Raine Clotfelter, known by his professional alias "America's Muralist," has completed his fifth mural for the city of Aurora, Missouri, as part of the town's celebrated "All Roads Lead Home" series. The accomplished artist has been transforming the visual landscape of Aurora with large-scale murals that showcase the town's rich identity and heritage, creating landmarks that resonate with both residents and visitors.

"We've soaked up all of the Aurora history and the people and the things that we're passionate about," said Kim McCully Mobley, co-director of the Aurora Houn Dawg Alumni & Outreach Center. The murals scattered throughout Aurora serve as visual storytellers, capturing the essence of the community and its values.

Clotfelter's artistic journey is particularly remarkable given his unconventional background. The self-taught artist never took a single art class during his education. "I went to school in Antlers, Oklahoma, and it was a very small school, and they didn't have art," Clotfelter explained. Despite this limitation, his natural talent and attention to detail have earned him recognition for his amazing ability to blend colors and create intricate artwork.

Following in his father's footsteps, Clotfelter joined the Navy, where his artistic abilities were first formally recognized. When he applied to become an illustrator draftsman, his portfolio stood out among all applicants. "My portfolio was selected first across the board, and I scored the highest out of all 22 applicants on the exam," he recalled with pride.

For 23 years, Clotfelter worked alongside Admirals, command staff, and NCIS in his military career. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he was commissioned to paint a mural in a conference room in Tulsa. That single project sparked a chain reaction that would define his future career. One job led to two, then three, and eventually his wife Trish suggested a bold career change.

"Why don't you just go on the road doing murals? That's what you love to do," Trish had suggested. Clotfelter initially doubted the viability of such a venture, laughing as he remembered thinking, "No one's gonna pay me to do this." He admitted with good humor, "She was right. I was wrong. Of course. You know how that works." This decision launched his successful career as a traveling muralist.

Clotfelter and his team have since traveled extensively across the United States. "We have been from coast to coast doing murals all across the country, and it's been fantastic," he said. One of his most celebrated works is located just down the road from Aurora in Monett - the Freedom Silo, which has become one of Harley-Davidson's must-visit photo opportunities for motorcycle enthusiasts.

The Freedom Silo has achieved remarkable recognition within the motorcycle community. "The last couple of years, I think it was their number one destination out of 10 in America for motorcyclists to go to," Clotfelter noted. "They have 100 destinations worldwide, and that was also listed in the top 100!" This achievement demonstrates the broad appeal and impact of his artistic work.

Now back in Aurora, Clotfelter is putting the finishing touches on his latest masterpiece. Two of his murals already adorn the exterior of the Old Armory, while inside the building, he's completing mural number five for the city's "All Roads Lead Home" series. This particular mural features a postcard design that carries deep emotional significance.

"The postcard sends a message of how important it was to communicate with your soldiers and your loved ones who were fighting," Kim McCully Mobley explained. "The idea that people wanted to stay connected and they wanted people to know that they loved them, that they supported them, from near and far. And that's kind of the message that we wanted to send with that postcard."

Throughout his career, Clotfelter has completed approximately 280 murals across the country. However, this Aurora project holds special significance as it represents his first mural created specifically to commemorate America's 250th birthday, which will be celebrated next summer. "But the important part is 250 years of freedom," Clotfelter emphasized. "A lot of countries don't have that."

The community will have the opportunity to celebrate this artistic achievement at a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Friday, August 22, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the Aurora School District offices on South Madison, where residents and visitors can join in recognizing this latest addition to Aurora's growing collection of public art that celebrates American history and local heritage.