A New York City refugee, Chip Travers landed in Tucson in 1976 and became an established Art Director. Serving both local and national clients, he designed and produced a myriad of advertising material in his studio. In 2010 he shifted gears from the marketing scene to becoming a successful illustrator and fine artist. Chip's unique style of color pencil and watercolor has earned him many local exhibits and shows in the Old Pueblo, from various Pima County Libraries, Reid Park, Tucson Airport, Tubac, Patagonia, Sonoita,Tombstone, and Tucson Rodeos including appearances at the Mountain Oyster Club. He is the founding member of the Leaping Lizard Gallery on Tanque Verde Road

 

Chip describes himself as a visual journalist portraying his experiences in Southern Arizona and his love of the natural environment, focusing on wildlife and the cultural history of the Sonoran desert, to include Native American, Mexican American, and Cowboy cultures. This is especially seen in his paintings of rodeo events, cowboys, indians, the old West, Mexican structures and Day of the Dead theme, as well as of the wildlife gracing our beautiful desert and mountain landscape. His creations started with black and white line drawing of objects as he had done in his reproduction work but then evolved into full color pieces of complete thoughts. His greatest enjoyment comes from being able to shift between a highly detailed full color piece to a humorous cartoon drawing in one of his sketchbooks. It is his attitude of fun and a willingness to experiment with his skill as a published cartoonist that ends up in creations reflecting the local market . His Bonz collection of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) subjects elicits a chuckle as does his work reflecting a combination of rodeo and wildlife, known as ZooDeo. Both of these fun collections can be seen as part of his extensive offering of greeting cards. Chip works in prisma colors, pastels, and acrylics for his complex pieces and uses his trusty "Sharpie" for black and white line work and black and white sketches. He likes to start with a clean slate and an open mind to accept his surroundings and create what is in his heart and soul. Be sure to see him at work any Tuesday when he works the Leaping Lizard Gallery and pick up one of his many masterpieces!