We recently had the chance to connect with Marjorie Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marjorie, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Snorkeling around La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove, I’m reminded of the beauty of the natural world. Away from the noise and the news, I’m able to find peace. Swimming with schools of fish, spotting stingrays, and being immersed in a world adjacent to ours, yet so different, allows me to be in the moment.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I combine my passion for creating art with a love of travel and exploration. That is why you may find me riding camels in the Sahara Desert, painting in fields of lavender in the South of France, or swimming in cenotes in the Yucatan.
Painting en plein air enables me to capture the atmosphere of a place and brings authenticity to my work. When I’m at home in San Diego, I love painting in Balboa Park, Torrey Pines Preserve, and throughout the region. My curiosity keeps me engaged and I enjoy a wonderful community of artists while working in my studio at Woodward Contemporary in Old Town.
As important as it is to exhibit my work, it’s even more important to me to share the love of creating art with others, whether kids at a foster home in Mexico, or immigrants from various countries struggling with the challenges of resettling in San Diego. I recently began a painting class with the International Rescue Committee at their Women’s Resource Center in El Cajon. The pride I see in people’s eyes when they have created their own piece of work is joyful to me.
Painting is a language and I love the art of storytelling with images and words. In addition to painting in oil, acrylic, and watercolor I also am a writer.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I spent 7 months bicycling and camping throughout Europe, it was a game changer. Seeing with my own eyes the art that I’d previously only seen in art history class, meeting people from all over the world, and experiencing other ways of life expanded my horizons. Instead of satisfying my wanderlust, that trip only fed it. I travel whenever I can and love exploring other cultures. Whether in Mexico, Turkey, Morocco or Cuba, my journeys always challenge me to open myself up to new people and new experiences.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
As a sensitive person, I find it difficult to enjoy success and happiness with so many terrible things happening in the world. It became increasingly difficult for me to paint pretty pictures to sell to wealthy people because I felt like I wasn’t being authentic to myself. I withdrew from entering exhibitions or participating with organizations who catered to an audience I didn’t connect with. I volunteered with Art Adventures and started going to Tijuana to teach art at a foster home. It was so fulfilling and joyful to be with those kids, and they taught me as much as I taught them. Unfortunately COVID ended that program. But after the last horrible election, I had to do something and rounded up some of the Art Adventures team to start a program teaching art with the International Rescue Committee. I can’t change the suffering that happens in the world, but I transform that pain into trying to do something good in my little corner of the world. Also, some of my art has become more political and last month I submitted a political piece to an exhibition. I was sure the piece would be rejected, but it won a Best of Show award.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lies in the art world have to do with defining what is good art. Those who determine which art is worthy of large price tags or which artists are exhibited in galleries or museums have subjective opinions just like everyone else.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop trying to please everyone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: taylorpaintings@gmail.com
- Instagram: @taylorpaintings
- Linkedin: Marjorie Taylor
Image Credits
For the personal photo only, please credit Katie Gardner
