Justin Taylor

Burial

2011-11-15T21:30:00.000-08:00

A still shot from a mini film we made today with Uncle Lyn.

night

2011-10-15T22:53:00.001-07:00

25 yrs of DEF JAM

2011-10-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

dad

2011-10-03T07:03:00.001-07:00

wild animals for my birthday

2011-09-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

My wife takes it to a new level.

Never Gets Old

2011-09-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I made a post telling everyone to buy the Neon Trees debut album. Now you cant hardly turn on the radio or watch a late-night talk show without catching a glimpse of these provo wild cats. And, I must say it never gets old seeing B Campbell own it on stage. Non-stoppable bass player.

"with you" intro

2011-09-23T08:11:00.001-07:00

half-T's and the big horn

2011-09-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Some stills from a little piece we did last weekend

hiatus disclaimer

2011-03-17T01:25:00.000-07:00

So there is possibly a couple people out there that might visit this blog every once in a while, and lately you're wondering does this guy ever paint or what? A quick note on what's in the works and eating the time away. When I'm not trying to remember lyrics to gaga's latest hits, I've been working on an animated short video to be titled "with you". Story, drawings, music. So stay tuned. I know it probably sounds a little random but it's necessary.

Paintings are still brewing. I was honored recently to be invited to a show at the Eleanor Ettinger Gallery in NY. Thanks for all the generous comments everyone.

The Artist's Mag

2010-11-15T09:09:00.001-08:00

Some of the best painters out there have dawned the cover of this magazine. I definitely don't feel like I should be perceived as one of them. I have years and years to go before I'll feel like I'm putting down what I imagine in my mind, but this is a huge honor and I'm flattered that they picked my piece for the cover of the December issue. Thanks Artist's Magazine

along the way again

2010-10-04T07:30:00.001-07:00

blaze

2010-09-07T07:05:00.001-07:00

I met this person a couple years ago. She was making sandwiches up at the sundance ski resort. The hair. The skin complexion. I left a note telling her I was a painter and wanted to paint her face. I think she was weirded out. This is one of my favorite paintings to date. Right now it's part of the mirror mirror show up at Meyer Gallery in Park City.

one

2010-07-16T14:20:00.001-07:00

There are so many aspects of this pose and composition that I like. I hope you do too. A lot of people keep asking me if I painted a cancer patient. If that's what you see in a woman with a shaved head then that is totally ok. If that can be inspiring to someone who has battled or dealt with cancer in some way then that is even better. That was not my intention initially. In this case the shape of the cranium without hair is just beautiful to me.

they're with you

2010-06-14T22:12:00.001-07:00

This piece will be on display in the Harris Fine Art Center at BYU until mid July.

self indulgence

2010-06-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

yeah weird. I've never really attempted a real self-portrait. For various reasons I've never really wanted to. I dont like spending too much time in front of the mirror in the morning much less looking at myself for days for a painting. The Julie Nester Gallery in Park City invited me to participate in a group show of all self-portraits so I agreed. I like Julie and her gallery space, and she has recruited some out-of-state artists that I respect a lot like Zack Zdrale, Eric Zener, and one of her artists whose work I am a recent fan of, David Ochoa. This piece is the largest head I've ever painted. I figure if I'm going to analyze my own features I'd go all the way. The panel measures 28" x 28". That isn't super huge, but it's a lot bigger than I usually paint. Mark making is really fun at that scale. The show opens this Saturday night, June 12th, 6pm. Hope you can make it.

This is one of the latest of my wife's work, and I must admit it is one of my favorites. I get the privileged of living with her work on our wall before it gets sent off to various shows around the world. I love this painting. Its 4ft x 4ft of interesting tactful surface. Sunny's process enables a viewer to consistently discover attractive nuances in every piece. Sunny Belliston Taylor has a solo show opening at the Finch Lane Gallery in Salt Lake this Friday, June 11th, 7pm. She will be showing a number of her small three-dimensional paintings, and about four of these latest landscape paintings. You should really be there.

step by step editorial

2010-05-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

A small editorial published in the latest issue of International Artist. I think the captions might not be linking up with the images but that's how it goes with magazine publications some times. Check it out at your local barnes and noble.

pepper

2010-05-01T23:12:00.001-07:00

Well, its been a refreshing Spring season despite the two snow storms we've had in the past week. That's normal right? For it to snow at the end of April? Diediker is back from Australia which means camp fires and Chef's Table hook-ups. And I've actually got some sun on the face while doing a little plein air painting. NOT a strong part of my skills. plein air painting. But it is good to be outside again.

