When you visit Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill, a few things stand out: the delicious food and beverages, the friendly atmosphere, and the colorful murals! Today, we’re sitting down with Autumn Wraight to talk about her iconic Texas wall art and how she was able to paint murals that perfectly capture Stumpy’s relaxed, welcoming vibe.
Meet Autumn Wraight, Stumpy’s mural artist
Autumn in front of her first mural, “The Jazz Band Kokopelli” in Mineral Wells, Texas
Autumn Wraight grew up in a very artistic family, and, even as a child, she was always extremely creative. She dove headfirst into art and taught herself most of the basics. While Autumn loves exploring every medium, from clay to stained glass, she kept coming back to painting. As a young adult, she studied art and photography at Midwestern State University, going on to earn an associate’s degree in art from Weatherford College.
In Autumn’s own words, “Creating works of art is fun because I get to take my thoughts and make them real. I have always had a big imagination and love a good challenge. Painting and creating other forms of art make me feel like I’m changing the world around me. I love seeing others enjoy what I have created!”
However, art isn’t Autumn’s only passion. She is committed to education, and she ultimately decided to pursue a composite science degree and teaching certification from Tarleton State University. Autumn taught chemistry for a decade before transitioning to the art classroom – combining both of her passions.
“As a teacher,” Autumn says, “I want my students to see me practice what I am teaching. They need to know I can do what I am asking them to do. I keep them updated on some of my projects, including murals, so they know I experience the same challenges they do in the classroom. Students in my class are expected to plan, design, troubleshoot, revise, and reflect with each art project. I give them guidelines to work with, but I don’t tell them what their final piece has to look like. We also use and experiment with different art media; one of my favorite things as an art teacher is having a student get excited about and excel in an art medium they have never tried before.”
Even as she was pursuing her teaching career, Autumn’s creative side didn’t go away. She started hosting painting parties on the side, and eventually, this small business turned into the opportunity to create some one-of-a-kind Texas wall art.
Autumn first got involved with mural painting through the Murals at 76067 project in Mineral Wells, Texas. The initiative aimed to cover the downtown area with colorful art depicting the town’s unique history and culture. Autumn was initially asked just to offer her opinion, but her ideas for transforming the old First State Bank parking lot were so strong that she was invited to contribute as an artist.
“The Jazz Band Kokopelli” was Autumn’s first-ever mural, and it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Mineral Wells. The Kokopelli musicians embody the artistic revitalization of Mineral Wells’s downtown, and the slogan “Water is Life; Music is Soul” connects the modern art with the town’s historic mineral waters.
A closer look at “The Jazz Band Kokopelli”
Autumn’s first mural was such a success that it led to other painting projects across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. You can see examples of her work on her Facebook page or Instagram (@paintmecrazymw), including the logo for the Well of Life Church and the children’s section of the Boyce Ditto Public Library – not to mention murals for restaurants like Boondock’s Bar & Grill, 2 Old Crows Cajun, and, of course, Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill!
The story of Stumpy’s murals
So how did Autumn come to paint Stumpy’s iconic murals? Stumpy’s Managing Owner Felicia saw Autumn’s work at Boondock’s Bar & Grill at Possum Kingdom Lake, and she knew that Autumn’s colorful, high-energy style would be perfect for Stumpy’s.
Autumn fondly remembers her first Stumpy’s experience, “After meeting with Felicia to discuss the murals, I invited my niece to lunch, and we probably sat lakeside for about an hour enjoying our food and the wildlife!”
Inspired by that meeting, Autumn took a site-specific approach to Stumpy’s murals. She collaborated closely with Stumpy’s to understand what gives the restaurant both its literal and metaphorical flavor: fresh ingredients, local traditions, and a strong commitment to family and community. It was Autumn’s first time painting food, but she rose to the challenge!
Over time, Autumn has only come to love Stumpy’s more and more: “I have been inviting people to lunch there every chance I get while working on the murals, and I plan on Stumpy’s being a favorite of mine for a long time! It’s definitely a place for everyone. I’m proud that I get to contribute to Stumpy’s story.”
Next time you’re at Stumpy’s, keep an eye out for Autumn’s favorite details: the catfish on the food wall, the swimmer above the bar entrance, and one of her go-to orders, the mouthwatering burger!
“I love seeing my ideas come together to create such a fun addition to Stumpy’s already relaxed vibe,” Autumn says.
See Autumn’s artwork at Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill
Autumn’s murals are a testament to the fun, family-friendly atmosphere at Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill. When reflecting on her creations, Autumn said, “Most of my personal artwork is done to preserve memories, brighten up my space, and give back to family and friends.” That philosophy really comes through at Stumpy’s.
Whether you are enjoying a tasty meal, browsing through our shop, Stumpy’s Closet, or relaxing by the lake, Stumpy’s is committed to serving both our local community and the tourists who stop by for the weekend. We are honored to be part of so many people’s Lake Granbury memories.
And Autumn isn’t done yet! She is starting one more mural for Stumpy’s soon, so be sure to come on down, grab her favorite menu items (like the shrimp tacos), and watch the art in the making!
Any questions? Contact Stumpy’s today. Our staff is always happy to help!