ARTIST BIO

Taylor (Choctaw/Irish) is an artist & poet who has lived in NY for the last 15 years. His primary medium is colored pencils and paper, with an emphasis on figurative representations and portraiture, often couples with his poetry. His poems are of the dispossessed, street people, hustlers... the lonely. Showing an acute understanding of the lives and psyches of his subjects, Taylor uses poetry and drawings to create a devastating work that not only chills the reader, but leaves one stunned at the eloquence of his writing. Though tragic in its themes, Taylor's illustrations and poetry may be liberating and cathartic for both the writer and the readers. Taylor's honest portrayal of a life colored by shame is at once a sadly beautiful series of works, and more so, a profoundly important body of work.

ARTIST STATEMENT

When I was a kid I would draw often because paper & pencils were free and I never had the chance to do other things that cost money. My five older siblings ruined my chance at an early age by taking music lessons and other activities which my parents had pre-paid for them, eventually drop out or grow tired of it. When it was my time to choose an interest I was told to get a job instead. Being only eleven, I got a paper route, mowed lawns and collected cans to buy art supplies for my work. As a young adult, I enjoyed creating and using my imagination. I felt very alive and sometimes I felt like my hand was flowing by itself while I watched it create. Since my parents were not married, I lived both between my mom & dad and their families. The physical and emotional abuse both at home at school forced me to isolate myself from everyone. I would put on my headphones & listen to music and just draw for hours.

At eighteen years old I hitch hiked to New York City to get away from a small town life. Once hitting the streets of Times Square, I was the happiest person alive. Even though I only had thirteen dollars in my pocket it didn’t matter because I was finally able to express myself without anyone hurting me or telling me to shut me up. In 1992, I started writing my book "Shame", a story about a boy growing up gay in a small town placing a little of me and what I learned from a gay, lesbian and transgender youth group that I attended for a month at The Door Alternative Learning Center. Although unpublished, I am still very proud of it today. My second book "Emotional Rotation" I completed in 2003, a collection of poetry & illustrations about my "twenty's" in New York City. I would like to call it my teen years though because I finally felt popular and had group of friends who believed in me with no one saying I was ugly. Now, in my thirties, I feel more mature in some ways but I’m still a kid at heart when I draw or write. And although I am not churchgoer I do believe in GOD and he or she has given me a gift to use to create works of art. GOD has protected me thru my ups & downs in this life.

"I I’ve lived and learned from the choices & the mistakes I’ve made and now know I have a tale to tell" Taylor 2005

FILM

The Brave One - NY jail line up number 4 - Redemption Pictures
Enchanted - Walking thru Times Sq. - Andalasia Productions
Music & Lyrics By - Concert Extra - Redemption Pictures
The Nanny Diaries - Graduation Back Ground - Weinstein Co. Shari Berman & Bob Pulcini

TELEVISION

Law & Order
A&E Detectives - Shooter
The Brave One - lineup scene - Suspect
Ugly Betty
New Amsterdam - Fight Scene - NBC Dir. Lasse Hallstrom
Lipstick Jungle - Party guest - NBC
Court TV Pilot - Audience member - NBC
Law & Order - Inmate visitor - Entertainment Partners
75th Anniversary Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular - 75 Santa Clause - Nightagency.com

COMMERCIAL

Cablevision Commercial / iOHD Optimum
Cablevision - Background - Optimum/Team Music
Verizon - Background - Optimum

THEATRE

Disease or Crime? - Angelo
Faith Keepers & Changers - Georgie (choir boy)
Ophelia’s Rainbow - Voice Overs: Robber, cook, postulate & child’s voice
Shaking The Cage - Officer Rowan Clohessy
Indian Givers - Poetry reader

PRINT

Sprint - Sprint customer - PROOF Films Producer Louise Feldman

EDUCATION

Cold readings, scene study, Shakespeare & improve - 2005 American Indian Community House Acting Dawn Jamieson & Tyree Giroux

SPECIAL SKILLS

Swimming, bike riding, disco roller skating

Website:

www.myspace.com/TAYLOR1NY