Culture & Entertainment Notebook: Jackson native hits home run with artwork

Shortly after the St. Louis Cardinals won the 2011 World Series, Jackson native Kyle Taylor rediscovered his love for drawing that had been suppressed since his high school days.

"I drew a picture of Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, and I hadn't drawn in a while. I put it on Facebook. It got a lot of likes," Taylor said. "Then I put it on a Facebook Cardinals fan page, and it freaking exploded. People wanted to buy it. People wanted to have a copy of it."

He was surprised at how quickly it took off, so he drew some more.

Taylor said he always knew he had the skill, but in high school he thought being able to draw was "kind of lame" and feared humiliation from his peers for "being artistic."

In college, Taylor said he majored in fine art until he switched majors to public relations. He enjoyed the artistic experience, but "kind of got burned out doing it every single day, all day." He didn't want to become exhausted with what he loved to do.

It started as drawings, Taylor said, and he never really challenged himself to get into paintings until this year.

He wasn't sure if the talent would transfer, Taylor said, and was unsure if he would be as good with paint. He believes he has hit his stride with the brush. He enjoys dabbling in color.

"You put your stuff on Facebook, you kind of put yourself out to the wolves," Taylor said. "So, if you paint Tiger Woods and it doesn't look like Tiger Woods, people won't be afraid to put it in the comment section."

Since Taylor transitioned from drawings to paintings, he said people are increasingly asking him to "draw their dogs, or grandmother who had recently passed away, or something of their kids for Christmas."

Aside from that, his main focus is on athletes.

Taylor has met several of the athletes he's drawn or painted, and said it's "like the pinnacle of what you're doing."

"It's one thing to walk up to a guy and have him sign a baseball. It's another thing to have him sign something you put hours and hours of work in," Taylor said. "And I can see how it'd be uncomfortable for somebody to sign a picture you painted of them. But sometimes they'll look and me, and be like, 'that's awesome.'"

He's "never really" had a bad experience with anybody he's done a portrait of, but he has embarrassed a few who couldn't believe "somebody would spend that much time painting of picture of them."

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter was the "coolest by far" to meet, Taylor said. He's also met St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong a few times and said, "He's absolutely great" and "super friendly."

He had the pleasure of meeting Chris Carpenter with a painting that included the pitcher's favorite Bible verse.

Taylor also met former All-Star outfielder and TV analyst Jim Edmonds, who invited Taylor to appear on his radio show.

"I got to meet him, talk to him for a little bit and he signed a few autographs," Taylor said. "I was able to actually give him the original drawing I did of him."

He said Edmonds was the only athlete he has given his artwork too.

Taylor said most of the athletes honestly don't want the piece themselves because they'd rather see it benefit somebody else through a not-for-profit or charity. Taylor also said throughout the year he donates his artwork to certain charities and organizations within the community, such as Strike Out Cancer, formed by former closer Jason Mott's foundation.

Business seems to be shifting into high gear for Taylor; with "a big order" he's filling.

He's working on 10 paintings for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Southeast Missouri to help raise funds.

Art is a part-time career for Taylor, but he "would love for it to be my full-time gig." He works for Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying Inc., but said when he gets off work, he turns on a Cardinal game, grabs a brush and "goes to town."

Taylor said he "thoroughly enjoys it" because it's a relaxing experience.

He said he's not quite sure of the future plans for Kyle Taylor Portraits, because "you're kind of limited just based on where we are geographically." He said if the Rams were still in town, he would "do a lot more football." Taylor also hopes to do more with hockey as well.

"Growing up, being a baseball fan and being around Cardinals my whole life, I guess I have a built-in bias toward baseball," Taylor said. "But as a business, you have to realize your tastes aren't necessarily everybody else's tastes."

Taylor just finished a 36-inch by 48-inch painting of NBA All-Star LeBron James.

He said he wants to continue to a build a reputation within Southeast Missouri and grow connections, but hopes one day his artwork could be seen as synonymous with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Taylor can be reached at his Facebook fan page "Kyle Taylor Portraits."

jhartwig@semissourian.com

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