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

Taylor, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

“Everything began from a place of deep sorrow…”

I am Designbyshopium, a digital artist specializing in illustration and photo editing. I hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Fine Arts, and throughout my academic journey, I honed not only my technical skills but also my ability to express emotion through visual storytelling.

But the real reason I started this work wasn’t rooted in ambition or career goals—it was born from the most painful moment of my life.

I lost my newborn daughter just three days after she was born, without ever having the chance to hold her in my arms. There are no words to describe the depth of that grief. All I longed for was one thing: to see her in my arms, even just once.

So I turned to what I knew—my art. Using photo editing, I created an image of myself holding her, just as I had imagined. It was the first moment of comfort I had felt since her passing.

That was when I realized something powerful: I wasn’t the only one in the world who needed this kind of healing. There were so many people out there grieving loved ones, craving one more moment, one more image to hold onto.

And so, I began creating personalized digital portraits not just to honor memories, but to heal hearts. Every piece I create carries a story, a connection, a memory brought back to life. My art is not just about beauty—it’s about emotion, love, and the invisible threads that tie us to those we’ve lost.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the artist behind Designbyshopium, where every creation is deeply personal and emotionally driven. My journey into this craft wasn’t planned—it was born from heartbreak.

I hold both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Fine Arts, and I’ve always been passionate about visual storytelling. But the true beginning of my business came from the most painful moment of my life—losing my newborn daughter. She passed away just three days after birth, before I even had the chance to hold her. That unbearable loss shifted everything inside me.

In my grief, I used my skills to create something I couldn’t have in real life—a photo of myself holding her. That single image gave me a sense of peace I didn’t know I needed. It wasn’t just a picture—it was a moment that should’ve existed, and I made it real through art.

That experience showed me something powerful: there are countless others who have lost loved ones and long for just one more moment. I realized I could use my art to help people feel close to those they’ve lost, to bring healing and emotional connection in a way that words or memories sometimes can’t.

Today, I specialize in custom digital portraits and photo edits—whether it’s merging a lost parent into a wedding photo, reuniting generations in a single frame, or giving someone the chance to “see” a loved one again. My work is all about emotional storytelling, memory preservation, and creating visuals that people will treasure forever.

What sets me apart is the heart and empathy behind every project. I don’t just edit photos—I listen to stories, feel the weight of what my clients carry, and create something that brings tears, smiles, and sometimes, healing.

I am most proud when a client tells me, “This is exactly what I needed,” or “It feels like they’re here again.” That’s why I do what I do—not just for beauty, but for connection, closure, and love.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is simple: this is not just art—it’s a service of the heart. Every piece I create is made with care, emotion, and a deep understanding of the value of memories. Whether it’s a tribute, a gift, or a long-awaited vision brought to life, I’m here to help people see love again—through art.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is witnessing the emotional impact my work has on others.

When someone sees a finished portrait and their eyes fill with tears—not from sadness, but from recognition, from love, from finally “seeing” someone they missed—that moment is everything to me.

Creating art that touches the heart, that helps people heal, reconnect, or simply feel seen—that’s where I find true fulfillment. It goes beyond likes, comments, or praise. It’s in the quiet messages I receive like, “You gave me something I thought I could never have.” That’s when I know my art has done something meaningful.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most powerful examples of my resilience is also the very beginning of my journey. After the loss of my daughter, I was in a place of darkness and silence. Everything felt meaningless—especially art, which used to bring me so much joy.

But instead of turning away from it, I slowly turned toward it. I picked up my tools again—not for work, not for anyone else—but for myself. I created the image of me holding my daughter, and it changed everything.

From that pain, I built a business that helps others with their own losses and longings. I transformed my deepest grief into a source of connection, healing, and comfort for people around the world.

That is my definition of resilience: not ignoring the pain, but using it to create something beautiful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://designbyshopium.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designbyshopium/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Designbyshopium/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@designbyshopium