Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Jones Taylor.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always been an artist. But I was an actor, singer, and dancer. I couldn’t draw a stick figure back then. I went to Drama College in London and performed or directed musical theatre for most of my young life. I worked as a talent manager and publicist for a decade in Los Angeles, successfully promoting careers such as Jermaine Jackson, Flavor Flav, Gary Busey and Kiera Chaplin. I directed creative promotions for companies, including Proctor & Gamble, The L.A. Forum, and TiGi Bedhead. But, one day, Jermaine said to me, “What are you doing, Heather? You are so talented, why are you managing other people?” I suppose a light bulb went off inside my head that day. A couple of months later, I decided to head back to Texas and live closer to my family. In 2010, my Mother introduced me to a book called, “Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain,” by Betty Edwards. After I finished the first chapter of the workbook, I was drawing. I was blowing my own mind. And I was hooked.
My mother encouraged me to continue painting with watercolor and soon after, I began selling my work online, in retail shops and through referrals. In 2012, I moved to Houston with one thing in mind – I wanted to create for a living. Today I’m blessed because I get to create every single day as a writer, producer, creative director and artist. I have had the privilege of creating for leading companies including Chevron, Reliant, and Memorial Hermann. My artwork has been exhibited during Art Basel at the Miami River Arts Festival, at Hardy & Nance Studios, Aurora Gallery in the Heights, First Saturday Arts Market, at the Chica Bonitas Exhibit in Corpus Christi, and starting in July, 2018 will be on sale at Affaire d’Art in Galveston. This fall, my abstract nudes will be exhibited at the Spanish Benevolence Art Society in New York. In my spare time, I volunteer for the Victory Fund, HomeAid Houston, Human Rights Campaign, and the Watercolor Art Society-Houston.
Please tell us about your art.
Primarily I’m known for my abstract nudes created with watercolor on paper or canvas. I have also created mixed media abstracts blending acrylic and watercolor on canvas. For my “Birds with Words” series, I blend decorative paper, clippings from the Bible, newspaper, New Yorker or other books, and paint to tell stories. I also create botanicals, flowers and love creating expressionism art through blending textures and trinkets.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I’m an emotional painter so many times my work is created from loss, happiness, frustration or satire. Success is when you move someone with your work. I believe we are all put on this planet to connect and inspire each other. If my work encourages and inspires emotion, then I feel successful. There’s nothing quite like watching someone’s face when they stare at your art on the wall and that person feels a connection – an emotion – whether it is joy, sadness, or simply feeling understood.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My art is on sale at Affaire d’Art in Galveston http://affairedart.com/?page_id=170 (2227 Postoffice, Suite B) and online. During the year, I showcase at local galleries, First Saturday Arts Market, Hardy & Nance Studios and Avenue CDC annual fundraiser at Sawyer Yards.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heatherjtaylor.com
- Email: heatherjonestaylor@gmail.com
- Instagram: @heatherjtaylor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherJTaylorART
Image Credit:
Heather Jones Taylor
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