Award-Winning Creative Talent
“I have exhibited at multiple libraries, Grand Rapids International Artprize, Grounds For Thoughts in Bowling Green and been interviewed by Wood TV 8, WGTE radio, 13 Action News and BCAN, had my booth photographed and put in the Toledo Blade for the Black Swamp and have some of my pieces on display for All Art Works Gallery. I am currently also on exhibit at Everyday People’s Café in Bowling Green, Ohio and have some of my pieces at Round N Round Gifts in Bowling Green as well. I also have social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok under DTaylors Art.
I also won second place in the Festival of the Trees art show and auction (2021) and won Best of Show at Toledo Artists’ Club juried show (2023) and won a Honorable Mention in Toledo Artists’ Club Abstract and Impressionistic juried show (2024).
I hope I can bring some joy into other people’s homes with my work.”
Natural Serenity on Canvas
“I like to go by “fine artist”. I have always had a love of art and creating things. I am self-taught by watching other artists and joining art groups. Nature, itself calms me and helps me find joy and peace. I love the sounds of nature, the songs of the birds or the leaves rustling lightly in the breeze is so peaceful and relaxing. Just watching the sunsets or sunrises there’s nothing like the colors those can produce to make you stand there in awe of it’s beauty).
I love the ocean crashing against the beach with the warmth of the sun on your face and a good book. Can it get more relaxing than that? This is where my art comes from. Trying to capture those moments and let others share some of those feelings as well, is where my art comes from.”
Inspiration Through Community
“If I’m feeling unmotivated or not sure what to paint, I go for a walk, look around at nature, jump on social media to watch other artists or photographers out there. I have a group of photographers that I have permission to use their photographs for reference and then I reference them in my post on the piece as well as on the back of the paintings.
Watching other artists is a great way to learn new techniques. Take something they might be doing and make it your own, with your style and flare to it. I feel I struggle with flowers so I watch other artists create flowers in different ways and try them out on my pieces, things like that. There are lots of places to get motivation from and sometimes I have too many ideas and I don’t know what to paint first.”
“I love bold colors that grab attention.”
Rediscovering Art After Family Life
“I grew up watching Bob Ross and drawing as a child. I started airbrushing in my early 20’s and loved the things I could create. I have painted on boats, snowmobiles, golf carts, coats, clothes, license plates, people, you name it.
Then, came along a family and children of my own so my art had to take a backseat while I took care of them. Once they got older I started carving out some art time for me again. I started watching different artists on social media and saw this lady painting with thick acrylic paint on canvas. How loose her style was and how impressionistic it was. I was hooked. So I joined her art group and I started dabbling in acrylic paint on canvas using palette knives and lots of thick texture. The group of artists that are in this group are always so supportive and we all help each other.”
Exploring Texture, Color, and Playfulness
“I found the palette knives offer me more freedom and does not command such a tight form as airbrushing did. I recently have started using some watercolor in my backgrounds and acrylic texture in the foreground for a looser feel to some of my pieces as well. I love bold colors in my pieces. I want them to get the viewers attention. I’ve even used some pour art behind a few pieces as well just for fun.
I keep trying to learn more. Watch more and learn different techniques to incorporate into my style. Every time I watch something or see something I want to paint, I think how can I accomplish that or tweak it into my style of painting.
I use lots of texture to try and make my pieces have and almost 3D effect to them when viewed in person. I use everything from q-tips, paper towels, cardboard, palette knives, sponges, baby wipes, spikey dog toys, or anything that might get me the texture I might be looking for in my piece. I also use post palette paint pieces, gels and sometimes modeling paste as well in some pieces for that texture. I use color shifting paints or illusion paints on some pieces for something unexpected. I also hide a heart, squirrel, ladybug, ect to find in the paintings as a fun little thing for the viewer to look for in the artwork. It has been a really fun thing to get people to engage in the art.”
https://www.instagram.com/dtaylorsart