T-rav the transformer

T-rav The Transformer is a visual artist, designer, multi-instrumentalist and music producer born in Vancouver and now based on Vancouver Island, Canada. As the son of an ex-pro athlete and a teacher of design and colour, T-rav learned a life of un-conventionality. As a teenager he began to play guitar and paint, absorbing bright and flowing influences from the coastal environment and musical tastes of soul, rock n’ roll, and country from his parents.

Years of exposure to psychedelia and his mother’s use of vibrant colours has shaped the way he uses and manipulates the entire colour spectrum. T-rav combines orange and yellow fluorescents, flowing shapes, electric space and glowing hues to celebrate the inner radiance of his portrait subjects and community.

T-rav has developed his unique radiating fluorescent style over the past 10 years as an artistic painter. He has painted over 100 commissioned portraits, several album covers, and has transformed hundreds of blank square feet into realms of acrylic multi-colour. From canvas to clocks to guitars and beyond, T-rav can funkify anything with his knack for radiating and engaging psychedelic creativity.

Recently, T-rav discovered that he is a natural art instructor. He channels the role of Bob Ross, leading large social groups of novice artists on journeys of art discovery at local bars and restaurants. Having studied at both art and music schools, T-rav is an artist in constant transformation. He balances his creative energies between painting, musical performance, and music production; as well as the teaching of all three.

In the professional music realm, T-rav has played guitar and bass ranging in styles from funk-rock to folk and hip-hop both as a principal member and session player since 2007. T-rav’s main band, The Party on High Street, has self-released 8 studio albums and has toured the Western Canada summer festival circuit extensively, often head-lining as a favoured late-night party funk band.

As a musician, audio engineer, and producer, he has recorded and produced many independent artists, offering his ear to the styles of folk, rock, country and hip-hop. His most notable memory as a session musician is recording lead guitar at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London U.K..  Music tours and productions have taken T-rav to many places around the world, including Australia, Egypt, Mexico, Europe and the United states.

 Throughout the years, T-rav has valued any opportunity to help his community with their artistic endeavours. From teaching guitar to kids and adults, to instructing large groups of first time painters, T-rav feels everyone should have a creative outlet to express themselves. Most notably would be the 5 summers of facilitating the ‘School of Rock’ which taught high-school students how to jam and make music together (just like the movie!).

Currently, T-rav plays bass guitar with songwriters Kurt Loewen, and Sarah Osborne. In the studio, he continues to record independent musicians and is an active hip-hop instrumental producer and studio manager in Victoria, B.C..

 With a full plate of art and music production, T-rav still finds time to relax by cruising on his skateboard, exploring nature with friends, and growing plants. Everyday is a new adventure for T-rav. Whether it be in the visual or auditory realms, you can count on finding him in his studios, transforming artistic visions and ideas into realities.