Travis Mack
Why did you decide to pursue a career in the Visual Arts?
It was my grandmother that told everyone that I would be an artist. I would bug my mother for paper to draw Saturday cartoons and comics were my early influences, in school I would doodle on the desks, in books, on school walls, on my homework, wherever I could leave a mark I drew on it.
When did you make that important decision?
After seeing the 80’s movie Beat Street I even delved into graffiti so I thought, I found a can of red spray paint and sprayed the side of my parent’s house ouch!! I continued to hone my skills learning from various teachers and books along with hours of practice. It was not until I sold my first portrait at the age of 13 that I said whoa! I just made $100 bucks to do this?! Okay let’s get better.
Whenever I could take an art class in High School or Community College I took it I didn’t care about my major as long as I could draw and paint. College was a breeze for me, I did not need a degree to solidify that I could draw and paint however it felt great to be the first in my family to graduate from college while refining my skills. I graduated with the Best in Show Portfolio Award, illustrated two children’s books and was blessed to have a painting in the 50th Illustration Annual in Communication Arts magazine, a few commissioned paintings and some graphics work.
I show in various art venues in Atlanta, GA and also Europe in such cities Barcelona, and Paris. As an artist I am not content with past achievements I want more. I pursue more. Though I am humble I am hungry, art is my passion I love to have the ability to visualize in my head and create. I am still the same artist that will draw on paper at work, on desks, in books, on napkins on whatever that will allow me to leave my mark.