After teaching a portrait demo to ULM art students, Adam Davenport gave an artist talk about specific pieces he has created throughout his career, followed by a closing reception in the Bry Gallery on Oct. 22.

He discussed techniques and methods he used to paint murals, as well as showing the progress photos of several art pieces he has done through the years.

Davenport is a fine artist living in Texas who focuses on realism in oil painting, portraits, murals and bronze sculpture.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting from the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2000.

As a resident of Louisiana, Hurricane Katrina became a focus of importance for him. Most of his early works depict the human condition in disastrous landscapes and portraits.

In 1998, he painted the official portrait of Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice. To this day, the artwork hangs in the state capital of Jackson. The piece established his reputation as a portrait painter and launched his lastingcareer.

“If I don’t get the face right, I’ll just scrap it and start over,” he said.

In 2011, Sol’s Pipe and Steel commissioned Davenport to sculpt a life-size bronze statue of Sol Rosenberg to commemorate his life and achievements. Today, this statue is displayed in the lobby at Sol’s Pipe and Steel in Monroe, Louisiana.

In 2016, Davenport sculpted Bill Pickett, a historic Black cowboy, for his hometown of Taylor, Texas. Recently, he completed a bronze statue of Mallards for the new Taylor High School football Stadium.

His art has been acquired by several private museum collections throughout the South.

Known for his versatility in realism and portraiture, he stands out from other artists by capturing the mystery and peculiar qualities that lie in ordinary people and places.

To view Davenport’s artwork, visit his website, Davenport Studios.