Life & Work with Taylor Invictus

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Invictus.

Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Taylor, the artist behind Murder Mittens ART. I am a primarily self-taught artist based in Kansas City, MO. I studied American Sign Language in college. But art has always been my most profound passion. I’ve always enjoyed sharing my artwork online. I hope to be a full-time artist and art teacher. I have been drawing since I could pick up a pencil!

I’ve practiced art my entire life (24 years now). I have practiced a wide variety of mediums, such as graphite, charcoal, chalk pastels, colored pencils, ink, marker, sculpting, printmaking, acrylic, and oil painting. However, I would consider my strongest area to be charcoal and/or ink drawings. I have also previously done pixel art and animation, but I rarely have the desire to continue with digital animation work. As I greatly enjoy many other mediums.

My role as an artist is to be the person who articulates the unknown. Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to an artist’s metaphysical value judgments. Creating something beautiful is both difficult and incredibly worthwhile. Pursuing art gives me more than a sense of meaning. Art manifests my purpose and my passion to provide something of undeniable value. My artwork is something that is constantly developing as I journey through life.

I intend to impact my spectators and customers through the storytelling experience within my art. The artwork I create is a consequence of articulating my potential. Becoming all that I can be. Telling my stories without speaking. Experiencing my passion vicariously through my work. I prevail in all that I desire. I create for my satisfaction. I put my work on display not for the world to judge but for the satisfaction of seeing my accomplishments standing on their own.

I started my website as a platform for my multidisciplinary portfolio and a shop to sell my creations. I’ve always loved drawing animals, dark themes, and horrifying creatures. I deeply enjoy doing both traditional and digital art. My favorite mediums include inks, charcoal pastels, and micro-liner pens. I am inspired by so many artists, materials, and themes. It is nearly impossible to list them all. Beautiful and horrifying artwork is vital to my existence. Gothic cathedrals and nature are cornerstones of my inspiration.

It takes a long time to develop and build things. Whether it be a building or a difficult drawing, it is more than worthwhile to take your time and better yourself creatively. Even if I only create one thread of beauty amongst an ocean of ugliness. I can establish a relationship with that beauty and expand it to the world. Expanding the brightest parts of my life for the betterment of myself and others’ experiences.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I had to learn the hard way that social media algorithms do not define my value as an artist. It took me a few years to realize and accept that I am better in person than online. I wholeheartedly learned to believe that I am good enough- and getting better all the time- instead of letting social media mentally drag me down.

It took me a few years, but eventually, I got tired of letting the number of likes I got correspond with my worth as an artist. Doing in-person art events, such as markets, helped me immensely. Experiencing how people react to my artwork right before my eyes helped me overcome this feeling of worthlessness. It is eye-opening when you show your art at galleries or markets. One of the greatest feelings is seeing a perfect stranger light up and get excited about something I have made!

Especially if they buy something to directly support you and your work, the idea that MY ART is going to be with that person forever is mind-blowing. Every time they see my work hanging on their wall, they will remember that they met the artist at that market and made a real connection with me. Art is worth so much more than money, views, or likes!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I specialize in charcoal pet portraiture. I’ve always loved drawing animals and studying them. I’ve been drawing canines for over twenty years. In recent years, I’ve started to create digital art again, and I started selling stickers of my original illustrations. I’ve collected stickers for as long as I can remember, and they will forever be special to me. I’m very excited and motivated to draw and create more sticker designs!

I have a very unique humor and style within my work. I enjoy storytelling within some of my more serious works, such as my linocuts/ block prints. I also have a huge passion for block printing. I’ve been teaching myself lino cutting for a little over a year, and I continue to love it more all the time! It seems to come easily, and I feel tremendous joy while doing even the most tedious marks!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I don’t currently have a mentor. I am slowly learning the networking game as I get myself out there. I have many upcoming events, and I plan to focus my networking in person. I enjoy meeting new people who enjoy art as much as I do.

Online networking is great but I rarely make any kind of meaningful connections through my platforms. I still feel a bit “underground” as far as my business’ visibility. I hope Voyage KC can help me with that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.murdermittensart.com/
• Instagram: @MurderMittensART
• Facebook: MurderMittensART

Image Credits
Taylor Invictus