or Bruce Burkholder, much of the last two decades could be measured in brush strokes.

He began working on a large mural depicting the past, present and future of Hays in 1986 and hopes to have it completed by year's end.

The last 22 years have been a journey, personally and artistically, and Burkholder said many of his memories are caught up in what has been dubbed the "Hays masterpiece."

"I've had this strange time with it," he said. "My daughter was born through this process; my dad died. I have all these emotional roller coasters along with this history, going through it."

The oil painting is called "History Holds the Future," and was removed from Burkholder's 11th Street studio space for the first time to be displayed Friday at Bank of Hays, 1000 W. 27th.

The piece has attracted much attention, locally and nationally. Curious spectators from both coasts have dropped by Burkholder's studio to express their enthusiasm, and he's been in contact with another artist in France, he said.

With an eye for detail, he's been laboring on the tiniest elements that will bring 16 scenes -- past and present -- to life on the 4-by-8-foot linen.

"It has people, portraits. It has miniature still-life," Burkholder said. "It has all the elements of what's taking place.

"People can look at it several times. ... They always see something different."

It might sound tedious for some, but not to Burkholder, who said he learned patience from his grandmother.

"I just can't imagine it's been 22 years," he said. "Sometimes it seems like it's just been an evening."

The mural, which is so lifelike it has been mistaken for photographs -- depicts three of his friends gazing at an array of Hays images.

It takes the viewer on a 120-year journey, from the days of Fort Hays to the present efforts to revitalize the historic downtown district.

There is, for now, an unsolved mystery portrayed in the canvas. A woman near the painting's right edge hoists a blank crystal ball, meant to symbolize the city's future.

Burkholder says he's yet unsure what image he will give the future of Hays.

"I'm going to give a hint of something," he said with a smile, also noting he has considered leaving it blank, allowing the viewer to envision their own ideas.

"There's so many opportunities to put something in that crystal ball."

The project has been sold to a private collection, but the owners intend to share the piece with the public, he said.

One visitor from California suggested Burkholder compile a book about his journey through time, and that could be a future possibility, he said.

Such a project would give the reader a sense of the highs and lows the realist artist experienced, keeping the painting in his heart and mind until completion, he said.

"This painting has time-traveled me like no other work I have done to date," Burkholder said. "To me, this is what art is, and the painting has a life of its own. It will keep giving life back.

"All those brush strokes and hours, plus the years ... makes one learn that the past, present and the future is ours to have," he said. "The future has always been, it is just taking us time to catch up to it."

A native of Plainville, Burkholder said he's always known he was gifted in the arts. He took a painting class as a teenager and gradually taught himself to paint through the years.

"I'm kind of one of these God-fearing people. I feel like He gave me something to do in my life," Burkholder said. "I curse it and cuss it, and feel blessed with it at the same time."

And ultimately, another goal of his work is to make people aware of all the Hays area has to offer, he said.

"You have the arts, you have your sports, you have your college and everything else," Burkholder said. "It all integrates to bring the community and the people a connection of what we are here."