Monday, April 30, 2012

Everett Mayo


Boxer Turned Folk Artist


A former heavyweight boxer known as The Tornado, Everett Mayo was born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1959.  As a boxer, he was based in Richmond.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tilton Washington, live in Elberon.  Mayo began boxing in the army and continued boxing in a professional capacity after leaving the military.  His boxing career was cut short by a construction accident that left him legally blind in one eye.  After retiring from boxing, Mayo returned to his love of art and started producing folk art using pieces of driftwood found on riverbanks. Looking for shapes in the wood, Mayo paints birds, fish, and other animals as well as human figures.  Basically, he uses the wood as it is found rather than carving it.  His pieces range from small figures to a six-foot tall giraffe and a seven-foot long shark.




The first showing of his work was in 1993; he has since exhibited in several museums.  He participated in the Virginia Art Residency program and also provided art workshops for children in Central and Western Virginia as well as St. Helena, South Carolina.  Mayo also appeared on Gullah Gullah Island, a Nickelodeon program, with a segment highlighting his art and creativity.   He now makes his home in Galveston, Texas with his wife Sarah.



Everett Mayo Assists Children at Driftwood Workshop




Examples of Everett Mayo's Folk Art











Sources


"Driftwood Sculptures by Everett Mayo."  Lordofthewood.com.  Everett Mayo, n.d.  Web.  <http://www.lordofthewood.com/>.

Mayo, Everett.  Brochure.  Undated.

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6 comments:

  1. Lord of the WoodOctober 1, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    Thank you for researching my work, however this website is no longer valid. My new website is currently under construction and will be up and running within a week or so. Please do visit it to see more of my exciting work with driftwood. The address will be: thelordofthewood.com I will keep you posted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 18, 2021 at 9:46 PM

      Mr Mayo Thank you for being great influence you came to my school when I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade I believe and you signed a piece of Paper ...You Will make it Big ... that I still have up on my wall that is still motivating me today

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    2. UnknownApril 15, 2022 at 8:17 PM

      Hi there. I know I'm late responding, but somehow, I'm just seeing this. I'm so happy you still have whatever I signed and that it still inspires you. I can be reached at emayo659@gmail.com and would love to hear more. Take care, Everett aka lord of the wood.

      Delete
  2. Host, Bob WhiteOctober 2, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    Thank you, Mr. Mayo, for your comment and heads up about your new website. Please keep us posted. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

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  3. SvenNovember 19, 2014 at 7:32 AM

    Hi Lord of the Wood...these pieces are great! I noticed you have an exhibition in Richmond later this week...assume you will be there. Would love to talk with you. Do you still live in Richmond? I am a recent retiree looking to develop my artsy side using wood in one way or another.
    My name is Sven, I will come by and talk with you sometime during your show if that's OK.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 7, 2018 at 6:02 AM

    Are you still making art? If so, when and where is your next exhibit?

    ReplyDelete

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