We were lucky to catch up with Taylor Higgs recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Taylor thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

So about a year and a half ago, I was in the middle of a pretty rough quarter at school. I had just come back to campus after a year of being at home due to the pandemic and I was wrestling with some personal issues alongside the dread of not knowing if I was good enough for my field. I really needed to take a step back and realize that maybe I needed another creative outlet that wasn’t centered around my career. I needed to be able to work with my hands away from technology in a creative way for a change, away from the pressure I was already feeling as an Illustrator. My friend Katrina had been a Jewelry Designer for some time at this point and talking to her gave me the courage to try it out with clay jewelry. It started out as a hobby and I won’t lie, those first dozen or so pairs of earrings looked rough, but I saw myself growing and getting better at it and decided maybe I could give being a small business owner a try. I’m really glad that I did because now I’m still able to use jewelry making as an outlet and bring beautiful pieces to people to wear.

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

Hi! My name is Taylor Higgs, also known as Tay Marie, and I’m an Illustrator and Jewelry Designer from and based in The Bahamas. I offer poster and publication illustration as well as concept art, in addition to my small business where I hand make clay and gold plated earrings! I’m still breaking into the illustration industry but I just received my BFA in Illustration and have been reaching out in the hopes of working on some really cool projects. I love to work with fantasy and mythical concepts because I love the possibilities that come with them. The fashion, the environments, and the props are all so varied that there’s a ton of room to explore. In terms of my jewelry, I love to use very abstract shapes that help the pieces really stand out as a statement. I’m most proud of my ability to work through problems and reach a goal that I’m happy with, even if I need to take a step back a few times to reassess. Being able to meet my clients at markets and see how my work makes them light up also lets me know that all the frustration that can come with creating, is completely worth it.

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.

Growing up I knew that when it came to my career I had to go into something art-related, and it wasn’t until I was almost finished high school that I knew I wanted to be an Illustrator. When I made the choice to study Illustration I got a lot of confused looks wondering if it was an actual career and if I was wasting my time. Thankfully, my parents always encouraged me and I knew that this was what I wanted to do. That doesn’t mean that it was a smooth ride though, and it still comes with its obstacles. There were so many times throughout college that I looked at my work and knew it wasn’t what I expected of myself but I was so drained from the burnout that I couldn’t bring myself to alter it at the time. There are these moments that have you just looking at the same piece for hours on end and consistently problem solve to get it to where you want it. That’s one of the reasons that I stress to people that this is a career and not a hobby. The time and effort and dedication that goes into this craft are undeniably worth it to me.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think society loves artists and creatives when it comes to the work that’s put out because it makes the world so much more vibrant and full of life and individuality. The problem comes in when it comes to recognizing that the beautiful art that is admired comes with years of hard work and dedication, a lot of failures, and growth. I’ve spoken with a lot of people who’ve told me that I would draw without being paid, so why should I be paid? Valuing and respecting artists is a big step toward showing support and fostering a thriving creative ecosystem. Share the work you find jaw-dropping within the wishes of the artist, credit the artists, and respect the copyright!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taymariehiggs.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taymariehiggs/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-higgs/