January 13, 2022Artists

Movement on the water with Taylor Faulkner

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TAYLOR

My journey into the arts started as early as I can remember, 4 or 5 maybe. It was never a question to want to create something during the day, even if it was with the same purple crayon.

It wasn’t until my family packed up and moved to Belgium that all my focus went into drawing. My parents’ marriage was ending, and it was something that I could completely immerse myself into...

What a wonderful escape just a pencil and paper can be for a person. Even now, art helps me cope when my brain is full of fuzz.

COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING

I’m so thankful to be in this world. It’s a tough one at times, but I’m glad to be a part of an incredible artist community in Charleston. Without these other artists and friends, I know I wouldn’t be pushed as hard as I am to keep expanding my practice. It’s so important to throw yourself into new experiences, whether that be the people you surround yourself with or the places you choose to travel.

TAYLOR FAULKNER BLOG

"Most of my work revolves around the art of surfing. Movement on water is so beautiful to me. The way a person glides and blurs on a wave is just too good."

DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM...

People are really what inspires me the most, especially in motion. Most of my work revolves around the art of surfing. Movement on water is so beautiful to me. The way a person glides and blurs on a wave is just too good. The colors weaved in the low country also lend to my work. The muted purples and greens you can find on the water is like nowhere else.

YOUR ART JOURNEY

I started off wanting to be a cartoonist and an animator. I still love drawing characters and creating weird little dudes, but I also realized I don’t like sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time, so I stuck to fine art.

I like playing with all types of materials, and I found that the more I try new mediums, the more I evolve as an artist. It’s so cool to be doodling a character, then wanting to see what it can look like as a block print.

My true love at the moment has become soft pastel and charcoal on paper. The way you can get the finest detailing and then just create blurry chaos is so overwhelmingly satisfying. I just let my eyes start to go soft and let the motion of my subject do the rest. So that’s what I’ve focused on for my show in January. Focusing on the movements of surfers and the colors of the low country.

TAYLOR FAULKNER BLOG

CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH BEING AN ARTIST

It can be scary out there for an artist. Comparing yourself with others, asking questions like: “Am I not good enough? “Am I not producing enough work?” “Are people going to actually buy what I make?” Oof. Scary stuff.

SOME ADVICE ON OVERCOMING FEAR

Behind all that fear and uncertainty, the need to create will never stop. So just keep drawing, listen to music, go for a surf. If you feel like you’re in a rut, just remember art is always there for you and will be stoked when you return.

TAYLOR FAULKNER BLOG

"I like playing with all types of materials, and I found that the more I try new mediums, the more I evolve as an artist."

OUTSIDE OF BEING A CREATIVE, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING?

I love being in the water. Surfing, paddling, swimming, and fishing. Travel is another thing I love. It’s obviously been a bit harder recently, but it’ll be making a comeback in 2022 for sure.

LONGBOARD OR SHORTBOARD? WHY?

Longboard forever. The way you glide on the water, going for a little stroll down the face, is pure goodness. I still enjoy riding a fun shape as well because it’s fun to switch things up and to never stop playing.

HIDDEN TALENT

My rendition of ‘You’re a Mean one Mr. Grinch’ on the karaoke machine is better than the original version. TAYLOR FAULKNER BLOG