Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Taylor.
Kirsten, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the Blackland Prairie Region of North Texas. My childhood was rural and influences my work, presenting itself as a love of nature. From a young age I always interested in art. My father was a carpenter and my mother taught me how to draw. Through them I learned a love of materials and making things. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Art in Studio Art at Baylor University. During this time, I was introduced to clay and fell in love with the qualities of the material. I continued using other materials such as fiber and paper, however; I focused on clay for the next five years. Eventually I attended graduate school at the University of Kansas and expanded my use of fiber, paper and wood combining it with ceramic sculptures. My focus since graduate school has been making mixed media sculptures that map the connections between plants, animals, humans, and landscape. I recently moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where I work and teach at Florida State University.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have experienced the same struggles many artists face, namely finding the time and space to make work. As someone who works in clay, I require access to a dedicated studio space and kilns to fire in. At various times, I’ve transported fragile work, set up shop in someone else’s studio, and in general depended on community for help. Time is always a struggle for artists and my experience has been no different. Because the labor of art goes mostly unpaid, I have had to balance my desire to make work with jobs to pay the bills. There have been times when art has had to take the backseat to other demands. Overall, I feel very lucky to have a supportive family, which has made any hurdles much easier to overcome.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I focus on our relationship to land and the natural world within my artistic practice. I map the connections between humans, plants, animals, and place. I use foraged or local materials, when possible, to nurture my relationship with land. Responsibly foraged or cultivated plants become paper, ink, or natural dye. I use a regional clay and source local wood. I create mixed media sculptures depicting the animals and plants that I encounter within the ecosystems I call home. Through these sculptures, I explore the network of life that surrounds and sustains me, encouraging this exploration in the viewer as well. As part of my artistic practice, I create social practice events that encourage the audience to learn about the habitats and creatures around them. I have focused on topics such as habitat restoration, introduced species, and bird song. I am most proud when community members find a new appreciation for nature after participating in one of these events or learning more about my artwork.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband is an artist and incredibly supportive. He not only understands the demands of being an artist but at times lends his perspective and expertise to my process. We’ve moved work, equipment, and materials for each other more times than I can count. My family has always been supportive of my art career, encouraging me in many ways. For instance, my father built a work table for painting and drawing to my specifications when I was in high school. I’ve had many mentors during my academic career; Paul McCoy, Berry Klingman, Mary Ruth Smith, Ernest Gentry, Luke Sides, John Neely, Dan Murphy, Todd Hayes, Marshall Maude, Sarah Gross, Joseph Meinecke, Mary Anne Jordan, Norman Akers, Kelly Kindscher, Steve Gurysh, and Megan Kaminski. These teachers shared their practical knowledge as well as conceptual ideas, shaping the artist I am today. An early supporter of my work, Jocelyn Bowie, purchased work and provided studio space at a pivotal moment in my journey. My first job working at gallery increased my understanding of the artmaking process and gave me a valuable skillset. Betsy Stirratt and Linda Tien, my mentors at that first job, taught me so much of what I know about gallery work. Cotter Mitchell worked at University of Kansas when I was a graduate student. He is one of the most knowledge woodworkers I’ve ever known. He was very generous with his time and skills and made some of my larger artworks possible. Of course, there are so many more friends and colleagues that have impacted my work, Nicole Woodard, SK Reed, Sammie Hardewig, dillen peace, Debbie Barrett-Jones, Tiana Honda, Dora Agbas and Tommy Lomeli to name a few. Lastly, I must recognize the plants, animals, and landscapes I find myself in. They are the reason and inspiration for my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.x10studios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/x10studios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/x10studio?
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-taylor-13a344112/
