Artist Bio
Hailing from the heart of Cynthiana, Kentucky, Wylie Caudill emerges as a distinguished artist, rooted in the vibrant landscape of Lexington. Presently acclaimed as the official artist for the prestigious 150th Kentucky Derby, Wylie's artistic narrative is woven with a distinctive imprint—a signature style he affectionately terms as "organic repetition." This unique aesthetic resonates throughout his portfolio, breathing life into cerulean roses and gilded leaves alike.
His creative footprint stretches across Kentucky and the expanse of the United States, embellishing urban landscapes with murals that echo his artistic ethos. Collaborations with eminent brands such as MTV, Mountain Dew, and YouTube stand as testaments to Wylie's versatile talent and expansive reach.
The genesis of Wylie's artistic journey traces back to his formative years, a time when artistry coursed through his veins, igniting his imagination. Pokemon, trains, and dragons served as his muse, each stroke of his pencil a testament to his innate creativity. However, it was during his collegiate tenure that Wylie found his muse on the streets of his campus, wielding chalk as his medium and earning the moniker 'the chalk guy' among locals. This humble beginning heralded the inception of Wylie's ascent into the realm of mural artistry.
Today, Wylie's artistic evolution knows no bounds, transcending the confines of concrete walls to adorn canvases, bourbon bottles, apparel, and beyond. His journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to breathe life into his art.
Features Overview
Churchill Downs Inc. Fall 2023 Issue
Wylie Caudill's journey into the world of art is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance and the powerfully transformative influence of social media. Initially harnessing his budding creativity as a chalk artist on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Wylie's aim was to connect with people and establish a reputation for himself as he tried to find his place in this new phase of undergraduate life. Even with his vast imagination, he never envisioned this seemingly small and concentrated endeavor would ignite a deep love for large-scale artwork and pave the way for a successful career as a muralist.
Queer Kentucky ISSUE 06
Contrary to popular belief, The Kentucky Derby has always been queer. Big, boisterous hats and flashy fascinators paired with dresses in bright pastels, deep rosy reds and Kentucky blues fill Churchill Downs from the infield to Millionaires row. Let’s face it: it’s one big drag show.
For the Derby’s 150th anniversary, Churchill Downs and Woodford Reserve commissioned openly gay artist, Wylie Caudill, to bring his trademark rosette imagery for the latest design of the famous derby poster and bourbon bottle. Needless to say, we were absolutely gagged…
BloodHorse
Churchill Downs today released the 2024 "Official Art of the Kentucky Derby" by Kentucky artist, Wylie Caudill.
Originally from Cynthiana, Ky., Wylie Caudill is renowned for his exceptional talent in murals and large-scale art. Caudill got his start doing chalk art on the streets of his college campus. After falling in love with public art, Wylie expanded his street art to murals that can be seen across Kentucky, many of which include his signature roses.
Caudill's artwork for the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve highlights the 150th Kentucky Derby trophy at the forefront with the newly reimagined paddock as the background under the iconic Twin Spires. The piece features 150 red roses representing the Derby Winner's Circle surrounded by white, gold and cerulean roses to symbolize the colorful fans of the Derby from around the world.
SOPHISTICATED LIVING MAGAZINE
Artist and large scale muralist, Wylie Caudill’s first commission was memorable on many levels. Contracted in 2018 to paint a pair of vibrantly colored “galaxy” wings on a building in his hometown of Cynthiana, he had no idea what to charge. Wylie recounted that the client got quite the deal, as the $100 he billed wasn’t even enough to cover his paint costs. 4 Four years and 60 plus murals later, he can laugh at his rookie mistake.
Kentucky Educational Television
Cynthiana native Wylie Caudill has been making his mark around Kentucky with bright and colorful large-scale murals for years. Caudill began drawing murals with chalk while attending Eastern Kentucky University and soon after college, he started painting murals full time for local businesses. With a unique style, Caudill’s work has expanded throughout the state, but many of his pieces can be found on walls throughout the Fayette County area. Learn more about Caudill, his story, and his creative process as we catch up with him at some of his latest projects.
