Tray Mead of Arizona was just crowned USA’s newest King, however, we are getting ahead of our story. Years ago when interviewed Mead, then a museum director of famed Southwest Museum, was asked, “What do you want to do when you retire?” He off-handedly said, “I would like to be King of a small country.” Mead is now “sort of” living that dream. Now retired five years he has been pursuing his passion of producing fantasy art. When asked what he does he often says, “I paint dirty pictures.” Nothing could be further from the truth. His paintings are beautiful and daring. Yet, be warned the fairies and mermaids are scantily clad. They are often set in far away galaxies, frolicking and/or battling dragons and trolls.
Mead has become so well known and his fantasy art so well respected that he has recently been invited to show his work at the prestigious “Ancient Palaces” Art Show in Italy. This is a world-wide, “Invitation Only” show. Only 15 artists from the entire world were asked to participate. So Mead gets part of his dream, “showing his art in a Royal Palace in a small country.” And this is one of many international shows he is preparing for.
This last Sunday Tray Mead was crowned as a King for a year. He won Flancer’s Restaurant’s Seventh Southwest Regional, Annual Pizza Eating Contest. He was crowned King by no less than royalty Hillary Griffith, Miss Arizona. She placed the King’s crown on his head. Owners Jeff and Tuni Flancer presented Mead with the royal prize a check for $500--truly a king’s ransom for a pizza contest. This contest benefits charities.
Mead now figures he is 75% towards his “Kingly Goals.” He is now a crowned King. He is staying in the Royal Cesi Palace. And royalty, dignitaries and celebrities from around the world will be able to enjoy the majesty of his art during the summer run of this show. Readers can view “King” Tray Mead’s art at traymead.com.
Mead also does commissioned art for Lords and Ladies who would like to present a special daring painting to their spouses or lovers or both. He adds fairy wings, mermaid tails and can magically take ten years off your age in his paintings. If interested, he can be contacted through his web site. Visitors are again warned the faeries and mermaids at traymead.com are a little--naughty--
Mead stated, “In retirement, I’m living a ‘story book’ life” photographing beautiful women and painting them into fairy goddesses concludes with a Mel Brooks’ quote, “It’s Good to be the King.”