Anyways, There are 3 different shows I'm excited to participate in. This painting titled "pepper" will show at the Utah Museum of Fine Art beginning the first weekend in May. I like this piece.

study

2010-04-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

A study I did for the Portrait Society's 6x9 show.

Walter Rane

2010-04-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

I have been a huge fan of Walter Rane for many years now. This is actually the first painting I saw of his that caught my interest and hooked me on Rane's work. He is a master of composition, so intelligent with the figure, surfaces, and edges. I love his work.

He will be visiting the Bridge Academy April 22nd. All people are invited. 6pm.

art class

2010-04-02T07:19:00.001-07:00

Our class at the BRIDGE is working on a head drawing series. I'm really proud of the students. They've put together some interesting work. This is us critiquing Darci's series. She's found the best subjects. I cant wait to see it finished. I'll post some of them on the bridge blog when they're done.

B Campbell and the NEON TREES

2010-03-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who has been dedicated to making music longer than I've been drawing skate-punks and cheese-monsters. He is a true "outlier" when it comes to the bass guitar. We both come from the west side of sin city where greasy pizza, slurpees, and 150 degree asphalt are the essence of a summer night. Brandon Campbell plays bass in a band called NEON TREES. They just released their debut album, HABITS. Its ONLY 7$ on itunes. Get it. If you are a lover of rock-n-roll you wont be disappointed. Even though I love my friend I would not recommend this if it wasn't good. Check it out.

the middle of things

2010-02-24T07:21:00.001-08:00

I recently painted this piece to be included in an exhibit themed "Hard Times". This show is a collection of works by living painters that address the current worldwide financial problems we are all facing, and the socioeconomic environment we live in. Maynard Dixon's Forgotten Man was a catalyst for this exhibit.

For a couple years I've wanted to attempt a modern interpretation of Daniel Ridgeway Knight's "First Grief". Never was I really shooting for the level of naturalism that Knight was committed to, it's almost like apples and oranges, but I definitely gained an even greater appreciation for the nineteenth century painters.

For those in the local area, this piece will be included in a show exhibited at the Springville Museum of Art from March 15th - April 25th. You will not want to miss the opportunity. The show includes pieces from some of the country's most accomplished renowned realist painters. Some of my all-time favorite artists including, Steven Assael, David Kassan, Burton Silverman, Gary E Smith, Sean Diediker, Warren Chang, Trevor Southey, and David Linn. The reception is scheduled for March 24th, 6-9pm. After Springville, the show will travel to museums on the east coast.

surface

2010-02-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

Rise

2010-02-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

The latest in the cause.

wish video

2010-01-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

thought I'd just throw on another short visual of the process.
Thanks for all the gracious comments on previous posts.

wish

2010-01-25T22:03:00.001-08:00

somehow the web images never seem to really do it justice.

TIME

2010-01-15T16:39:00.001-08:00

Reign

2010-01-12T20:52:00.001-08:00

The shoes are my fav.

transcendence

2009-12-15T18:29:00.001-08:00

This is the latest use of studio time. I've been completely consumed by a previous project that took quite a while to get off the easel (one excuse I have for never blogging). Now I'm just recovering by doing some funner, smaller pieces. Big hair is therapy, and outties are still amazing. Stay tuned for a new painting process video.

September Demo

2009-11-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

I dont know how much of a demo this was. It's a drawing I did back in September for the head-drawing class at the Bridge. I'm having fun messing around with some different mark making and paint application in my head drawing and painting classes at BYU and the BRIDGE academy.

