training before joining the U.S. Navy and emerging with a career in graphic design and art.
Because painting murals as a way of preserving history is Clotfelter’s passion, Tricia encouraged him to follow that dream after his retirement.
“So far, I’ve painted about 170 pieces. About 60 percent of them are murals,” Clotfelter said.
Clotfelter said he’s currently booked through November of this year. Nearby Aurora is next on his list, where a mural will be painted on a dentist’s office with the assistance of high school art students.
Those interested in more information about Raine Clotfelter’s work are invited to visit his website at www.americasmuralist.com.
A formal mural dedication ceremony to honor Emory Melton is being planned for later in the spring at The Barry County Advertiser.