More Than Just Paint on Canvas - the Art of Travis Parks

Driving around the city, and out through the back streets of Cedar Key, you may have noticed a number of beautiful paintings gracing the walls of homes and businesses. They are the creations of a talented young artist named Travis Parks.

A self-taught painter, Travis has an eye for fine detail and an affinity for capturing the raw beauty of nature. His creations are alive with color, drawing the viewer into their depths. Everywhere you look there is another little vignette, each of them subtlety linking together to complete the larger image.

Recently Travis finished an intricate mural at the home of Sally and John Findlay on Jernigan Avenue. The painting, which winds it's way up a staircase, is alive with the plants and creatures that inhabit our island. The way in which Travis incorporated light, shadow and texture, has given the mural an almost three dimensional feel. The work is stunning, intricate, and breathtakingly beautiful. (Photos of the murals pictured here were taken by J. Hoy)

Travis says he likes knowing that his work is brightening up people's personal space. Each work is one-of-a-kind, incorporating the ideas of those commissioning the work with Travis' own unique style.

Travis also paints canvases that are just as richly detailed as his murals. He likes the freedom that being an artist allows. He said he can travel anywhere taking his skills with him, and earn a living. He dreams of painting a mural in every State, and already has completed paintings in Michigan, Oregon and Florida.

If you would like to see more of Travis' murals drive by, or stop in at, The Beachfront Motel on 1st Street (the murals are all around the grounds and in each of the rooms), the Third Grade Class room at Cedar Key School, on the door of a home on Rye Key Road, and at the Sawgrass Gallery on Dock Street. He has also helped work on murals at the Cedar Key Market and the FarAway Inn.

Interested in commissioning a mural of your own? – contact Travis via Email at: roygbiv@att.net