Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Davies.
Isaac, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started painting at a young age with my two older brothers Jerod and Joshua. My whole family is creative and they have inspired me throughout the years to become the artist I am today. I have focused on murals the past 15+ years and I love to create large format works of art as often as possible. This passion developed into various public art projects across America. Here at home in Dallas I have created many murals for the Deep Ellum neighborhood as well as Exposition Park. I have been commissioned by the City of Dallas as well as many other large companies’ corporations, all the way down to mom and pop stores and local businesses. I am mostly known for my depictions of realism, surrealism, and portraiture. I love collaborating with other artists and passing on the experience I have learned to the younger generation. I am involved in various non-profit and community outreach programs that focus on creativity and neighborhood revitalization. My personal art work is focused on the awareness of history and the preservation of indigenous cultures as well as eco sustainability and animal conservation.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have worked in almost every capacity an artist can imagine, whether building things in workshops, sculpting in 3D, set painting, graphic designing, installing exhibits, etc. I love learning different mediums and approaches to different projects. The struggles I’ve experienced in the art world have always been a learning experience in disguise. It took many years to master the spray paint can and develop the style I am known for. One challenge in particular was to defy the stigma of what graffiti artists contribute to the world of art and their role in how the city welcomes street art and murals into their public art projects. Luckily I have been able to exist in both worlds as a bridge between the artist and the cities I work with. The cultural communities I serve have also helped me develop a relationship with the general public that allows me to confidently propose new ideas and innovations for public art without fear of rejection. Building that rapport over the past 20 years has been a great challenge but ultimately a rewarding experience.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the IZK Art story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in making murals that capture a sense of realism or hyper realism. In many cases I use portraiture or the human figure to help tell a story. I also find great social impact in helping preserve indigenous cultures in my imagery. I include Native American figures and themes into a lot of my works as well as animals. I set myself apart from others by taking on subject matter that is historic and fusing it with modern styles. I stand out because I’m always willing to go 100% on a particular subject matter. Whether it’s a pop culture anime reference or a moment from sports, my range is wide when it comes to giving the viewer a familiar feeling that includes them in some way. I love nostalgia and history and I enjoy combining the old and the new.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Murals will definitely continue to be popularized and public art is becoming an integral part of many cities cultural landscape. There is already a shift here in Dallas to keep creating murals and preserving the old ones. So many new artists are starting to do murals and learning the trade. Cities are responding and starting to make public funds more easily accessible for these types of projects. As a veteran muralist it is inspiring to see the tide shifting in our favor.
Contact Info:
- Website: artizk.com
- Phone: 469-682-9167
- Email: izkdvz@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Parker Moore – Personal Photo
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