One year strong

2009-10-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

we will have student work on display, and open studio for people to see what's in the works. Come enjoy

good times

2009-10-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

L to R: Kershisnik, Young, Diediker, the Giordano's, Sunny and I, Bushnell, McPherson

Bella Mesa was a hit. See more pics.

Bella Mesa

2009-10-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Sean Diediker helped organize an unbelievable group of artists to exhibit work at a new gallery in downtown La Mesa California called Bella Mesa. Be careful reading the line-up of talent this gallery is representing. It might be a little too much to take in in a moment. We (Sean Diediker, Chris Young, Ben McPherson, Brian Kershisnik, myself, American Art Collector's Joshua Rose, and many more) will be celebrating the grand opening this weekend and all peoples are welcome to join us.

Carey G

2009-07-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

A portrait commission I recently finished for some friends in Florida. Carey is an exceptionally gifted musician. Her vocal ability ranges from folk to opera, and she is has an amazing command of both styles. I was privileged enough to hear a couple songs from Carey when I was in Florida getting reference material for this painting. Now if only UPS can actually deliver the piece that would be nice. As of now its lost in the abyss of lost packages somewhere between Utah and Florida.

Sargent

2009-06-26T12:14:00.001-07:00

SOME painters or paintings just make you eager to paint. I'm down with Sargent. Ever since I became more acquainted with Sargent about 5 or 6 yrs ago, I've always liked this depiction of soldiers leaving the battle front in WWI entitled "Gassed". I wonder if the director and producers of the film Atonement referenced this piece when they were creating the set they used visualizing the same subject. Sargent really blows our minds. He had to observe all of this from life and correctly recreate that sun-set beach lighting. Not to mention the several figures composed in this piece. Nearly a hundred yrs later the majority of the work being produced today is completely inferior to this. Sometimes knowing that makes me think I should just be an accountant, or a service mechanic on the rides at Lagoon.

Head Drawing Class

2009-06-12T06:53:00.001-07:00

This is a drawing I did in my head-drawing class at the Bridge Academy. My favorite part are the marks made for the back of the hair, and how vague and lost the edges get for her right eye. I like how this one turned out.

LINCOLN

2009-06-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

I did this just because. Because I love Lincoln.
This painting was inspired by two books that I've listened
to a few times. One is The Day Lincoln Was Shot by Jim Bishop.
The other is Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns. Check'em out.

Adam Ford

2009-05-29T09:30:00.001-07:00

Adam Ford, one of my good friends, and my first real life-drawing instructor, the man who hooked me on drawing the figure and taught me everything about light, shadow, edges, line, and form, will be teaching the figure class at the Bridge Academy beginning June 4th. The class is every Thursday evening from 6 to 9. Contact me justin@justintaylorart.com for enrollment.

wise words

2009-05-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm going to make a goal to blog every Friday. Friday blogger dogger day. Because time is no joke. It wont slow down for anyone. So instead of sharing whats on the easel right now, I'm going to just share an inspirational thought I heard while painting this week. Nothing new. Just a good reminder.

I love film. I really like listening to directors commentaries. The creative process in film-making fascinates me. Bringing together several artistic elements to create a "motion picture". I see a lot of parallels in the language of a film maker and a painter. I could go on and on about that. Anyways, I listen to directors commentaries while I paint. This week I saw the THE RAINMAKER on the 5$ dvd shelf at WallyMart. Typically I probably wouldn't have taken much interest in this film, but the back cover said it had commentary by Francis Ford Coppola. For the sheltered people out there who haven't lived on this planet for the last twenty or thirty years, Coppola directed iconic American films like The Godfather part I, II, and III, Apocolypse Now, American Graffiti, The Outsiders, and many more. He directed most of America's most accomplished actors early in their careers. He's legend.

So, I like this quote from Copolla in his commentary about The Rainmaker, and I think it definitely applies to painting and picture making.

