After two decades of dedicated service to the Pahrump community, State Farm Insurance agent Brian Strain is celebrating his 20th year in the valley. To mark the occasion, Strain has commissioned a colorful mural on the exterior of his office building at 50 S. Highway 160.
The artwork depicts Strain’s prized possession: a 1970 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport SS. The muscle car, a symbol of his personal passions, is proudly displayed for all to see.
Strain explained that he typically repaints the building’s exterior every five to six years to refresh the look. However, he decided to take a new approach with this project. He hired local artist Orlando Lara for the task. The project, completed in about five days, has already garnered positive attention from the community.
“Everybody thinks it looks beautiful…muscle cars which is a big thing here in Pahrump,” Strain said. “I fell in love with the old classic muscle cars from the 60s and 70s, because they just don’t make them like that anymore these days.”
Strain notes that he did not need permission to proceed saying, “I own the property so I didn’t have to check with anybody.” He also commented on how Lara helped bring the Welcome to Pahrump concept to life, using a scissor lift to easily reach all areas of the mural.
A 1970 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport, with its powerful V-8 engine, is a quintessential muscle car. Strain’s personalized license plate that reads “Mid Life” is a testament to his passion for classic cars.
A profile of artist Orlando Lara will appear in an upcoming issue of the Pahrump Valley Times.
