Meet the artist behind Lamar’s newest mural

Mural Artist Cody Miell

Lamar’s newest wall mural, located on the north side of the building at 123 N. Main (just across the street from Electro Pro) has garnered a great deal of attention recently.  The mural was made possible by a Lamar Main Street mini-grant. Anyone driving into town from the north cannot miss the brightly-colored depiction of Lamar’s first responders, set against an American flag and a Colorado sunset, with a bison, Lamar’s iconic 1819 train engine and the words “Lamar, CO” superimposed over the Colorado logo. Whimsical black and white cows dot the sky, along with a semi-truck driving along the top of the sunset, adding to the further representation of our area. It is visually stunning and even more stunning to many is the speed with which it was produced.  I reached out to Cody Miell, the artist, to ask him a few questions about himself and the process behind painting such large murals so quickly.

What got you started doing murals?  “I’ve always loved working big.  I started out doing smaller illustrations, painting, and digital art, but the first time I painted on a wall, it just clicked.  There’s something really energizing about transforming a public space.  Plus, there’s nothing quite like stepping back and seeing something huge come to life that used to be just an idea in your head.”

How long have you been doing these?  “I’ve been painting on walls since my teens.  It started more casually, but over time, it grew into a real part of my identity as an artist.  Over the last few years, I started commissioning larger murals.  It started when I created a piece for the Otero County Courthouse in La Junta.  Since then, I’ve been doing larger murals around southeast Colorado”.

Did you have any formal training or have you just always been this talented?  “I earned a B.A. in Multimedia Arts and was lucky to grow up in a really encouraging circle that supported the arts.  After college, I spent about 16 years working for a media company, eventually becoming an Art Director.  I created marketing materials and edited commercials for numerous clients across the United States.  That experience definitely sharpened my eye for composition, storytelling, and design – all of which feeds into how I approach murals today.  So, it’s been a mix of formal education, real-world practice, and just staying creatively curious.”

Where are you from?  If not local, what brought you to SE Colorado?  “I’m originally from LaJunta.  After high school, I moved to Denver and spent several years there working in the creative industry.  Eventually, I started working remotely, which gave me the freedom to move back to southeast Colorado and reconnect with my roots.  I saw an opportunity to open up my own art studio in Rocky Ford and ran with it.  While I still work on digital projects, coming back was also about returning to a more hands-on, physical approach to art – painting walls, traditional fine art, and being part of the community that shaped me.”

What other art projects interest you and what else have you done?  “These days, I spend most of my time screen printing – mostly T-shirts and the occasional poster.  I’ve also been making custom wooden signs, which has been a fun way to combine design with woodworking.  I love projects that are hands-on and have a practical use – there’s something satisfying about creating art that people can wear or hang up.  Over the years, I’ve also done a lot of digital work, including marketing materials and video editing, but I’ve been gravitating more toward tangible, physical projects that let me get my hands dirty.”

What is your inspiration and what is the design process behind these large paintings?  “Inspiration comes from everywhere – local stories, nature, music, old signage, memories, etc.  I usually start by talking with people and asking questions.  From there, I sketch rough ideas and refine the concept.”

How on earth can you paint them so quickly?  “I get that a lot! I think it comes down to experience and preparation.  I plan out the layout pretty tightly ahead of time, so once I’m on-site, it’s all about execution.  I grab the tape measure, make a few key marks, and lean on some tried-and-true tricks of the trade that artists have passed down over the years.  And honestly, I couldn’t do it as quickly without the support of family and friends who lend a hand when needed- whether it’s holding a ladder, helping tape things off, or just keeping the momentum going.”

Do you have any other hobbies or interests?  “Outside of traditional art, music is a huge part of my life.  I play guitar and perform with my band, The BluntFull – it’s one of my favorite creative outlets.  There’s something about the energy of live music and collaborating with others that really fuels my creativity.  I also write songs and poetry, which give me a more personal space to explore and process my thoughts and experiences in a deeper, more introspective way.”

Cody is also the artist who painted the American flag mural across the street to the north of Frontier Bank in Lamar.  If you’re interested in commissioning a mural or discussing a project with Cody, feel free to reach out to him through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cmiellart  or via his website at miellstudio.com   For anyone interested in his band, you can follow it at https://www.facebook.com/TheBluntFull/

By: Barbara Crimond