The Tri-State region has long been home to mural art on the floodwalls of its river towns -
covering large expanses of gray concrete with colorful depictions of the region’s history and 
famous sons and daughters.
But murals aren’t just for floodwalls anymore.
Starting about five years ago, murals started to become a form of marketing. Bright, bold outdoor paintings are popping up on the sides of old buildings, inside and outside many businesses –anywhere a large blank wall can become a canvas.
Street art is no longer considered graffiti or vandalism but is now recognized as a source of civic pride in cities across our region and the country. The art gets people to stop looking down at their phones and look up – perhaps even take a selfie of themselves in front of the mural with that same phone they were just so intently focused on.
While Elias Reynolds’ name might not be well known (yet) in our region, his larger-than-life 
mural art is a part of many communities in northeastern Kentucky and southern Ohio.
“I have a deep admiration for Elias Reynolds’ work because his murals seamlessly blend vibrant colors and intricate details, creating a visual storytelling experience that not only captivates the viewer but also serves as a beautiful homage to the rich cultural tapestry of Ashland, Kentucky,” said Courtney Hensley, assistant director of Visit Ashland KY. 
In addition to Ashland, Reynolds’ murals are in Russell, Flatwoods, Grayson, Ironton, Kenova, 
Greenup, and Lucasville. His art can also be found in Indianapolis and Cincinnati – and all the way out in Los Angeles where he created a large painting of Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury for the “Bohemian Rhapsody” actor.
“It’s been a long journey. Art has always been a part of my life, but until recently, it was always 
something I did part-time,” said the 34-year-old.
In addition to mural art, Reynolds also offers “live paintings” at weddings and corporate events, which allows those who attend to watch the process and enjoy the final product. He recently did one of these at a game release party (Project Kyzen) in Indianapolis. At the end of the night, Reynolds’ chalk neon glow-in-the-dark mural was washed off the wall. “For me, that wasn’t a big deal. It’s all part of the process; everything lives and dies. Painting is my escape and my way to express myself. At live events, I enjoy the experience and connecting with the people who are there.”
The Richmond, Kentucky, native and his brothers were raised by an artistic mother who 
introduced them to painting at a young age. At Eastern Kentucky University, Reynolds earned a bachelor’s degree in studio painting. But loving art, studying it, and being good at it, do not necessarily equate to making a living as an artist. Reynolds worked a variety of other jobs over the years, including landscaping, book printing and graphic design – always making and selling paintings as often as he could.

"About three years ago, I got to the point where I was making more money with my art than with my full-time job. That’s when I made the decision to paint full-time. And I’ve been doing mostly murals since,” Reynolds said.
His very first murals are in Richmond on the outside of several local businesses, including the former Family Dog bar – a beloved EKU student hangout. He returned to his hometown earlier this year to create a mural on the side of an historic building being converted into a restaurant that will employ people struggling with substance abuse – a unique “soulful” enterprise called EnRich. The mural painting was tied to “A Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes” community run/walk. 
At the end of the event, participants put the final touches on Reynolds’ mural by adding their paint-dipped shoe prints to it.
Reynolds said he really enjoys mural projects like that one when the community gets involved to create a beautiful addition to their city. He also did a mural in Murray, Kentucky, called “Feels Like Home,” in which residents filled in the outline that Reynolds created.
Every mural project has its challenges, Reynolds said. “I do the best I can to prepare with the client. They send me a picture of the wall and I will do a mockup for them to approve,” he explained. “But once I get there, things can change. Maybe it’s the weather. Maybe the colors don’t look right in the light. Maybe there’s a light pole or a power line in the way.”The painting process itself involves a base coat on the brick or masonry surface, followed by spray paint, which sticks well to the base coat, and lastly, a topcoat for protection from UV rays and the outdoor elements. Most murals done this way will hit ten years before there’s any fading or cracking, Reynolds said.
Reynolds met his wife, Bri, in Lexington, and they were married in 2016. They settled in the 
Ashland area (Bri is from Russell) where they now raise their three daughters. Bri owns a 
business selling crystals and rocks and is an advocate for local artists – including, of course, her husband, for whom she handles the business side of his art. Reynolds affectionately calls her his muse.
It wasn’t long until Reynolds’ art started popping up around the area. His murals are often a part of a community’s revitalization efforts and depict various buildings and landmarks that have had a local impact, such as the one the City of Russell commissioned in 2021.
His latest mural, in Ashland, is in Art Alley on the building that houses Broadway Books. It 
commemorates the city’s inaugural film festival – the Cosmic Holler Film Fest – that was held in 
October at the Paramount Arts Center. Brandy Clark, director of Visit Ashland KY and owner of the building, commissioned the mural herself.
“We hear nothing but amazing comments about his (Reynolds’) murals,” said Hensley, the
tourism office’s assistant director. “People are very excited about the new one and it was a big 
hit with festival attendees.”

You can check out Elias Reynolds’ work at www.eliasreynoldsart.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.