Immersive Murals Decorating the Texas Roadhouse born From the Brush of Asheville Artist
Those with a taste for the Texan lifestyle, or simply fans of the Texas Roadhouse food chain, may be familiar with the unique, locally-inspired murals that adorn the walls of the hundreds of restaurant locations worldwide. But few are aware that the creative mind behind over a thousand of these vibrant pieces of art is none other than Western North Carolina’s own artist and UNC Asheville graduate – David Soileau.
From Science to Art – David Soileau’s Journey
Born in Lexington, KY, Soileau moved to Henderson County, North Carolina when he was just six years old. His father, a physicist, played a considerable role in the young artist’s initial affinity for the sciences. However, Soileau’s passion for imagery and art prevailed. After his family moved to North Carolina, the budding artist chose to study for a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting from UNC Asheville.
Following his graduation, Soileau returned to his birthplace of Lexington. It was in his downtown studio there that he encountered the artist who would introduce him to the Texas Roadhouse project – a contract that would eventually see him create more than a thousand murals for the now globally present steakhouse chain.
The Art of the Texas Roadhouse Murals
There are hundreds of Texas Roadhouse outlets, scattered across 49 states and 10 countries. Each restaurant houses four or more original murals, making it an undoubtedly demanding task for a single artist. Soileau, who moved back to Asheville approximately seven years ago, continues to work on roughly 40 to 50 panels annually, all of varying significant sizes.
Often, Soileau does not travel to research each location personally. Instead, the company provides a basic list of elements or scenes that represent the respective communities. The artist then creatively fleshes out these sketches into the lively murals that make Texas Roadhouse interiors stand out. The Asheville restaurant, for instance, sports two of Soileau’s pieces – one featuring the bears at Chimney Rock and the other of the UNC Asheville cheerleaders.
Embracing Unchained Creativity
Apart from his work with the Texas Roadhouse, Soileau’s portfolio showcases a diversity of styles and themes. He dedicates a significant deal of his time towards personal projects, commissions, and large-scale projects.
Soileau has a particular knack for creating striking pet portraits, as well as crafting unusual and highly symbolic arrangements. His work also graces the Hendersonville Police Department, in the form of a mural memorializing a fallen officer.
When discussing his future plans, Soileau expresses a desire to give more focus to personal projects. However, he also affirms his continuing commitment to the Texas Roadhouse project, “I’d like to be able to give some focus to more personal stuff,” says Soileau, “but I’ll work with Roadhouse as long as I can.”
