CLARKTON, Mo. — As most people were still asleep, artist Katie Coleman was already at work. The Dexter native arrived before sunrise, beginning her day at 5 a.m. to take advantage of cooler temperatures and the darkness needed to project her design onto a wall in Clarkton. By mid-morning, the striking image of KISS guitarist Ace Frehley was rapidly taking shape beneath her brush. A request made by Greg Reynolds of Clarkton area. For Coleman, creating large-scale murals has become more than a hobby. It is now her full-time profession. “I love it,” Coleman said. “I’ve been drawing since I was young.” Coleman earned an Associate Degree in Art from Three Rivers College, where instructors helped her develop techniques that eventually led to a successful mural business. “My art teacher taught me how to start using a projector and make things easier,” Coleman said. “It cuts out some of the hard steps so you can focus on the painting.” The mural underway in Clarkton was commissioned by local resident Greg Reynolds, whose favorite member of the legendary rock band KISS is Ace Frehley. Coleman carefully recreated the guitarist’s iconic black-and-white makeup design while adding her own artistic touches through vivid blue highlights and dramatic shading. “My art teacher taught me how to start using a projector and make things easier,” Coleman said. “It cuts out some of the hard steps so you can focus on the painting.” The mural underway in Clarkton was commissioned by local resident Greg Reynolds, whose favorite member of the legendary rock band KISS is Ace Frehley. Coleman carefully recreated the guitarist’s iconic black-and-white makeup design while adding her own artistic touches through vivid blue highlights and dramatic shading. The project is one of dozens Coleman has completed since launching her mural career in 2022. “Before the last four months, I was doing murals every weekend,” she said. “Now I’m doing them every day.” Among her previous projects is a mural completed for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library. That project, featuring historic newspaper imagery, took approximately three days to complete. Coleman estimates the KISS mural will require only a few hours of finishing work despite its impressive size. “I think I like it,” she said while stepping back to evaluate her progress. “It’s going pretty big.” Photos of Coleman’s work reveal an artist equally comfortable creating dramatic rock-and-roll portraits and inspirational community murals. A recent project at the Clarkton Day Care Center features hand-painted woodland scenes accompanied by encouraging messages such as “Be Kind to Others,” “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Keep Moving Forward.” Coleman says the murals are painted using quality exterior house paint designed to withstand weather and time. “The first one I did was in 2022, and it’s still holding strong,” she said. When asked about her future, Coleman laughed and admitted she is taking life one project at a time. “So far, I’m just winging it and going day by day,” she said. “But I’m hoping the art can continue for years.” That future appears bright. Following the Clarkton mural, Coleman is scheduled to begin work on another commissioned project in Neelyville. Residents interested in viewing more of Coleman’s artwork can find examples of her murals and paintings through her Facebook page, where she regularly posts completed projects from throughout Southeast Missouri. For a young artist who once doubted her abilities, Coleman has transformed her passion into a career, leaving colorful reminders across the Bootheel that art can inspire, encourage and bring communities together—one wall at a time. From Small-Town Artist to Regional Muralist Coleman’s path to becoming one of Southeast Missouri’s most recognizable mural artists began shortly after graduating from Three Rivers College in 2019 with an Associate of Arts degree. Like many young artists, she started small, offering canvas paintings and custom artwork through social media. What began as occasional commissions soon evolved into something much larger. While walking through downtown Dexter with a friend, Coleman noticed a newly painted butterfly mural and found herself inspired. “I remember looking at it and thinking, ‘I could do that,’” Coleman recalled during a recent interview. That simple observation would prove life-changing. Community leaders connected her with a mural opportunity, and before long Coleman was spending nearly every weekend transforming walls throughout the region into colorful works of art. Since painting her first mural in 2022, demand for her work has continued to grow. Today, her murals can be found in communities throughout Southeast Missouri, including Dexter, Kennett, Malden, Bernie, Scott City and beyond. What separates mural painting from other forms of art, Coleman says, is the opportunity to connect with people. She enjoys visiting businesses, churches, schools and homes, meeting residents and helping bring their ideas to life. Many projects begin with photographs or inspiration images provided by clients, which she then adapts into original artwork designed specifically for their location. The support she receives from local communities remains one of her favorite parts of the job. “People stop by to check on me, bring me drinks, snow cones and shade canopies,” she said. “Everybody is always so kind.” That small-town generosity has helped fuel her growing career. Although Coleman now spends much of her time painting large-scale murals, she says artistic talent was not something that came naturally. She credits years of high school art classes and dedicated teachers for helping her develop the skills she uses today. “I wasn’t always good at art,” she admitted. “It took a lot of practice, learning how to critique my work and figuring out how to improve.” Today, that persistence has paid off. Her portfolio includes athletic murals, church installations, nursery artwork, business branding projects and community beautification efforts. Among her favorite projects is a series of ocean-themed murals she completed for the children’s ministry area at Lighthouse Church in Dexter. Looking ahead, Coleman hopes her art can serve a purpose beyond decoration. She speaks passionately about using her creative abilities to encourage others, support worthy causes and make a positive impact on communities. Future goals include illustrating children’s books, creating educational artwork and participating in projects that promote environmental awareness. For now, however, the 26-year-old artist remains focused on one mural at a time. “I’m grateful for every opportunity,” she said. “I never expected this many people to want my artwork. I’m just taking it day by day and hoping it continues for years.” That hope appears well within reach as Coleman continues leaving her artistic mark across the Bootheel, one wall at a time. Visit Katie Coleman’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/katie.coleman.969300