Jacob Duncan, a 41-year-old artist and Missouri native, has spent the past decade making the small town of Excelsior Springs more vibrant through his work as a muralist and musician. Despite the vivid nature of his career, Duncan himself is a relatively quiet and unassuming person. He often talks about trying to meet people on a “human-level,” leading with a kind heart in spite of his shyness.

Despite his jovial demeanor, Duncan struggles with money and mental health issues. An inconsistent income through the pursuit of an artistic career makes it difficult to make ends meet financially. This stress, coupled with a history of undiagnosed mental health issues, leads him to self-medicate with alcohol and marijuana. But his artistic efforts are a comfort to him as he continues to create, regardless of his day-to-day struggles.