Smiley Pete Publishing
After less than three years as a full-time artist, this Kentucky muralist has already made a mark on Lexington
Lexington artist Wylie Caudill has one of the best studio spaces an artist could imagine: the great outdoors. Noted for a whimsical style characterized by lots of color and texture, the mural artist can often be found high on a lift working on a new “canvas” that can range from a 30-foot side of a building to a residential retaining wall. (He also does interior work for businesses and individuals.) At age 25, Caudill has been working as a full-time artist for fewer than three years but has already created his mark on Lexington, with murals adorning the walls of several high-profile local businesses, including Soundbar, the Distillery District’s Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream and the Kentucky for Kentucky warehouse/Kentucky Fun Mall on Loudon Avenue…
ABC 36 WTVQ
Lexington artist’s horse earns top bid at LexArts auction, raising $21,500
A Lexington artist’s Horse Mania Project earned the highest bid during Friday night’s LexArts auction at Keeneland. Wylie Caudill says he submitted several designs for the LexArts 50th anniversary, and his design called Sweet Cerulean was chosen. He says it took him about a week to complete the horse. He says he was inspired by a scene in the Devil Wears Prada. About 35 horses were auctioned off Friday, including Caudill’s. His horse raised $21,500. He describes his excitement of seeing his creation have an impact on the auction.
LEX18
A Lexington-based painter is adding a splash of color and creativity to the internet with his signature style of art.
Wylie Caudill is responsible for murals you might have seen across central Kentucky. Some of them have even gone viral, gaining him a large following on TikTok.
“The fact I have hundreds of thousands of people following me, millions of people watching me on TikTok is wild to me,” said Caudill.
Since Caudill started posting his artwork online, he’s gained more than 170,000 followers. Some of his videos, like one showing a behind-the-scenes look of his mural at The Grove, have racked up millions of views and helped shine a light on what makes Kentucky special.
creative mornings
Wylie Caudill on the theme of Folklore
Wylie Caudill is a Lexington based mural artist. He has painted murals for many local businesses including The Grove, Crank and Boom, High Knoll Wealth Advisors, and Soundbar. Outside of Lexington, Wylie has created art in partnership with companies such as Youtube, MTV, and Mountain Dew.
SHLTR Sessions
SHLTR Sessions is an ongoing series that profiles independent artists, craftspeople and creators across all different mediums, highlighting the unique projects they create and how you can improve your DIY skills at home.
Jekyll Island Magazine
When Wylie Caudill was tapped to create a mural in the Beach Village, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Jekyll Island becoming a state park, his initial thoughts were selfish.
“I was really excited to have my own mark on the island and be a part of it in that way, and to be a permanent part of Jekyll Island,” he says with a laugh.
Caudill’s mural sits oceanside on a north-facing wall in the Beach Village, becoming the latest example of ties to the island that run deep. His great grandmother, Tallulah “Tallu” Fish, was a journalist who founded Jekyll Island Museum in Indian Mound Cottage, the former home of William Rockefeller in 1954. It was the island’s first museum.
“She moved onto the island not long after all the Rockefellers and the wealthy people had left,” Caudill says. “She started that museum, wrote about it, and really helped launch and revive Jekyll Island.”
KRNL Magazine
Wylie Caudill is everywhere. He doesn't miss a show at the Lexington Opera House. He sets the scene for a night out at The Grove. He keeps kids entertained as they enjoy their ice cream at Crank and Boom. Exactly how does he pull this off? Through his murals. In bringing color and life to Lexington's mundane brick walls, Caudill has changed the aura of the city. His everyday outfit offers one or more pieces of clothing doused in paint, indicating that he spends most of his time with a paintbrush in hand. Caudill does not shy from self-expression. Caudill was raised by creatives. His mother and four of his aunts are involved in the arts. One is a musician, another an actor, one a writer and another a sewer and quilter."They never pushed art upon me, but they were always doing it and I thought it was very cool," Caudill said. "I was always surrounded by art, therefore, I was influenced by it."
ace magazine
Central Kentucky has become a hotbed for public art in recent years, with muralists from all over the country competing for commissions in public and commercial spaces around every corner. Now there’s a new kid in town, and his name is Wylie Caudill.
Only two years into his professional career, the fresh-faced Caudill, 24, is popping up everywhere. He’s painted commissioned murals in Cynthiana, his hometown — including several at the historic Rohs Opera House and a recent one featuring Authentic, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby — and in Lexington, where he now lives, including works at Soundbar, the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall, Rise STEM Academy for Girls, and Futile Bakery. He’s also beginning to work in neighboring states including Ohio and Tennessee, where he created a large chalk mural in Nashville this fall for MTV’s early-voting campaign.
Adventures in Lexington
The first large scale mural I did was actually done with chalk on EKU’s campus. So it only lasted a few days until the rain came. But I believe my first outdoor, public, permanent mural was a set of wings I painted on the back of a hardware store in Cynthiana. I completed those wings in June of 2018 and you can still see them in person. I spent a couple years creating public art of that scale beforehand, just none of it was permanent until that point…