Myers Campbell of Myers Drawings

Written by Kevin Green | Photos by Peak RES

Even before Myers Campbell could properly spell the word “architecture,” he was sketching it.

His mother saw it—the way his hands gravitated toward pencils and traced outlines of buildings and rooftops with quiet curiosity. Decades later, that early passion would become a second career—one where ink, not a camera, brings homes to life.

“I've always drawn—my twin brother and I have always liked to draw things,” Campbell said. Since we were about 4 years old, we've been drawing just about anything. My mother noticed people my brother drew had personality … that's the first thing I remember. We drew the usual things as kids — monsters, cars and stuff like that. Gradually, we were just thinking up different things.”

THE RARE ART OF REAL-ESTATE ILLUSTRATION
In today’s tech-driven market, real-estate illustrators are a rare breed.

Photography dominates listings, with wide-angle lenses and drone footage becoming standard fare. However, for clients who want more than snapshots—who want keepsakes that can be personalized, stylized and timeless—artists like Campbell offer something special.

Unlike photographs, Campbell’s illustrations can adapt.

He can add a lake or remove a car parked in front of a garage. Want to move a mailbox or give the house better lighting? He can do that—something no photo-editing tool can replicate with the same handcrafted authenticity.

“I can put things in or take things out that they might not be able to do in a photograph,” Campbell said. “On the last drawing I did, I put a small pond they wanted in the picture. At any angle before, you had to use a drone or airplane to see all of it."

At $119 per house, his drawings aren’t just visuals. They are heirlooms.

"Some people around move frequently, so I've often had people ask for all their past houses; some have many—enough to fill a wall of their prior homes," he said.

A SHIFT TOWARD PASSION
Now retired for eight years, Campbell works part-time in three jobs, including drawing.

All types of architectural illustrations remain his passion. After years of corporate work, he found drawing to be both a creative release and a second income stream.

His black-and-white illustrations—chosen for their classic look and efficiency—help him cover computer and art supply costs while fueling the joy of creation.

He has been drawing buildings professionally for 13 years through MyersDrawings.com and has completed work for clients in 27 states.

Most of his work comes through word of mouth—business cards shared between real-estate agents, clients and art lovers alike.

“Word of mouth has been the best thing, with a little client base where people kept coming back,” Campbell said. “I've done multiple ones for people and family members who wanted a Christmas or other gift that was completely different from anything else they could think of.”

MARKET CHALLENGE & CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY
Campbell’s client base is often real-estate agents looking to give thoughtful gifts at closings.

The appeal of his work remains strong. He can turn drawings around in as little as 2-3 days or even the same day depending on the customer’s deadline. He doesn’t mind adjusting details from photos with some tools like Google Maps and Zillow for accuracy.

AI-generated images may be gaining traction elsewhere, but Campbell sticks to traditional methods. He said he believes it is the human touch—the imperfections, the attention to detail—that clients appreciate.

“I just couldn't figure out how to work with online too well, and I don't really trust it, so I don't do much on the internet,” Campbell said. “Zillow and Google Maps are pretty good about being able to look around a tree or see a window hidden in a photograph.  I use that—not AI.”

ROUTE 66 AND THE ROAD AHEAD
Campbell’s artistry isn’t limited to residential homes.

He is also draws Route 66 icons like the Blue Whale and the Arcadia Round Barn, which he exhibits at The Sky Gallery in Tulsa. His repertoire includes illustrations of Highway 30A in Florida and landmarks from personal travels, each drawn on-site or from memory or photographs.

Most of his drawings are black and white—colored work requires significantly more time. The results in black and white are crisp, clean and deeply personal. Every line is a labor of love.

“Putting color in it is not fun for me,” Campbell said. “While using colored pencils, you can seldom get exactly the right colors that you really want, and it takes way too long. The best thing for me is black and white. That is most enjoyable and I can make them in a reasonable amount of time.”

DRAWING
Campbell prides himself on meeting deadlines and maintaining a flawless record with clients. In over a decade of work, he always makes the customer happy.

“Agents are usually sometimes precise about what they want,” Campbell said. “Some are concerned about exactly where everything is; others like the impression a drawing makes.  I want to make it ‘Oh! I love it!’ every time. I've several wonderful repeat requests from agents.”

ART OF A FULFILLED LIFE
For Campbell, drawing is a stress reliever, a creative challenge and a deeply fulfilling pursuit.

Whether he is sketching a modest bungalow or an estate or a Route 66 landmark, each piece reflects his dedication to quality and detail.

While many people spend their retirements slowing down, Campbell is just hitting his stride— one line, one home and one story at a time.

“It's easy enough for me to do because I like to do it,” Campbell said. “It's not hard work — it's comforting. It's fun to draw; it’s just a matter of making sure it gets done right.”