Artist Ray Harvey used his vintage widelux camera for this panoramic photo of his mural.

Artist Ray Harvey used his vintage widelux camera for this panoramic photo. The camera gives the mural the "curved" effect. Copyright Ray Harvey.

Cuba, MO is known as Rt. 66 Mural City. Originally, the designation was the result of Viva Cuba’s 12 outdoor murals. But a consequence of the original mural program is that local businesses have embraced the idea of art, and other examples of public art have spread throughout Cuba.

The latest example is artist Ray Harvey’s mural Classic Road Show at the Midwest Petroleum’s Travel Plaza at the I-44 overpass. The indoor mural stretches above the lobby between the restaurant and convenience store. Harvey has taken many of the classic autos that people might associate with Rt. 66 and featured them in the colorful mural, which spans 50 feet above the lobby.

Here are a few scenes from the  mural’s creation.

The project started with sketch of the mural.

The project started with sketch of the mural.

Using the sketch as a guide, Harvey made an outline of the mural on the painting surface. Normally, he can project the outlines on the surface, but the well-lit lobby prevented that.

Using the sketch as a guide, Harvey made an outline of the mural on the painting surface. Normally, he can project the outlines on the surface, but the well-lit lobby prevented that. Harvey did his painting standing on the Travel Plaza's lift.

At the midpoint of painting, Harvey painted the Rt. 66 shield on the mural. He took this photo himself--a tricky shot.

At the midpoint of painting, Harvey painted the Rt. 66 shield on the mural. He took this photo himself--a tricky shot.

The vibrant car mural draws many appreciative looks from passersby and the truckers' section of the nearby restaurant.

The vibrant car mural draws many appreciative looks from passersby and the truckers' section of the nearby restaurant.

Congratulations to artist Ray Harvey and Midwest Petroleum Travel Plaza on their contribution to the Route 66 Mural City’s public art. We think you should should get a “A Best of Show” ribbon for your Classic Road Show mural. Our question now is where’s the Classic Road Show T-Shirt?

To see more public art outside the Viva Cuba Mural Project in Cuba MO, and other Ray Harvey art in Cuba go here.

To see Ray Harvey’s website, go here.

To read the story behind Harvey’s Bette Davis mural, go here.

To see Harvey’s murals on the Phillips 66 station, go here.

To learn about the widelux camera and see more of Harvey’s widelux shots, go here.

Ray Harvey painted his own car show.

Ray Harvey painted his own car show.

Mural image rights reserved to Ray Harvey