Trent Taylor is, on the surface, a typical 21-year old college student. But dig deeper, and youll find a young man wise beyond his years.
He proved to me that he has the potential and drive at a young age to be a really good artist, said Tim Kapustka, who helped Taylor in his preparations for Taylors first commercial art show, Life Dont Stop/Random Accounts on Saturday at Inferno Boardshop.
Kapustka is a professional graphic designer and owner of Cabbage Creative. Taylor approached him late last year after a successful Phil Stern exhibit at Studio &, where Kapustka operates his business. Taylor wanted to hold a similar event, but his motive was more than professional development. He is a volunteer for Unite Our World, a nonprofit organization whose latest project is the construction of two new classrooms and a teachers salary for a school in Uganda. Hell be traveling to Africa in June to assist with construction.
Thats what this whole thing is about its more of a fundraiser than an art show, Taylor said.
But that doesnt mean its not an art show, too. In addition to Taylors work, the show will include work by Norton Furguncino, Julian Misliuc and other local young artists. Taylor, a junior art major at Fort Lewis College, still is raw in his technique, but his talent is impossible to ignore. But the otherwise intelligent and well-spoken Taylor may want to work on his artists statement.
Im not very good at explaining my art, he said. This older guy once called it nonrepresentational abstract work, but when people ask me, I say colorful.
Kapustka said he was most impressed by Taylors willingness to listen and follow the advice of those he asked.
Hes got maturity and drive, and he came in here with respect, Kapustka said. Im guarded against getting involved with a lot of young artists if I was him at that age, I wouldve done none of what he does. But with Trent, the professionalism is there. And when I saw his art, I said yes. If this kid calls me when Im at home, Ill pick up the phone.
Taylor remains nonchalant about his first public show; even though hes sharing the space with other artists, its really his coming-out party. Not that hes particularly nervous about it; hes done the legwork, and now its up to the public.
Breaking in (to the art world) is pretty easy, actually youve just got to do it, he said.
And his is just the kind of work that might lead to one of those hidden treasure stories for collectors willing to take a flier on a young artist; imagine being one of the few in a small village in Spain in 1894 who bought one of the wacky paintings by a 13-year old artist named Pablo Picasso. Crazy? Maybe, but you never know.
[email protected]
Reader Comments