Eddie Leroy is like a modern-day Michelangelo. But while the 16^th century artist spent four years atop scaffolding painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Leroy is on his feet outdoors from sunup to sundown creating Dothan’s latest mural.

“The hardest part has been standing on my feet all day and dealing with the weather,” said the Eufaula artist. “Once I figured out how to deal with the cracks in the brick, there’s been nothing to it.”

Acclaimed for his wildlife art, Leroy is the perfect choice as the creator of the mural, which depicts land and aquatic animals indigenous to the Wiregrass region. The Wildlife Mural measures 10 feet by 260 feet and wraps around two walls of the Bob Woodall Air Care building on North Foster Street in downtown Dothan.

It’s no wonder Dothan has become known as the Mural City. With the completion of this project, there will be 23 murals on the walls of businesses across the city.

Artist Eddie Leroy works on a new portion of his mural in Dothan. (contributed)

APSO workers proudly display a mural in Dothan. (contributed)

APSO workers stand united in front of the Dothan Wildlife mural.

A few members of the Alabama Power Service Organization check out the Dothan Wildlife Mural, which the organization is supporting. (Contributed)

The wildlife project was the dream of the late Don Fabiani, one of the founders of Murals of the Wiregrass – the organization that oversees and maintains Dothan’s murals. Fabiani talked with Leroy about painting the mural several years ago but never saw the vision turn into reality.

Since the project began Nov. 17, 2015, only rain and cold weather have kept Leroy from his work. “When it gets below 50 degrees, I can’t paint because it gums up,” said Leroy, who is using acrylic paint made especially for outdoors.

Although Murals of the Wiregrass dictated the theme for the project, Leroy has put his own stamp on it.

“Originally the mural was supposed to have been set about 100 years ago, and it included a lot of different animals,” Leroy said. “But I didn’t like that many animals in it. The first thing I learned in art school was less is more.”

Eddie Leroy sketches a new section of his Dothan Wildlife Mural, set for completion this summer. (Katie Thomas)

Leroy said he chose to feature many of the animals that have made a comeback in Alabama after near extinction. The mural begins with land animals, such as turkeys, deer, rabbits, foxes and bobcats. It then flows smoothly into a section depicting alligators and other swampland creatures, with the final portion featuring fish that commonly make their homes in Alabama.

Leroy said before bringing the animals to life on the wall, he makes smaller drawings, which serve as a blueprint for his finished creation.

“I make all the animals big,” said Leroy, citing his 10-foot turkey as an example. “I did them big so when you come up the street, it’s bam! There it is. They are in your face when you’re driving by. You don’t have to squint to see them.”

A commercial artist for more than 30 years, Leroy’s love of hunting and fishing shines through in many of his pieces. His paintings have been selected to appear on three Alabama duck stamps, which are required when hunting waterfowl in the state. Leroy was commissioned to create artwork for President Jimmy Carter, country singer John Anderson, Jeff Foxworthy, Ted Turner’s Hope Plantation and Ray Scott, founder of B.A.S.S. Leroy’s work has been published on the cover of magazines including Buckmasters, Hunters World, Alabama Conservation and Southern Outdoors.

“Art is a God-given talent and I thank God for giving it to me,” he said. “I always like the beginning and end of the painting. The middle is just hard work.”

The Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO)-Southeast Division/Farley Chapter has adopted the Wildlife Mural and will contribute $6,000 – $2,000 annually for three years – to help cover the cost for maintenance and repairs. The donation will also help pay for brochures and other educational tools that will be used in support of the mural project.

“We chose to sponsor this mural because it’s a good fit for us. Farley Nuclear Plant is a wildlife refuge,” said Melanie Rogers, past president of the Southeast Division/Farley APSO Chapter. “To me, this is one of my favorite murals. It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

This turkey in Eddie Leroy’s Dothan Wildlife Mural is 10 feet tall. Leroy said he wants the animals in the mural to jump out at people when they first spot them. (Katie Thomas)

The Southeast Division/Farley Chapter is sponsoring the project as part of the Wiregrass Adopt-A-Mural Campaign. Through this effort, Murals of the Wiregrass is encouraging area businesses to adopt murals throughout the city to help preserve their beauty for future generations.

Murals of the Wiregrass was founded in 1992 to help revitalize the city, increase tourism and provide an educational tool for area students.

“It makes us feel excited that an organization like APSO is willing to support this mural,” said Precious Freeman, Murals of the Wiregrass program director. “Having APSO behind us and believing in us builds momentum and morale, and makes us want to keep going.”

“Our goal is not only to feature our wildlife in the Wiregrass but also to use the mural to educate our students about what’s in the woods. That’s why the mural is such a good conservation match for APSO,” said Payne Henderson, president of the Murals of the Wiregrass. “APSO’s support shows an interest in education and an interest in art, and signals a willingness to invest back into our community.”

Leroy said although this is his first mural, he hopes it won’t be his last one.

Leroy expects to complete the mural by early summer. “I’ve loved painting all the animals, and I’ve met a lot of nice people who have stopped by to talk to me while I paint,” he said.

Freeman is looking forward to unveiling the mural.

“This mural speaks to everyone,” she said. “Everyone loves animals. They make people happy.”