Meet Kendyl (KC) Taylor of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendyl (KC) Taylor.

Hi Kendyl (KC), please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always loved the act of making and creating something from nothing, only employing my hands and my mind. In 2022, I had a rough year and found woodworking as a way to express what I was going through and work through the feelings I was having. After dabbling with small wooden pipes I call “woodies” I decided to go back to school and get a formal art education to learn how to work bigger. Currently, I am completing my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Sculpture this December. While pursuing my degree I’ve worked in construction and carpentry to strengthen my technical skills and expertise.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I believe the road to anywhere worth going is gonna come with some rocks, bumps, flat tires and detours. If it was easy everyone would be at the finish line by now. Specifically though, while I was fortunate to have scholarships for school, that doesn’t cover everything in life. Working to keep the bills paid while balancing staying creative is a hurdle I still have trouble getting over. As a result of lacking creativity but being surrounded by creatives, imposter syndrome creeps up quickly. I think it’s important to have a support system that reassures you whether that be friends and family or your professors and classmates. In addition to that, I keep a lot of my work up around the house to constantly remind me that I am an artist and a pretty good one.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a sculptor with a specialty in wood but I like to incorporate textiles, metal, found objects and other materials as they suit my conceptual needs. Most people know me for my “Woodies” which are carved wooden smoking pipes or tokens. On a larger scale I make landscape installations like an outdoor sitting space with a fountain made from a repurposed porcelain sink. I am proud of both my carpentry and landscape designing for different reasons so it’s hard for me to put one above the other. I am constantly trying to top what I did before so my most rewarding project was one outside of my comfort zone of carving and employed textiles instead. I made a comforter and turned it into a circular curtain to give a person inside the cover a hug. I think what sets me apart from others is my eagerness to try different mediums and my introspection that helps me find unusual connections between mediums, techniques, concepts of thought and life around us.

What matters most to you?
My peace and connection with God through meditation, prayer and grounding exercises. Putting my peace of mind first through my spiritual practice is paramount to my ability to wade through this society.

Pricing:

• Freestyle Large Woodies – $45
• Custom Woodies – $75+
• Freestyle Small Woodies – $25
• Buddie holders – $40+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Kayceesme.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayceesme?utm_source=qr