"Being an artist, ultimately what you really have to work with is yourself, and your memories, and things that have some emotional charge to them for you. Other people when they see it, instinctively they can tell what's authentic, what's an authentic thing they are being shown, or what is just some thing maybe for effect. There is a difference between what you share with an audience that comes out of your real life, whether you're a poet, or playwrite, or an actor, or film maker, (or painter). So the artist has to learn how to be available to their own instincts, and their own feelings, and be able to incorporate them in to the story."

flux

2009-03-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

Has it really been more than 2 months since I've posted anything? I'm LAGGIN!!! Well, it's probably not the best idea to be the most open-book artist on the planet. Everyone can see my process, and my many insecurities along the way. BUT, I love the process. I love the drawing. So here is the evolution of one of my most recent pieces. I wanted to go back and explore the idea I worked on with "clarity at the end of things", but hopefully a little better executed. I really like repetition and contrast (or the lack of contrast) in the desaturated figures. This piece is not even completely finished. I'll post it. yah. Thanks to everyone for generous comments. I like those

Mikell in Real LIfe

2008-12-18T00:03:00.001-08:00

A visit with Michael Workman

2008-12-15T23:43:00.000-08:00

I usually leave the Bridge Academy business for the Bridge Blog but this is cool news that some people might not find out about if they don't typically see that blog. Michael Workman, one of my painting heroes and the nations most celebrated landscape painters, is going to visit the Bridge this Friday at 6pm. He will be sharing career stories and insider secrets with us, and all people are welcome to come. We might even provide some edible treats for the masses.

Grad Student

2008-11-18T14:37:00.000-08:00

This is a small painting I just finished for the small-works show at Terzian Galleries opening November 28. Gallery Stroll in Park City.

Evolution of a face

2008-11-02T03:37:00.000-08:00

My Culture

2008-10-22T13:02:00.001-07:00

BRIDGE OPENING PARTY

2008-10-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday we had an official grand opening party for the BRIDGE ACADEMY. A perfect night. To see more pics visit the bridge blog. Thanks to all those who attended and supported.

Egon and Gustav

2008-09-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

This last week I visited New York City. I feel the need to get there at least once a year just to be "cleansed" as Sean Diediker would say. I made all the stops. MOMA, MET, and a gallery I had never been to before which was my favorite of this trip. The Neue Gallery. This gallery is dedicated to German and Austrian art from the late 1800 and early 1900's. They have this painting and a few drawings by Gustav Klimt and a painting and some drawings by Egon Scheile. I'm always so intrigued to learn about the lives of historical legendary painters. So one of the cool things I learned from this trip was:

This guy

learned from this guy

and they were total buds and had great respect for one another.
I think egon was probably the original scenester.

Rockwell Visited

2008-08-20T10:29:00.001-07:00

Little B

2008-08-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Then and Now

2008-08-03T02:03:00.000-07:00

resurrecting old buildings

2008-07-29T01:45:00.001-07:00

step by step clarity

2008-07-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

Me and Pa

2008-07-10T22:58:00.001-07:00

Instant

2008-06-29T01:42:00.001-07:00

Ok then. Here's another new piece for the Blue Rain show. I really liked the way this painting came together. It has a more polished surface and paint quality than most of my recent work. I dont know why. It just happened that way.

I usually get my painting ideas when i first wake up in the morning. Then I end up calling models and driving all over the place that day to make the idea come to life. This was one of those experiences. Jendar (the same model from my "subway" painting) will probably never talk to me again after that long long night. But in the end I think it was worth it. I love the feel and tone of this piece.

Green Eyes

2008-06-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm really deep with my painting ideas. I cant get enough of the small vertical canvas composition. I just like'em all day long. This little painting was inspired by my sister-in-law's killer green eyes. This piece is another one that will show at the Blue Rain Gallery in one week. I'm hoping everyone that I know will join our furious celebration at the gallery on the 4th of July. There is no rules in Santa Fe on the 4th of July. Its outlaw country. Billy the Kid. Young Guns. See you there.

