Meet Shayne Taylor

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

Hi Shayne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story as an artist begins Michigan! I attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and received a BFA in Illustration. For a few years after graduating, I stayed in the Detroit area working as a full-time restoration artist and doing small freelance projects and group art shows the side. With hopes of finding more opportunities to illustrate and display my paintings, I made the move to Chicago in 2007. I spent a lot of time exploring my new city, visiting galleries, attending art shows, applying to artist gigs, trying to make new friends, and connecting with other artists. I consider myself extremely lucky in that I have found myself surrounded by talented, kind, and supportive creatives that I now call friends and colleagues—My husband included! I worked many random full and part-time jobs as I built my portfolio and network. Fast forward a couple years and I am now working as an independent Artist/Illustrator/Muralist. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve been working as an independent artist for about 8 years, and I think there will always be challenges and struggles to some degree. Freelancing can be a rollercoaster of ups and downs and you have to be ok with riding out the uncertainty of not knowing what’s next. I’m still learning to ride this rollercoaster gracefully. As soon my schedule is open, I immediately worry there will be no other projects and my art career is over! Admittedly, I am a worrier. Thankfully this happens less each year, but it’s something I may always struggle with as an artist earning an income through freelancing. I honestly enjoy many of the challenges that come with freelancing, like juggling multiple projects and adapting to each client’s requests. My days are never the same and I thrive when working on a variety of projects. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is always changing and evolving. Current client work includes sketching and collecting reference for a painting commission, designing and executing a chalk mural, preparing materials for painting on location at an event, and collaborating with the prolific installation artist Brandin Hurley on a custom wall hanging. I work with wide variety of mediums, but I specialize in hand drawn/painted illustrations and murals. I really enjoy creating custom-designed artwork that harmoniously fits into its designated space. One of my favorite parts about the custom art process is getting the know the client/business/city and finding ways to incorporate their story within the artwork. For example, I created a mural for the office of a construction company and the owner’s story was that he started it all with a couple paint cans strapped to the back of his bicycle. This inspirational story became the primary visual for a 25′ x 13′ mural. Combined with their current brand colors and logo, the mural became a truly one-a-kind piece of art. I think (among the few people that follow my work) I’m known for my paintings on wood. I’m currently working on two series of paintings, both of which I am super excited to share by the end of 2023! My personal work is often set a side while I work on client projects, so production tends to be slow. 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I would love to find a few opportunities in my hometown of Detroit! Most of my family is still in the Detroit area so I spend quite a bit of time there. It would be amazing to schedule a mural project or freelance gig and stay a while with family. My husband and I both enjoy traveling so I’d love to find an opportunity to paint murals or create other site-based artwork in different states and countries. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shayneart.com
• Instagram: @shayneart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShayneArt 

Image Credits
In the Black Photography
Robo Toaster