Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Taylor.
Hi Jocelyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Jocelyn Van Taylor and I am a self-taught visual artist, mother, and blogger. I specialize in canvas and mural painting, but my palette is certainly not limited to just painting. My interest in visual arts began as a child. Art quickly became my outlet, and by the time I was in high school, those close to me began encouraging me to take my talents more seriously. I decided to pursue my artistic career professionally at the beginning of 2013 after graduating and attending college at Georgia State University for Graphic Design.
Throughout my career, I have been honored to collaborate with many events, nightlife venues, celebrities, and amazing talent from across the world. Having my artwork be international, I have continued my journey to this present day. As I watch my transformation within creating art and looking back on what inspired me to keep going, I find that it has created a space for peace and prosperity in my journey.
I took a break from the art world just because I felt like it all started to become the same. “Trendy”. I was no longer creating for myself but for other people. Stepping into a new space of life and becoming a mother; it was time to bring change. Now, I have the confidence to say I am a force to be reckoned with. Aligning my passion with finding my purpose has been an abundant reward. Using my creative vision, I was able to expand my brand with each entity representing an aspect of my life.
Van Taylor Art is a gallery of my original artwork over from 2013 – 2021. Enjoy the visual journey that I took to get to where I am today. Ranging from canvas paintings, murals, body paint, set design, and creative direction- my artistic abilities cover any and everything needed to bring a vision to life.
The Prospective Paper is my blog, provoking thought within the community and finding solutions on how to make our communities come together cohesively. This includes: Mommie Manifest, a community of mom-printers that have an outlet to express ideas, collaborate, and structure small businesses. Eventually being able to raise funds for mothers in need of financial assistance and child care programs while they grow business. I had my first child in 2020 during the pandemic. It was certainly an experience, to say the least. In 2020, while I was expecting, I had to adapt to isolation due to the new way of life and protocols. It became my mission to create my community from the new adjustments. After joining the sacred space of motherhood, I started Mommie Manifest to raise funds for mothers in need of financial assistance and child care programs while they grow business.
S.A.G.E. Me, a health and wellness brand promoting clean eating, juicing & spiritual services. I’ve always had a love and interest for living a healthy lifestyle. After many attempts to start and stopping, I wanted to give it another try. How could I heal anyone else without healing myself first? I took time to learn properly, educate myself as well as implement my practices. I am nowhere to help as many people as I can to live a healthier and ultimately happier life.
If I had never taken the chance to bet on myself and pursue art, I would have never known what it is like to feel truly fulfilled. Being able to live and sustain off of your passion is your birthright. I am glad I was able to use my gift in order to share my story and help others through the process.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. However, it has been a necessary road to travel. During this journey, I encountered homelessness twice, bringing my son into this world unprepared, conflict with family, leaving friends behind and even death of loved ones.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I had an “ah-ha” moment due to one book, A Sacred Womban by Queen Afua. If ever there were a time of pure alignment, this was it. I was introduced to the book through a book club. Ironically we never got past the first chapter. I highly recommend any woman of color to purchase this book.
At the time, I felt that I was at a loss. I knew what I wanted to do, but figuring out which steps to take to complete my vision was the tricky part. I needed organization, discipline, and consistency. Thanks to A Sacred, I was able to achieve all of those aspects and then some. I came to the realization that in order to fix my physical reality, I needed to fully heal and become aligned eternally. Learning my truth and understand my importance as not only a woman but a black womban was empowering and the motivational fire that I needed to continue to push forward.
Pricing:
- Murals start at $25 per square foot
Contact Info:
- Email: jocelynvantaylor.info@gmail.com
- Website: http://prospectivepaper.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantaylor.art/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/jocelyn.vantaylor/?hl=en - Twitter: https://twitter.com/createdbyjoce
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoMMrgoAY3HOQYCh7q8DPmA
Image Credits:
Origin Photography – @originunited Courtney Gurlie – @gurliephotography