Drawing Rips

2008-06-06T00:12:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing I did for my BYU class last semester. I should say I did this drawing in the class while they did their own drawings. I really enjoyed drawing this model. Her name is Noel and she was the best model we had all semester. A good model can be rare. Someone who just gets in. Noel got it. Drawing or painting a live model is addicting. If you are like me then you are kind of a dork, and you consider access to a good model and good music some of the best moments in life.

El fe de Chimayo

2008-05-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

The Faith of Chimayo. This is a before and after of one of my recent paintings that will be part of the group show at the Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe on July 4.

The first image is obviously the under painting. At this stage I only knew I wanted the figure of this little girl to be placed in the lower right space of the composition. I also knew I wanted to build a story with this composition about the old church in Chimayo, NM. I visited this church with my friends Ben McPherson and Sean Diediker earlier this year. There is a legendary story about the origins of this church. On the day we visited there was a group of blind people leaving as we were entering the sanctuary. The little girl in this painting represents the thousands of people who make a pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo every year in hopes of finding peace of mind and body. I thank Bella McPherson (Ben's daughter) for being the perfect model for this painting, and also Nicolai Fetchin for the photo's and drawings he did in Mexico in the early 1900's. Those were the stylistic inspiration for this painting.

The BRIDGE academy of art

2008-05-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Visit Bridge to see what it's all about

Springville Museum of Art Spring Salon

2008-04-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

First let me thank all the people who have left generous comments on my previous posts. It's especially fun to hear from people outside of the US. This blogging thing is a remarkable way to connect people. Thanks for the support. It is altogether motivating to hear from people who make and celebrate art.

It is time again for the annual Spring Salon at the Springville Museum of Art. For those who are not familiar with the show, it is the largest juried exhibition here in Utah. Many of the artists that enter this show are nationally recognized painters, sculptors, and photographers who are represented by galleries all over the world.

I am posting some of the pieces that will hang in this year's salon that are done by my painting friends and mentors. Each of these artists are people who have encouraged and supported me, and whom I greatly admire.

The show will hang from April 27th to July 6th. These are only a few of the pieces. The show is insanely good. Get there.

BENJAMIN McPHERSON

SEAN DIEDIKER

MELISSA PECK

SUNNY BELLISTON

MOLLY WILLIAMS

MARK STAHMANN

ME

Portrait Society of America

2008-03-12T13:01:00.001-07:00

Ok, I apologize for bombarding everyone with this piece over and over. Well, I shouldn't apologize. I really like this piece. Its probably one of my best. Which isn't saying much, but out of all the headache that goes in to trying to put ideas on canvas, its nice to be happy about the result once in a while.

The reason I'm posting this is because I recently found out it was chosen as a finalist in the Portrait Society of America's annual portrait competition. Out of 1200 entries 20 were chosen to show as finalists at the conference in Philadelphia this April. I'm completely shocked, totally grateful for the opportunity to show there, and I just cant believe it. Especially when I know what caliber of portrait painters are out there.

Lamell

2008-03-12T12:21:00.001-07:00

Sometimes work needs to be posted for sentimental value alone. This is not the best drawing I've ever done. I drew this with my class at UVU this week. Unfortunately the classes there are only an hr and fifty minutes. So, between helping some of the students, and breaks, there is probably an hr in this portrait. I used nu pastel so I could fill in shadow masses in a short amount of time.

This post is all about the subject. I dont see my friends very often these days. So, once in a while I con one of them in to modeling for my class. This is my friend Chance Lamell Morris. You can find Lamell in a painting on my website titled "something in a sunday". I lived with Lamell for a couple years, and he's one of the more interesting individuals on this planet. Anyone that talks to Lamell knows there's a history behind those features, and, he's the only dude I know that makes a mustache look good.

Melissa Peck show this friday March 7th

2008-03-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

Ok. Everyone out there who lives anywhere near Utah needs to know that this Friday is a show opening for Melissa Peck at the Coda Gallery in Park City. She's awesome. Her work is awesome. Its pretty much something you'll never forget. See you there.

