Taylor Shaw left Destin years ago to pursue art, earning a master’s degree and teaching before becoming a full-time muralist. Now the Destin native has brought his work back to his hometown, transforming Harbor Tavern with colorful murals that celebrate Florida’s retro aesthetic.

• Shaw, who works under the artist name Lazer Chef, completed multiple pieces at the restaurant — at the entrance, interior and on a large retention wall that took about 10-12 days to paint.

The project emerged from a chance encounter and childhood friendship. Shaw ran into Harbor Tavern owners John Mekhail and Tony Mekhail at a local Mexican restaurant.

“Last time I was in town painting, I think maybe for East Pass Coffee — I ran into John and Tony and they asked me to paint something for them,” Shaw said. “So that’s how the collaboration began.”

The Mekhails and Shaw have known each other since childhood, attending vacation bible school together and later Fort Walton Beach High School.

• “He’s a local, we’re locals and it just made sense to make this project more of a community,” John Mekhail said.

Shaw’s style draws heavily from his Florida roots — Miami beach aesthetics, mid-century modern design and the distinctive look of the 1980s and 1990s.

“I’m really into retro old school Florida stuff — Miami beach style, mid-century modern design. And then a little bit of the eighties and nineties stuff that we grew up with,” Shaw said. “A lot of cubist influence and things of that nature. And a lot of gators, flamingos, palm trees.”

The retention wall posed particular challenges. Its tapered shape meant Shaw couldn’t work from complete dimensions, instead designing and painting the piece in small sections.

John Mekhail said they gave Shaw complete creative freedom.

• “I didn’t want to interfere in his creativity at all,” John said. “As someone who tries to be creative, I don’t like when someone impedes. So I made sure to just completely give him freedom.”

For Shaw, the project holds special meaning. His first mural — the postcard piece at Destin Commons — was painted about a decade ago.

“It’s super cool because growing up in Destin, there wasn’t a lot of public art here,” Shaw said about Destin’s expanding mural scene.

He now lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his partner, who runs the printmaking department at Ole Miss, and travels to paint murals. Upcoming projects include work in Atlanta, Charlotte, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

John Mekhail said the collaboration challenges perceptions about Destin’s cultural identity.

• “I’m so grateful. I feel honored that we get to have this location on the Harbor,” John said. “I just want to continue to back up our work and elevate everything around it — having the opportunity to have this as the backdrop for our business is priceless.”

Those interested in commissioning Shaw can find him on Instagram @lazerchef or visit his website here.