Life & Work with Michael Taylor of Blue Ridge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Taylor.

Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a disabled veteran and a self-taught abstract artist. I have a small home studio hidden up in the North Georgia mountains near Blue Ridge, Georgia. The majority of my art shows are in the Atlanta area. I had a definitive inclination towards art even as a young person. The ambiguity of creativity and the endless possibilities fueled my imagination. I was inspired by the images of the greats; Picasso, Dali, Kandinsky, Malevich, Rothko, and of course, Pollack. However, my passion for art was strongly frowned upon, and I stopped art altogether by 16.

In 2017, after 34 years of being totally dormant as an artist, I picked up a paintbrush and did my first painting called Monkey Wrench. I have not stopped painting since. My medium(s) are generally acrylics and resin on either canvas or handmade wood canvases with an emphasis on heavy texture and loud colors. I will incorporate anything into a painting, such a metal, wire or repurposed materials. I have created a painting with every tool imaginable, such as straws, rags or power tools. I love the chaos of abstract forms, and size definitely matters. There is no greater compliment than when a client puts my art into their homes or workplaces. I still cannot quite rationalize that people choose my work over all the other options available. I guess I am an example of holding your passions close and seeing them to fruition no matter the obstacles or length of time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My art journey was never a smooth one. I had to endure decades of uncertainty to finally be able to enjoy one of my great loves.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I want my artwork to be expressive by both sight and touch. My art is generally characterized by four factors; texture, movement, size, and loud colors. I will utilize any tool to make a painting, from the brush to power tools. I construct many of my canvases out of wood, and the entire process is done by me. I often incorporate various metals or repurposed materials in my mixed-media paintings. My subject matter can be about anything, just expressed in abstract forms. Like many of my heroes, I don’t follow the rules. I am not classically trained, and I’ve never been to an art class, not even in high school. And yet, people ask me to create art for them. That concept is simply mind-blowing to me.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
If that thing is really your passion, you will find a way. It will be difficult, and you will fail often. However, you simply persevere until you achieve your goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: michaeltaylorabstracts.com
• Instagram: michaeltaylorabstracts
• Facebook: Michael Taylor Abstracts