Portrait Of Peterborough Artist Series Launches Showcasing 40 Local Artists
/Peterborough photo artist Mike Taylor has launched an awesome "Peterborough Artists and Artisans Portrait Project" showcasing the tremendous talent in the arts community in Kawarthas.
Jeffrey Macklin, photo by Mike Taylor
Taylor is creating a portrait of 40 select creatives (some of those are featured in this post) as they work, and is hoping to exhibit the entire collection when it's completed at a gallery show (he has four portraits remaining to shoot).
Shannon Taylor, photo by Mike Taylor
"I started this project about 10 years ago, but it was pushed to the side as life got in the way," Taylor tells PTBOCanada of the series. "This past February, I decided that I was ready to pick it up again. So I started researching the local arts community, began sending out email letters and booked my first few portraits."
Megan Ward, photo by Mike Taylor
"The first to shoot was Rob Niezen in his home studio, and the most recent was Lakefield artist Marilyn Goslin," Taylor tells PTBOCanada of his series which is nearing completion.
Rob Niezen, photo by Mike Taylor
"Most of the time, an artist I approach will accept," Taylor says of the series. "I’ve been turned down only twice. A pretty good success ratio I think."
Victoria Wallace, photo by Mike Taylor
"In most cases, the day that I shoot the artist is the first time I meet them," Taylor says. "I go in cold, not knowing what sort of person or environment I will encounter. The challenges are many [he documents some of them here]—and I revel in them all."
John Climenhage, photo by Mike Taylor
"When I moved to Peterborough in 2002, it was very apparent to me this is a very richly artistic community, Taylor tells PTBOCanada. "Being a creative myself, I saw this series as an opportunity to build a body of work that could stretch my skills, while bringing more attention to these talented people. They deserve it. The city deserves it. I’m happy to be part of such a great group of people."
Kate hyde, photo by mike taylor
Recently Taylor started an additional page on the website where he writes about how a few of the portraits were accomplished. "Readers get insight into what is involved in the process, the challenges I deal with, along with what their artist-heros are like while at work," Taylor says.
Paul Nabuurs, photo by Mike Taylor
Taylor's hope is to assemble an exhibition that holds all 40 portraits in addition to a piece of art by each artist. "The idea is that visitors who come to see their favourite artist will be exposed to potentially 39 others that they weren’t familiar with—it’s a win-win scenario," he says.
Peer Christiansen, photo by mike taylor
