GRANTS, NM – Grants, New Mexico is a little more beautiful since muralists James Emory and his younger brother Blake went to work. They are telling the story of the Grants people with their paintbrushes.
James is also a resident of the Cibola area. His love for the town and its people began in 2005 when he moved here to join his parents in their off-the-grid lifestyle. Since then, he has married and has added to the local population.
The Emory brothers are working on their fourth mural in about as many weeks. They work quickly on large projects that might take other artists weeks to complete. James candidly revealed that using practical methods is part of their process. There are two of them, they use bigger brushes and a sprayer. They take a break if they begin feeling a sense of burnout.
But the biggest incentive to stick to their work is the positive feedback from passers-by. “The comments are authentic; they drive me to do more.”
Emory was sincere when he said that they are encouraged by locals and thus determined to complete their images. They are grateful to create these murals for their community.
The artists were impressed by their experience as they painted the east side of Southwest Home Care on Santa Fe Avenue. The older brother recalls, “Some of the former miners came out to offer praise, encouragement, and appreciation as we painted their mural.”
Emory’s mural commemorating the Grant’s mining community.
“There were about 10 retired miners, male and female, who joined us to watch and show their appreciation,” Emory recounted.
The brothers experienced further community support at, or all places, Mc-Donald’s. They had just gone for refreshments, when a few of the other customers recognized them. Gradually word spread through the restaurant. There were about 15-20 people present who showed their gratitude with a standing ovation. One customer told them that having their stories depicted in such a manner made them feel better.
Emory agreed with that statement, “It’s not about how good your painting is, but about how it makes you feel.”
The Ethereal style of painting, which is a subjective use of light and symbolic imagery, can easily be seen in Emory’s murals and is a major influence in his self-expression.
“The Ethereal influence leaves room for the imagination. Your style is not spelled out with crisp and pristine lines. It represents the neverending possibilities of art.”
On a personal level, Emory admits, “In the studio, style evolves every day, naturally, through repetitive practice.”
Emory was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, but his art has enabled him to make connections across our country.
In Plant City, Florida he painted a mural for the Department of Transportation representing the changes in the transportation industry. The creative imagery begins with a 1930s theme in black and white. Along the way, as the mural’s images approach the year 2000, they also switch to color. Also in Plant City, he painted an Aztec calendar on the ceiling of La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant.
As he paints the country his murals also appear in Tampa and Ybor City, Florida and California.
Now, Grants, New Mexico is benefitting from Emory’s creativity. He calls Grants a “small town with big dreams”.
“I like Grants because I can see the people,” Emory admitted.
His connection with the community includes painting a kitten for a little girl, just because she asked him to. A meeting with the mayor is also on the painter’s calendar. His purpose is to suggest an artistic splash park for young people that would double as a skating rink.
Emory has more murals in mind and wants to work closely with Mainstreet Project and other Grants city officials. He would like to see the funding that is received, stay in Grants, and not get redirected to Albuquerque.
“We could make this town huge, awesome, very attractive! We need stores, shops, and native wares. Murals add an eclectic feel.” His enthusiasm is contagious and hopefully, he will succeed.
“With thriftiness and hard work we can make it happen,” continued Emory.
His murals also continue to happen. Pizza 9 has commissioned a wraparound mural, changing from the 1950s to the 1960s as you drive-thru to pick up your pizza.
“It will be an instant landmark,” said the artist, “increasing business.”
Grants High School also has the inspired idea of painting the students’ parking spaces.
Once creativity begins, there is no end of possibilities. The Grants community has plenty of inspiration. The images for the recent mural, added to the Cibola Arts Council building on W. Santa Fe Avenue, are one example of community input. The Arts Council Board of Directors met to discuss a theme that would be something other than Route 66.
“We wanted to tell a story about where we come from, who we are people as a people,” said John Martinez, the former Vice President of the Council.
The resulting mural contains images representing Grants’ Origin, “the diversity of the community that can be seen in its Native population, Anglo, and Hispanic residents, and the geography of sandstone bluffs and blue skies,” Martinez added.
Included in the mural, Mount Taylor is sacred to its surrounding tribes, and El Morro has a history with the Spanish conquistadores and those who left their signatures embedded in the sandstone.
Those signatures say to us, “We were here,” as Emory seems to say by embedding his murals on our buildings.