I follow so many dope people on Instagram. Sometimes you come across a post that makes you stop scrolling. This happened to me a few weeks ago. Scrolling through instagram, I see a mural-it says Matter is the Minimum; in black lettering and rainbow colors. I immediately commented, where is this? This is dope! The artist, Taylor Douglass, commented back that it was located on the west side of Atlanta. I was like DOPE! I want to come and take pictures. Taylor said, I can meet you there if you like!
Peep our interview below.
| Me-When did you know or feel that you wanted to be an artist? Has art always been your life long dream? TD-I have been passionate about art since I was a young girl. I always knew that my mission would be doing something creative, but it wasn’t until college that I really became interested in fine art. I actually attended to the Art Institute of Houston for fashion. It was there that I started taking painting classes that really sparked the dream. What inspired you to say; ok…I can make my passion, my career? During school and after graduation, I worked in the fashion and retail industry. As a hobby, I was painting on nights and weekends, often wishing I had more time and the freedom to create the work that I wanted. At the time, I was managing a high-volume fast fashion store. My career was exciting, yet very demanding. Like most big box retail employees, I felt overworked and undervalued. Over time, I started to realize I was not fulfilled in the same way that I was when I was painting. So in 2015, I made the decision to resign and to act on my passion. I would eventually move to Atlanta and pursue a career path in Fine Art. Me-For any young ladies, women…young and old-Have you ever experienced self doubt? What did you do to keep going? TD–As a young lady, self-doubt is always going to linger when you are doing something that you are truly passionate about. It is a scary thing to follow your dreams, but so rewarding if you push through! Fear and self-doubt are the only things holding you back to reaching your full potential! These things are learned and simply pure figments of our imagination. When I feel overwhelmed with self-doubt, I often write self-affirmations. These declarations of positive statements and goals help me formulate mission in my mind. This is what keeps me going! I also look back and think about my previous accomplishments. I remember how I might have felt self-doubt or fear then, and I realize how I was able to overcome with results! We have to celebrate our small wins, because every step, no matter how small, is still growth in the right direction. Me-Your latest piece/mural-share your passion or how you crafted this beautiful project? TD-Recently, I was fortunate enough to have been asked by Grove Park Renewal Organization to paint a mural for my neighborhood. When this project was first introduced to me, I was asked to share the message of “Black Lives Matter!”, such a powerful statement that has been heard and shared all over the world. After days of deep thinking on this, I decided that our message needed to say more. I wanted to share with the community that Black Lives MORE THAN MATTER! Matter is the absolute bare minimum! So, I drafted up a proposal to create a bright and colorful mural that reads this. This was the perfect opportunity to use my art to give back and spread a positive message. I am so beyond grateful to be able to be in a position to make a positive impact in the community and for all of the love the mural has received thus far. Pictures of Taylor’s Mural below…candids of us looking at our Sneakers. LOL! |
I really enjoyed talking to Taylor, her energy was calming and real. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her.
Check out her website; https://www.klrart.com
Peace, Love and ONLY Sneakervision!
