The Grayt Cow 

In early Grayton Beach, you were just as likely to run into another person, as a pig or cow.

When Allen French invited me to contribute a piece of art for the Grayt Wall, I immediately said, “You bet!” I began brainstorming an image that would resonate with the many visitors to Grayton Beach—something that captured the town’s fun, funky, and slightly offbeat charm.

While researching the area’s history, I came across a story about Grayton Beach’s early days. In the late 1800s, Army Major Charles T. Gray built a homestead here, and a few years later, in 1890, General William Miller and his family became a neighbor. Miller settled on the eastern edge of Western Lake, where he grazed over 10,000 head of cattle and countless hogs on the open land. That little-known history sparked my imagination. I pictured one of Miller’s cows meandering through the dunes, making her way to the shore for a bit of sun and surf. And so, The Grayt Cow was born—a playful character with roots in both the region’s past and its quirky present.

I painted The Grayt Cow on a 9-foot by 8-foot pressure-treated wooden panel crafted by local artisan William Whalley. The panel is heavy—really heavy—and required several of us to lift and install it. I used Golden Acrylic Paints to bring the cow to life with bold, expressive strokes. To protect her from the intense Florida sun and ever-changing coastal weather, I finished her off with a UVA-protective varnish.

The Grayt Cow is more than just a mural—it’s a whimsical nod to Grayton Beach’s roots and a joyful symbol that speaks to everyone who visits. Whether you know the history or not, I hope she brings a smile and a sense of connection to this unique, free-spirited place.

 Watch a timelapse video of the Grayt Cow