Local Mural Artist
A full-size bronze of the father of bulldogging, Bill Pickett, stands tall and proud on the corner of north Main and Second streets in downtown Taylor, Texas. Locals and tourists who visit the McCrory Timmerman Building love to stare at the beauty of the statue and enjoy taking pictures.
Adam Davenport, the sculptor, is grateful to be a part of this historical project. It took him almost a year to complete the most famous work of his career. From drawing trains on paper at age 3 to creating iconic designs in public places, Davenport has come a long way!
“Every piece of work has its own story, and the joy it brings to the people that commission those works of art are achievements in their own right. I get great satisfaction from knowing that people find joy in them for generations to come,” says the artist, who has been a portrait painter, muralist, and sculptor all his life.
The 40-foot-tall mural of Fred Kerley on a water tank on Main Street in Taylor is his own favorite art. Kerley, one of the fastest sprinters of all time, came home to Taylor to inaugurate the mural. Davenport, a Taylor resident, has created statues and murals in many locations nationwide.
“Art is a passion that is part of my everyday life,” he said. “Art communicates over any language or cultural barrier.”
Growing up, Davenport was surrounded by art and art lovers. His mom is an artist, and his grandmom was as well. So art became the only career choice for him. He started painting for a living in high school.
“When I start a piece, there comes a moment where I get up every day and love the challenge that is unique to each one. The ability to learn more, and refine and build on the various techniques that allow for more creativity.”
“Creativity is one’s unique ability to take an idea and turn it into a medium of expression. It is the release of an idea into the world,” he said.
When asked if artists are lonely people, Davenport said most artists, including himself, are very social. “I definitely enjoy my alone time, and it is important to have that occasionally,” said Davenport, who earned a BFA in Painting from the University of Louisiana. “Being social is important to making connections and getting your name out for people to know who you are and what you do.”
He also shared the myths many people believe to be true about art experts. “Many people think we are crafty dreamers that never bothered doing anything with our lives, or we just don’t want to work for a living, or that art should be just a side gig or hobby — which is hilarious.” He smiled.
Davenport paints murals on commission, and he has observed significant demand for murals over the last several years. He’s also a portrait painter.
For an artist, each piece they bring to life is close to their hearts. They put their 100% into every project that comes their way. However, there are times when the hard work does not come to fruition. Davenport also talked about other challenges that artists have to face.
“When times are hard financially for people, it can impact artists directly. Art is the pinnacle of a society that is flourishing with the basic needs being met, and it is usually the first thing to disappear when times are hard,” he said. “Public art commissions can slow down during times like that, and it is important to have diverse skills to be able to continue producing art for individuals, such as portraits and paintings.”
Davenport is grateful for the community support and looks forward to continuing his work and spreading goodness through his creativity. He says he enjoys living in Taylor, as the town has a lot of respect for art and artists. He encourages people to follow their own paths, even if it is difficult and there are barriers to overcome to keep working toward those goals.
“A little bit of hustle can go a long way and have an important impact on others,” is his message for our readers.
When he’s not painting or sculpting, Davenport enjoys playing guitar and trumpet.
