Creatives Making Moves: Episode 6
Creatives Making Moves podcast spotlights passionate black women artists and creatives who are making bold moves as entrepreneurs.
May 26, 2020 by Victoria
#6: Art is the vehicle she’s driving
Toni Taylor has taken many different paths as an artist.
Her art spans mixed media wire sculptures, scenic painting, and Afro futuristic illustrations. Toni wants to touch people with her art; heal, inspire, and bring wonder. Her work travels through the visionary realms of fantasy, mysticism, and imaginative realism. She includes ‘soul’ portraits and custom murals in her repertoire and has exhibited her work in galleries, conventions, and festivals from Boston to Dallas.
With no formal training, Toni considers herself life taught. She began her career in 1985, with a cover for Heavy Metal Magazine, of which she was an avid collector. Since then, she has been commissioned as a cover Illustrator for Marvel Comics along with various book and album covers. Toni’s happily creating the life she wants as a full-time artist.
With wins, also comes challenges.
Toni has reinvented her career several times, starting over, and finding a new path. Passion for her art and determination has kept her going despite the hurdles. In this episode, Toni shares how she pushed through challenging moments to build an authentic and sustainable creative life for herself.
In this very special episode, you'll learn:
The story of the wrong phone number that turned into an hour long conversation, and led to new possibilities and new gigs.
Toni’s message to creatives on how to be authentic with yourself, and carve out time for you.
How Toni got over doubts, comparing herself to other artists, and imposter syndrome. And the mindset shift she used to be the best she can be.
Toni’s experience as a scenic painter at Disney, and her big turning point.
Links in this episode: