Brush hour: Mural artist known for downtown art paints her way through Washington County

Written by Jessi Bang
August 10, 2022

ST. GEORGE —From massive indoor murals to outdoor works of art, this St. George painter is known for her paintings, and there’s a good chance you’ve seen one.

Susan Grove stands in front of her downtown mural, St. George, Utah, August 4, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Susan Grove stands in front of her downtown mural, St. George, Utah, Aug. 4, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Susan Grove, known for her intricate murals, said she’s loved art for as long as she can remember. In the ’80s, her uncle had a mural done in his home, which inspired her to try painting full scenes of her own. That was 25 years ago – and she hasn’t slowed down since.

“If someone could do it, I could do it. So I just dived in,” Grove said, “like eating an elephant one bite at a time.” 

The first mural Grove completed was in a children’s bedroom inside her neighbor’s home. Afterward, she painted a scene in her own home and knew she wanted to keep the momentum going.

With her youngest child in kindergarten, she vowed that once he entered grade school, she would start painting more murals in her spare time. True to her own word, she began by taking photos of her completed work to local designers across the county, including Boulevard Home Furnishings.

“It was perfect timing because they were looking for someone to do murals for the Parade of Homes that year,” Grove said. “I clicked with the designer and ended up completing four murals for four different homes.”

Initially overwhelmed at the idea of completing murals on giant walls bigger than anything she had done previously, she said she’s thankful she did it. That opportunity officially kick-started her mural business and began to circulate her name throughout the community.

Susan Grove's mural inside the St. George Museum depicts a city next to the ocean, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Susan Grove, St. George News
Susan Grove’s mural inside the St. George Museum depicts a city next to the ocean, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Susan Grove, St. George News

As the business grew, Grove was commissioned to do a mural at the St. George Children’s Museum. She completed the first piece at its inception roughly eight years ago and since has been painting for the museum. Her murals can now be seen on each floor and in almost every room of the interactive children’s facility.

“I’ve loved working with the children’s museum all these years because they are always changing and growing while adding in creative, interactive things,” Grove said.

Grove’s murals can be seen at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, where she painted each of the dinosaurs along with the largest mural she’s done so far – a staggering 150 feet by 20 feet. Grove’s work can also be seen inside The Book Bungalow, along with Daylight Donuts and Santa Clara Elementary.

Susan Grove sits next to her mural at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Susan Grove, St. George News
Susan Grove sits next to her mural at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Susan Grove, St. George News

In 2020, the city of St. George commissioned Grove to create a large outdoor mural in the heart of downtown.

The Greater Zion mural, located in the alley behind Main Street, measures 55-by-20 feet and took her three months to complete. The mural features a general map of the St. George area with notable places highlighted and is a popular spot for both local and tourist photos.

If her work wasn’t unique enough in itself, Grove said most of her paintings contain personalized, hidden signatures, such as her and her husband’s initials carved into a painted tree inside the St. George Children’s Museum and the couple riding an ATV on the bottom right corner of the downtown outdoor mural. 

“My indoor murals are all done with house paint,” Grove said. “I save all my yogurt and cottage cheese containers and mix the colors myself with mismatched ‘oops’ paint from paint stores. It’s a great way to use excellent, high-quality paint without paying the high prices.”

Susan Grove's paints a mural inside the St. George Children's Museum, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Susan Grove, St. George News
Susan Grove’s paints a mural inside the St. George Children’s Museum, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Susan Grove, St. George News

Grove said in the future, she hopes to focus more on fine art portrait paintings of families and pets.

“Heights don’t bother me at all, but as I get older, I would just love to sit at home and paint what I love. People, landscapes. I want to be 80-plus and still painting,” Grove said.

The entire journey of her painting career has been a whirlwind, and Grove said she’s loved every second of it. She’s received great feedback from those she has worked with and has enjoyed doing the Parade of Homes every year. 

To see more of Grove’s work, follow SG murals on Facebook and Instagram. For inquiries on commissioned murals along with canvas portraits, text or call Grove at (435) 229-3710.

“I’m not sure if murals will ever go entirely out of style,” Grove said. “There seems to always be a place for it.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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