Meet Michael Taylor | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My original thoughts of starting my own business were excitement and endless possibilities directly followed by self doubt and uncertainty. I wanted my art to be seen and I knew I had to move forward with my own business, my own brand, even if I failed dramatically. The journey to this point has been very challenging to say the least, however, I’m still here, grinding away. It is really rewarding when everything you learn, every bit of recognition you receive and every dollar you make is a direct byproduct of what you put into the process. By the same token, when you lose focus, fail to plan appropriately or just get lazy, you earn exactly what you put into the process. You need to be hands on and accountable for all the choices and tough decisions that will come your way daily. I believe a fundamental key for success as a business owner is to pay attention to your surroundings and your peers. There are a lot free lessons to be learned just by being observant. Why are some people successful and why are others failing? Owning your own business is a lot like Legos. You have the freedom to construct your concepts any way you like but if it isn’t working, take it apart and start again. Being adaptable and aware is absolutely essential. I don’t know how this will turn out for me but at this point, I’m in for a penny, in for a pound.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My pathway to becoming an artist was as unconventional as you can imagine. I did not create a piece of art for 34 years and it seems like I lived multiple lives in that time span in between. However, I am here now and I am fully vested in what I do. For the last five years, I have tried to reclaim as much lost time as possible. As an artist, the thing I’m most proud of is my growth. I can see my improvement and development as an artist. The world of creativity can be tedious, difficult and very humbling. I have learned endless new lessons, seemingly one every day and I try to use each one to make something wonderful and make me better. I am still at odds with recognition with my work. Everyone loves affirmation but sometimes I still cannot believe I’m here and people actually buy my art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Going out with me is not an exercise for the meek & mild. In no particular order our itinerary would be something like this; visit the Clairmont Lounge, go to the High Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, see the Doll’S Head Trail, leave a tag on Krog Street, see a show(s) at the Tabernacle, and Uber hop all my favorite Irish pubs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hyperbole aside, there are so many people to thank in this journey of mine. However, my immediate family has played the most fundamental part of the adventure. They have been supportive beyond comparison, often insisting I move forward when I was hesitant in my decisions. They have been equally supportive in both failure and success. Every artist has a Muse and mine is essential to the very concept of my identity as an artist.

Website: michaeltaylorabstracts@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeltaylorabstracts