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Mural artist Matthew Abraham touches up a mural on the side of Wing Snob April 7. The wall on Gratiot points toward Interstate 94 and welcomes drivers to Roseville.
Photo by Nick Powers
ROSEVILLE — Drivers getting off the eastbound Interstate 94 exit at Gratiot Avenue in Roseville will be greeted by a new mural.
Dearborn-based traveling artist Matt Abraham, who did the painting on the side of the restaurant Wing Snob, has been doing murals for more than 20 years. He has been an artist for longer.
“I’ve been painting and drawing ever since I can remember,” he said. “My whole entire life.”
All told, the mural took about six days to complete. Abraham said he likes the challenge of large pieces.
“They don’t scare me; I get excited,” he said. “I love when people see the work. I love that thousands of people daily will see it.”
In the case of the Wing Snob mural, Abraham went off a design provided by the restaurant that the city had approved. Sometimes he’s able to provide more input into the design; it just depends on the job.
“My niche is I can create pretty much whatever you’re looking for,” Abraham said. “I’m not just stuck in one particular style. I have many different styles I can work with.”
The mural, which reads “The city of Roseville welcomes you. Est. 1958,” was approved at the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting March 19.
“We’re trying to draw interest and trying to put the city of Roseville out there and our business, which is Wing Snob,” Virginia Robinson, who represented Wing Snob at the meeting, said.
Roseville Mayor Robert Taylor commended the mural at the meeting.
“I like that,” Taylor said of what would be on the mural. “Has a nice ring to it.”
Abraham, a Wayne State graduate, does murals on the walls of restaurants, schools and children’s rooms. He has his own company, Matt Finish Inc. Murals, and keeps a busy schedule, often working on more than one mural at a time. Some examples of murals he has done for restaurants include Qazzaz Coffee in Allen Park, Mokaccino Cafe in Dearborn and Ricky’s Sub Shop in Dearborn.
There’s no shortage of creativity in Abraham’s household. His two daughters are both interested in art, with one attending College for Creative Studies in Detroit. His wife, May Mokdad, is an author who wrote the children’s book “Are You Okay?”
Abraham said the response to the mural has been positive so far.
“I’ve had nothing but the best comments from the community,” Abraham said.
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