We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James Jared Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James Jared below.

Alright, James Jared thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

There were two meaningful projects I have had.

The first one was a public sculpture project for the city of Palm Springs. In the summer of 1999, I created a series sculptures for a park with nine apprentices from local high schools. I am still in touch with many of those student apprentices. They are now, artists, doctors, and business people.

The second meaningful project was when I walked the entire 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago across Spain. About halfway through the journey, I was in this little village where I was working in my sketchbook. Three children from the United States walked up to me and asked me if I was an artist. I told him I was an artist and an art teacher. They immediately took out their respective sketchbooks and showed me their work. I found out an art teacher is never out of the classroom.

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 have been a practicing sculptor and painter for over forty-five years. Being an artist is something I have always wanted to do since I was in high school in the mid 70s. The visual arts allowed me to combine my many interests in literature, science, language, and music.

I received my training at the Kansas City Art Institute and Rutgers University where I received my BFA and my MFA, respectively. I also attended the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture. In the 80s, I was an apprentice and then a staff member at the Johnson Atelier where I learned foundry and metal fabrication. I have created art that is based in tradition two more abstract and minimalist work.

After moving to California in 1988, I became an educator in the visual arts where I taught at various colleges, high schools and universities. During that time, I was also a practicing and exhibiting artist.

Since I have received some of the best training, I work in all media- acrylic painting, watercolor, wood, bronze casting, fabricated metals, and occasionally printmaking. My life as an educator has also allowed me to pass on those skills and knowledge. I retired from teaching in 2020. In the summer of 2022, I was an artist at the ACI residency in Corciano in Umbria, Italy.

Over the years, I have created artwork large and small. My work is in public, corporate, and private collections around the world including a public sculpture in Palm Springs, California. I had a one person exhibition at the Coachella Valley Art Center in October 2022. Working in different media and styles has allowed me to take commissions, participate in solo and group exhibitions, and have my work purchased by collectors.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think one of the best things society can do for artists and creatives is to broaden and increase education in all of the arts This can be done through museums, private philanthropy, corporate engagement, civic projects, and most importantly, schools. Education for will increase the opportunities for artists especially when it comes to performances, exhibitions, etc. Those increased opportunities will also benefit artists’ livelihood.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The most important thing about being an artist, musician, dancer, or actor is to keep practicing your craft. They were many times when I had jobs I didn’t like in order to pay rent and put food on the table. But during those tough times, I was always working in my studio. If I could not be in the studio, there was always my sketchbook where I developed my ideas to be completed at a later time. I have over forty-five years of sketchbooks and journals stored in my studio. I love to look at them from time to time because they trace my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jamesjaredtaylorarts.com/
• Instagram: jamesjaredtaylorarts

Image Credits
Photos by James Jared Taylor