“Corn Cob City”

Boonville, MO

Before

Five Weeks, Two Walls, and a Whole Lot of Small Town Magic

I just wrapped up five whirlwind weeks painting a mural in the heart of Boonville, Missouri—and let me tell you, it was like living inside a small-town scrapbook full of charm, history, and more friendly faces than I could count.The mural stretches across the side of what will soon be a parking structure for new apartments—formerly the old corn cob pipe factory—and is filled with nods to Boonville’s history: the Missouri River, the Katy Bridge, farmland, and yes, even a little tribute to those famous pipes.

I had the best crew by my side. My mom and cousin showed up ready to work—with snacks, support, and serious stamina. My best friend, Laura King, brought the ultimate vibe: hilarious one-liners, perfectly timed jokes, and hands-down the best playlists (we’re talking dance breaks on the scaffolding kind of good). And of course, Tony Sanderford—my boyfriend, co-artist, and partner in paint. Tony is the kind of guy who can sketch a perfect train engine and solve a paint sprayer problem in under five minutes. We tag-teamed the whole thing, our hands always covered in color, often matching by accident, always working in sync. If murals had soundtracks, ours would be laughter, splattered paint, and a lot of “Wait, what if we add this?”

The people of Boonville were the heart of this project. We heard stories about the old factory, tales from the railroad days, and sweet memories of growing up here. Folks brought us coffee, honked as they drove by, and made us feel like part of the town from day one.

In the end, this mural became more than just paint on a wall—it became a celebration of Boonville’s past and future, made possible by a community that welcomed us with open arms and big hearts. I came to create art, but I left with friendships, stories, and a piece of Boonville forever etched in my heart (and on my clothes).