By Michele Robertson
Carlsbad has some new color along its byways. A new mural is along San Jose Boulevard, titled “Neon Desert” by Annora Lemieux/Art by Annora, who has been working with large-scale murals for about a year now.
“When I arrived in Carlsbad, I experienced for the first time what it was like being in a sandy desert landscape. For this New Mexico mural, I used the state colors throughout the piece and made the colors poppy and eye-catching. I wanted the community to have a beautiful and colorful piece of work that would bring joy and light-heartedness to everyone who saw it,” said Lemieux.
“My favorite part of painting a mural in Carlsbad was being immersed in the community and
forming friendships with the amazing people there. My team and I also had quite the adventure
experiencing Carlsbad’s unique weather—we painted through 40 mph winds and sandstorms!
On top of that, we witnessed an earthquake and even a small snowstorm during our stay,” Lemieux added.
“The City of Carlsbad’s Beautification Department recruited Annora for this project to spruce up a retaining wall on San Jose Blvd. that belongs to the city. One of the city’s irrigation department employees, Robbie Morton, suggested last year that it would be a prime location to add some colorful art on the south side of town. Keep Carlsbad Beautiful is most often associated with litter pickups and waste disposal efforts, but it’s actually so much more than that. This year, we are embracing other elements of ‘beautification’ by conducting mural projects and assisting with planting trees around the Pecos River areas,” shared Mary Garwood, Beautification Coordinator/
Keep Carlsbad Beautiful Director.
Working for approximately three days through dust storms and other natural phenomena, Garwood said Lemieux and her team were wonderful to work with. “Her passion and energy are contagious,” she said.
“What I enjoy most about painting murals is the opportunity to beautify communities while forming meaningful connections with the people who live there,” said Lemieux.” I really enjoy using spray paint because of how quickly it allows me to cover a surface. I particularly love using low-pressure spray paint, as its lower spray speed lets me create intricate detailed work,” she added.
Lemieux also paints with oils, and while it is more time-intensive, it is also equally rewarding. “My favorite feature about oils is how thick I can layer the paint on my canvas. The thick paint helps create depth in my work. In fact, while I was in New Mexico, I created a collection of oil paintings that featured some of New Mexico’s landscapes and National Parks, and I was very happy to leave the whole collection in New Mexico with the city of Carlsbad,” she said.
“I came across her on the Sarah Grace Boutique’s Facebook page when she was conducting a ‘live’ painting demonstration. Instantly, I felt she had talent that our whole community would appreciate and could benefit from, so I reached out. It’s almost like I could feel her positivity through the screen. Annora has a knack for capturing our southeast New Mexico landscapes in such a beautiful and graceful manner,” Garwood said.
Possible upcoming locations for Lemieux to do more mural work include the cities of Flagstaff, AZ, Jacksonville, FL, and Valdosta, GA. Lemieux said, “Create art that you’re passionate about and don’t be afraid to share it with the world. Even if you feel like your skills aren’t where you want them to be, stay dedicated, keep practicing, and continue refining your craft. Hard work and persistence always pay off!”
“Keep Carlsbad Beautiful and Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District are partnering together for a very special mural coming up soon that will certainly be hard to miss for anyone traveling through Carlsbad. A second one is also in the works, but we are in the very early planning phases, so stay tuned. I can promise Carlsbad won’t be disappointed,” said Garwood.
To see more of Lemieux’s work, check out her website at https://www.artbyannora.com/
