We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taylor Pate a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since I was a little girl, I always knew I was an artist. Drawing with colored pencils and crayons, as most children do, became a source of happiness and self-expression for me. I remember in the second grade when my school yearbook selected my flower drawing, which I made during art class, for its cover. That was the first time I think I really felt pride and confidence in the art I was making.

During my teenage years, there were moments when I felt a disconnect from that artist in me. However, high school proved to be a pivotal period where I rediscovered my creative flame. This was primarily attributed to the guidance of an exceptional art educator, Sam Brunette. Under Mr. Brunette’s mentorship, I not only improved my artistic skills but also forged a deep connection with my passion for creativity. The collaborative atmosphere in his classes, combined with the shared artistic journey with my closest friend and fellow artist, Madison Matlick, played a crucial role in reigniting my artistic spark. From that point forward, I embraced my artistic identity.

As I started college in a small town I opted to study art education, I believed my career choices were confined to teaching or graphic design due to the scarcity of options I saw around me. I think this is something most rural artists can relate to. It wasn’t until my sophomore year at university that I encountered Professor Amy Schissel, who taught my Painting Two class. Her words were transformative. Professor Schissel urged me to pursue fine arts and to believe in my abilities. She taught me that it would be challenging but possible with resilience, hard work, and dedication. Encouraged by her guidance, I decided to pursue a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in graduate school.

Since then, I’ve been on the arduous yet fulfilling path of a professional artist. While challenges persist, and the journey is ongoing, choosing this path has been the most fulfilling decision I could have made. To sum it up, I’ve always known I was an artist, but the support and reminders along the way have been invaluable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an artist, specializing in painting and drawing, with my creative roots firmly grounded in my Appalachian heritage. Inspired by the unique ethos ingrained in the ancient and secluded mountains of my upbringing, I craft surreal works that delve into the transformative journey of girlhood and growth.

Within dreamlike landscapes, my art opens portals into vulnerable worlds where mythology takes center stage. My works unfold allegorical tales, featuring elements such as moons, footprints, and hybrid creatures. Numinous forces echo through my art, conveying a spectrum of emotions, from the innocence of youth and the relentless passage of time to playful mischief, enigmatic mysteries, profound longing, and closely guarded secrets.

The essence of my art thrives on the interplay of opposing forces – light and darkness, spirituality and sensuality, intellect and emotion – navigating within the delicate balance of duality. Embrace and collage stand as prominent visual elements in my paintings and drawings. The persistent theme of embrace materializes through various collaged elements, exploring the nuanced ways we connect mentally, emotionally, and physically. My art encapsulates the multifaceted nature of how we embrace elements of ourselves, others, and our lives. In the collage of my art, elements converge and overlap, mirroring the diverse tapestry of experiences in our lives. Much like how we assign symbols to our experiences, my art weaves together moments and thoughts. These collaged representations reflect the way moments meld, float, shine, and fade into one another, forming a quilt of the past intricately woven into the present.

My art explores the familiar in a distorted and fantastical way. Branches contort, translucent creatures traverse between dimensions, and lakes morph into pools of night sky. Wonder and the haunting presence of darkness walk hand in hand. Much like the way a soft pink hue of watermelon lip gloss shimmers so does the raw, inner meat of a pork chop. My art beckons viewers to embrace the complexity of existence. Here, the surreal and the mundane intersect, and the beauty of growth and transformation entwines with the eerie allure of the unknown.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to undergo a process of unlearning the ingrained hierarchy within fine art. When I initially enrolled in college, I expressed my desire to specialize in “drawing.” However, I was informed that drawing wasn’t offered as a major, and it was suggested that I choose painting instead – so I did. This decision instilled in me the notion that painting held more validity than drawing. It wasn’t until my final semester of graduate school that I rediscovered the joy of drawing, and it was disheartening to reflect on the time I had lost and the art I could have created if I hadn’t internalized that biased perspective.

This experience has led me to emphasize the importance of deconstructing hierarchical ideas within the fine arts for all artists before they embark on their creative journeys. No single medium should be deemed superior to another; each presents its unique set of challenges and rewards. Understanding and appreciating the diverse strengths of different artistic mediums allows for a more liberated and fulfilling exploration of one’s creative potential.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

It’s crucial for individuals who consider themselves “non-creative” to recognize that artistic prowess is not solely about innate talent. While I appreciate the frequent compliments about my supposed talent, the truth is, I started as an average artist. What set me apart was my genuine passion for art, surpassing the enthusiasm of the average person. This distinction is significant because the perception of talent can create a barrier to entry. It’s essential for people to understand that if they aspire to pursue art, they can and should, regardless of whether they believe they possess natural talent. The key lies more in determination and effort than in any inherent artistic gift.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://taylorpate.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/painters.potion/