E. Vern Taylor
E. Vern Taylor, at the ripe old age of 67, remembers very little about the exact time he started to paint; but, from some discarded oil paints given to him by his dearest friend’s husband, he utilized them to do his first oil painting, at the age of a 7th Grader. A native of Hampton, Virginia, his formative years were spent in Washington, D.C., where his father supervised the National Institute of Painting and Paper Hanging, over at 8th and G streets. His mother majored in Home Economics, so he can honestly say that he got his “creative edge” very honestly, along with his 4 other siblings.
The Beginning
His first oil painting stemmed from a book he read (W.H. Hudson’s “Green Mansions”). He has loved that story ever since his 7th Grade reading of it. So-much-so, that he has been developing a series of paintings based on it, which he would love to Show, at some point in the future. Vern did his first serious painting, after he graduated from the 7th Grade, an abstract piece he named “Fantasia” – a Color study of Form and Interaction.
Cover Story
Afterwards, he knew he was hooked, “lovingly and unmercifully”, and then started to spending his allowances and odd job money, off and on, on his paint supplies. In High School, he heard about, and discovered after graduating, the awesomeness of acrylic paints, which he works with, to this day, because of their fastidiousness, less toxic, and easier-to-use nature. His first “real” one-man show was done at Southern Illinois University, in a showcase in the Student Union Building, in 1972. Since that initial showing, he’s had 16 one-man showings of his art work, to date, getting ready for his 3rd with the Prairie Art Alliance, as a Juried member for almost 14 years. His latest Showing, coming up August 22nd, 2014, he’s giving the title “Beginnings”, to mark a turning point in his life, of being more prolific with his painting. He says, “…all I want to do, is to paint, and work at the things I love to do.” He knows that not a whole lot is accomplished, when one has to produce, transport, advertise, and relate publicly oneself to the discerning eye of public scrutiny. He likes to do things that he finds beautiful, in Nature, in Life, and within Humanity. So he’d just like to reach a point in his life where he might be free to do work, of his creation, and let his imagination take his Work where it might.
Current Works
He has started several Series of paintings (“or pieces”): “A Lyrical Fantasy of My Personal Africa, Kilimanjaro: the Serengeti; Along the Underground Railroad” (abbreviated: “The Kilimanjaro Series” Collection), of which also has developed into an hour-long, audio/visual presentation; “The Only Thing I See” Collection (God in Nature), is a painting study on his love of trees and nature; “Green Mansions”, on his rain forest Collection of paintings; “Dances in Time and Space”, his Abstraction Series Collection; and lastly, “Dance and the Human Body” a collection of pieces suggested by the series title.
He also hand makes 5” x 7” note cards of a lot of his paintings, upon request.
Other Interests
Because of his avid, early interest and study toward an architectural degree, his time was spent back and forth, between his design work, drafting work, and his painting. Various interludes in his life have brought forth the series of pieces in his Collections. Vern also has an avid interest and investment in a singing career which he’s gotten many accolades and compliments in both solo work, and choral participation with solo work. He has had substantial associations with The Voices of Love, Joy, and Peace; The Springfield Oratorio Choir (under the direction of Melody Turner); a 10-year run with Opera Theatre of Springfield; and, is now a member of The Capital City Men’s Chorus (under the direction of Mary E. Watts-Myers) in which he sang in their Thanksgiving concert 2013, of “Thanks for the Memories.” He has been taking Voice classes for the past 3 years, at Lincoln Land Community College (under the tutelage of Susan Hamilton, also a former member of Opera Theatre of Springfield.)
Awards
Most of his adult life has been spent under the influence of the aforementioned disciplines, having won exhibition honors for several events: On My Own Time (City-Wide) Competition, 2nd and 3rd Place Ribbons, 1994 and ’98. Honoree: “In Recognition and Appreciation for Outstanding Service and Contribution as an Artist”, W.C. Young Community Center, Paducah, Kentucky. Ribbon winner in the Illinois Department of Transportation Exhibits program (1981-83; 1987, 1989). “Duke of Paducah”, from the Paducah Women’s Guild Art Show, 1977. “Honorable Kentucky Colonel” and Danforth Society Honoree, Paducah, Kentucky, 1970. Blue Ribbon Award for his presentation of his house plan design and architectural Model, VICA State Convention, Louisville, Kentucky, 1969.
Coming Soon
He is currently working toward his upcoming showing with the Prairie Art Alliance, to take place with an Opening on August 22, 2014, at the PAA, H.D. Smith Gallery, in the Hoogland Center for the Arts, downtown Springfield, Illinois, scheduled to run through October 11, 2014.