RED

2008-02-20T10:43:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to Santa Fe, NM with Sean Diediker and Ben McPherson. We were going in to the different galleries just looking at the work and making conversation with the different Gallery owners. This gentlemen was one of those gallery owners and was very gracious in letting me get some pictures of him for a painting. Its pretty obvious why he needed to be painted isn't it? Incidentally this painting will be part of a 3-man show at Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe on the 4th of July. Sean Diediker, Ben McPherson, and myself.

clarity at the end of things

2008-02-14T19:48:00.001-08:00

seriously serious

2008-02-13T17:36:00.001-08:00

Yeah I just thought I'd post this action pic so everyone can see how serious
painting is. Serious business. Seriously, check out the furrow in my brow.
And, this is a sneak peak of the painting that took me 4 times too long to
complete. There was a few decisions in the process of this painting that
were unexpected but I am happy with it now. I'll post the final in a day or two.

2008-01-17T23:02:00.000-08:00

I used to have this painting on my website. I took it off because I didn't think it really went with the body of work that I'm trying to create. BUT, I really like this painting. I like the way the paint worked transparent in the hair, and the colors in the face and hands. This piece is my tribute to Angus Young. Angus, for any of those lost souls who dont know, is the guitarist of the Australian rock band AC/DC. And, in my opinion, Angus defines rock-n-roll. The first concert I ever saw was AC/DC at the Salt Palace in 1991. I did this painting about 3 yrs ago. It's still one of my favorite paintings, and every time I see footage of Angus ripping it makes me want to paint twenty more of these.

2008-01-13T16:19:00.001-08:00

I just realized I can post stuff other than paintings and drawings on here. I moved to Utah a few years ago for school. Its the last place I thought I'd be to pursue an art education and career. Its even more surprising to me that while I've been here I've become acquainted with some professional artists that I would usually only know from reading magazine articles or looking at gallery websites. Its been an awesome experience to connect and socialize with these individuals. This was a small gathering at the Springville Art Museum back in December.

whats in the works

2007-12-13T22:05:00.001-08:00

This is the latest project. I'm out of town until next week so it'll be on hold for a few days. I'm excited to try some new things with this painting once I actually start working the values and edges. Hopefully it'll turn out.

the kids

2007-12-12T23:06:00.001-08:00

little man

2007-11-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

Something new

2007-11-20T16:19:00.000-08:00

drawing and painting

2007-08-15T23:23:00.001-07:00

A charcoal drawing and little portrait for the show on the 31st of
this month. I usually do drawings from life with pastel. Lately I've
been trying out charcoal. Its a little more tedious, but it has its
own appeal I hope.

what to think about it

2007-08-02T00:09:00.001-07:00

Here is a little taste of what will be in the show at Terzian Galleries
in Park City beginning Aug 31. This is one of my favorite paintings to
date.

fresh on the easel

2007-06-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the bad photographs. I just didn't have the patience to wait
untill I got good photos to post this new painting. So this is just a preview
of my new painting entitled Subway. It posed a number of different problems,
and went through a few changes before looking like this. Originally
I wanted to paint the background and two figures on the left and right in a
monochrome. After painting the middle figure I liked the red scarf so much
that I thought it would be more powerfull if all the figures were in color. I knew
that I wanted edges to be lost and vague in places, and this is what it evolved
in to. Its biggest painting I've done to date measuring in at 50 in X 39 in. This will
be one of the pieces for a show at Terzian Galleries at the end of August.

head studies

2007-05-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Boo

2007-04-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

figuring out the blog

2007-04-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

So now this is my official first posting. I apologize to my friends who left sweet comments on my last posting. Images of paintings look better if you upload them as there own page element I guess. If anyone has suggestions for this let me know. Anyways, class at UVSC just ended. I had a blast teaching. I definetly learned more than my students. Its been an awesome experience. To any of my students that might see this blog I say thanks for your patience with my lack of teaching ability. I hope we all stay connected. I feel like teaching just means you sign up to have 22 new friends. It was cool. So anyways, now its on. I'm going to try and post some new stuff this week. I have a new painting in the works that I'm taking photos of in process.