A new spray-painted mural by nationally known Dallas artist Jerod DTOX Davies now brightens the east wall of the upcoming Beef-A-Roo fast food restaurant on West Jackson Street in Macomb.
Davies, recognized for his bold graffiti style and vibrant colors, combined the Beef-A-Roo mascot with iconic Macomb symbols. The mural features Western Illinois University’s Sherman Hall, the Lizzie Magie statue, a National Guard soldier, the Macombopoly game board, the annual Balloon Rally, violets the Illinois state flower and butterflies inspired by the Macomb Beautiful Mural.
“I wanted to capture the spirit of Macomb and its community through these symbols,” Davies said. “Bringing together the local history with the Beef-A-Roo character felt like the perfect way to celebrate this new spot.”
Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Davies is a self-taught artist now based in Dallas. He grew up in a creative family: both parents were artists and furniture makers; his grandfather was a master sign painter and calligrapher; and his uncle was a cartoonist for the Detroit newspaper.
“That creative environment shaped everything,” Davies said. “I was always drawn to hand-painted signs and murals — things my grandpa and others around town were doing.”
His entry into mural painting came naturally. “One day I asked an automotive shop if they wanted a mural on their wall. They said yes, and we traded bodywork for the painting,” he recalled. “That first mural was actually a trade to get my car fixed after a drunk driver hit it.”
Davies’ mural career took off from there. Recently, while painting a mural for a bagel shop in Dallas, TX, a Beef-A-Roo executive spotted his work. “They said their regular artist was retiring and asked if I could do murals for their new stores,” Davies said.
For each Beef-A-Roo location, Davies researches the town’s history and culture to create designs that resonate locally. For Macomb, he incorporated the National Guard presence, state flowers, and local butterflies, inspired by the city’s existing murals.
“The hot air balloons were a late addition,” Davies said. “The designs are from actual balloons that flew over Macomb during the annual Balloon Rally event.”
Each mural also features the Beef-A-Roo mascot holding a sandwich representing the region’s favorite menu item. In Macomb, it’s a roast beef sandwich dripping with cheese, while the Carrollton, TX, mural shows a jalapeño bacon cheeseburger.
Davies painted the Macomb mural in just over four days, working long shifts despite challenges like bee stings and spider bites from nearby bushes.
“It took approximately 60 hours over 4 ½ days,” he said. “I landed late Monday, sketched it by 3 a.m., then worked 14- to 16-hour days after that.”
He used about 30 cans of spray paint from the 100plus he ordered, donating the leftovers to local art programs through his Lyft driver, Janine.
Davies has completed more than 200 murals coast to coast, including projects for Jean Paul Gaultier, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Dallas Mavericks. His work also appears in New York’s National Black Theatre and even the Marvel TV show *Cage*.
He’s expanding internationally with upcoming projects in Puerto Rico and Mexico and he also runs a clothing company called Artwork for Humans, which upcycles thrift-store clothes into wearable art.
“I’m excited about the murals and my clothing line,” Davies said. “You can follow my art adventures on Instagram at @DTOXART.”
The Beef-A-Roo mural adds a fresh burst of color and local pride to Macomb’s growing public art scene, reflecting both the city’s heritage and Davies’ dynamic vision.
