Born and raised in the historic fishing community of Grand Bank, Newfoundland, Travis Parsons has his hometown to thank for the majority of his artistic inspiration.
His childhood was spent exploring the rocky cliffs above the North Atlantic, shopping in old merchant stores near the waterfront, and hearing the stories of the struggles and perseverance of the people that celebrated, and cursed on, the sea around them.
Coming of age during a period when the community was in the midst of a downtown re-development project, Travis developed an even deeper love for the heritage of his hometown. The vibrant colours, rough textures, and the many stories revolving around these spaces, can be seen today as the backbone of expression in much of Travis’ work. Photographs that highlight the beauty of Newfoundland, while also often having a sense of melancholy to them. A balance of beauty and strength, with a sense of loss and hardship. Many of Travis' landscape photographs feel like love letters to a place that has become a part of his DNA.
Travis has been travelling all over the island of Newfoundland making artwork for more than 15 years. His work has been published in many places, most notably in Popular Photography Magazine and at the Ontario Science Centre. In 2013 Travis won the provincial ‘Mentor of the Year’ award from Youth Ventures for his work in mentoring young photographers, and in 2014 he was named ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the Burin Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.