Taylor Nicewaner

My name is Taylor Nicewaner.

I’m 27 years old and I have been an illustrator and painter for as long as I can remember. I’ve been drawing since I was about 8 years old. I'm not really sure why I got into the craft or why I've held it with such a high passion. If I had to figure it out I'd say it was because the idea of creating something that doesn’t exist from the mere essence of your brain is an incredible feeling to me. When I sit down and start making lines that turn into these images that no one else has ever thought of you have to understand you’re inventing and creating something SO entirely unique to you and yourself. You’re creating something that is strictly and only unique to you and the reason you decided to start drawing those lines. Art, and everything about it is the most sensual feeling I’ve ever experienced. You can’t mess up when it comes to art. Everything in this world is an art form. Things may not go the way you originally planned but like life you have to go with the way things are becoming and try your best to appreciate and make it beautiful. Once you learn to appreciate art as a whole it can save your life. The older I get, my art and my illustrations have saved me from the darker parts of my thoughts and the constant attempt to destroy who we are as a personality.

When I start a drawing or a painting the world stops moving. The effort and patience I put into the work I make are so severe, the only thing that matters to me is that I’m trying my absolute best to make the drawing or painting as perfect and beautiful as I can when it comes to my own standards. If I don’t try my best, why should people appreciate it? Its okay if some people aren’t into the art you create. Its okay if people don’t think the art you create is “GOOD”. It's yours and you get to own that. Those people criticizing your work may have never even attempted to do what you’re trying to do. The most beautiful part about art is how under appreciated it is. People don’t understand how much time and effort can go into one piece and honestly I love that because they’ve no idea what they’re missing out on. I’ve worked on one piece for over 2 and a half months before, adding the littlest detail and effort into the smallest parts. Art is a passion and a desire to create something that you’re truly passionate about. You have to be willing to spend every second on your craft to such an important regard because your work reflects who you are as a person and how you’d like to live your life. When people see my art they always ask how I thought of what I created and my answer is usually that I didn’t. I’ve had maybe two paintings that I legitimately have planned out. And they’ve turned out with appreciation and confidence from my self because I gave them all I had in that moment. When people see my art I want them to know I’m willing to spend every second I own to make it my best. Every painting and drawing I create get better and better each time. And you have to appreciate that because if you’re not confident in what you’re attempting than why are you doing it?

I cannot stress enough how much life is, in comparison to art alone. We have to strive to be better people and want to learn how to be a better person just as we strive to want to be better artists. Art has been my life. It always will be. Art will never stop being a part of my life. When you learn to appreciate your own art and others art, the world becomes such a beautiful place because you then see art everywhere. Everything was created by someone who was willing to do the impossible, such as creating something that never existed to begin with. So fall in love with your life like you’d fall in love with art. In my personal opinion that is one of the most important things to appreciate. Music, paintings, drawings, breweries and businesses. Everything is art. So surround yourself with everything you can and appreciate it all and there is absolutely no reason you should see this world as a horrible place. It’ll be around when you’re gone and who knows, maybe your work will change someone’s life like it has mine. 

YOUR world can only change when you do something about it.