Chuck Brown

From Art to Adventure: My Journey into Travel

Inspired from a young age by my parents’ travel photographs and picture books filled with stunning scenes from exotic places like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, I found myself drawn to capturing those vibrant destinations through drawing and painting. Art was my first language—a way to bring those faraway places to life on paper.

After earning my Art Degree, life took an unexpected turn. Instead of pursuing a traditional art career, I stepped into the world of travel—ironically, combining my love for beautiful destinations with the art of creating unforgettable vacations. I started by managing my family’s small group of travel agencies, and in 1984, we launched one of the very first “Cruise Only” travel agencies in the nation.

From there, we expanded by franchising, growing to over 500 agencies across the US and internationally within 16 years. During that time, I focused on running our home base in New Orleans and crafting innovative marketing programs to fuel the franchise’s growth.

In 2000, we sold the consortia, but I continued as sole owner of the home office, specializing in cruises and luxury vacations. Then, in 2020, I closed the office to embrace the freedom of working as an Independent Travel Consultant from home. It was the perfect moment to reconnect with my artistic roots—painting breathtaking nautical scenes inspired by destinations I’ve explored.

Today, I’m proud to be part of Travel Central Vacations, the premier luxury travel agency in New Orleans, where I specialize in Luxury Cruises, Tours, and Exclusive Resorts. And while I’m crafting amazing travel experiences, I’m still painting the world—one stunning seascape at a time.