Amy Ballard paints the utility box at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street on July 16 in Columbus. Ballard describes her style of painting as serious and realistic. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Amy Ballard dips her brush in a can of paint while painting the utility box at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street on July 16 in Columbus. Painting the utility boxes downtown is part of a main street beautification project. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Various shades of blue paint mix together while Amy Ballard paints a utility box at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street on July 16 in Columbus. Ballard completed the project in four afternoons, facing slight delays because of storms. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Amy Ballard adds clouds to her painting on the utility box at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street on July 16 in Columbus. “We all need to be more united,” Ballard said of what inspired her design. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Amy Ballard adds clouds to the sky in her painting on the utility box at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street on July 16 in Columbus. Ballard said she’s been getting a lot of good feedback on the project via Facebook. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff

Amy Ballard paints the utility box at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street on July 16 in Columbus. Ballard painted the utility box in front of the post office and city hall, so she knew she wanted to make it something patriotic. Photo by: Claire Hassler/Dispatch Staff