Stephanie Taylor of Sacramento and California on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Stephanie Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Stephanie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I’ve been writing about the California environment and water for 15 years and this satisfies me in so many ways. One, my curiosity is always challenged, and two, I’m so immersed that I lose myself. Finding myself? I find myself by learning.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve had a remarkable career making large-scale art in public places, but while each project was amazing, that career is over. I created original art for (mostly) large corporate hospitality projects and had an amazing amount of artistic freedom. Now, most of those same entities aren’t buying original art, just reproductions.

Part of my success as a professional artist since 1977, is my ability to look ahead and adapt to what I see coming–before it gets to me. For example, in the mid-90s, I realized I didn’t want to be on the wrong side of what was known then as “the digital divide.” So I had to learn Photoshop, and then Procreate, and now AI, though only for research and editing.

As each year passes, I’m becoming more attracted to the process of writing than making “art.” Part of this was because in the public nature of my past work, I felt I had improved people’s lives as they experienced architectural space, either daily as employees or as guests and visitors. My work has always been more location and history-based, bringing meaning to a place.

Now I want to incite that same curiosity to learn in others through the medium of writing books and essays.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The world only tried to tell me who I should be. I admit that as a rebel, it wasn’t always easy. To be honest, I wanted both a career and a family and that was NOT what was expected in the early 70s. Good grief! Back then, my husband had to co-sign for my American Express credit card.

I know my kids have some reservations about me as a mom. I told my daughter that I’d really been that mom who made chocolate chip cookies for her after school. Only–I ate them.

My ex wanted me to make money and also be like his devoted stay-at-home, passive mom. Boy was that a doomed expectation.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve never given up. I’m not going to give up and now I’m getting pretty old. I think I still have a lot to offer, and guess what? I do. I gave birth and raised three kids and kept on working as an artist all the way through. Whew!!

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?
That there’s a pecking order to being an artist: museum shows at the top, major NYC next, important galleries and collectors in other cities…on down to the commissioned artist.

Well, guess what? It’s all about money. It’s never not about money. Why am I an artist who thrived on commissions? Because I was a great salesman–the product being me–my ability to deliver what I promise on time and on budget.

Museum artists (most) are under as much pressure to make their buyers happy as I ever was, and probably a lot more. Ask any artist who’s ever wanted to change style.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That it’s really all about curiosity. That’s what drives the most interesting people, and also why so many others are so dissatisfied, intolerant, and bigoted.

Wanna be happy? Put your ass on the line to learn something you know absolutely nothing about. And then do it again. Do it for your whole life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Stephanie Taylor Photographer

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