Meet Taylor Schoonover of Kansas City Metro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Schoonover.

Hi Taylor , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I always loved to draw. My favorite class in elementary school was art, and I’d often find myself getting lost in what I was creating. Once I hit middle school though, that’s where I had this sort of, catalyst moment. I read my first Manga, InuYasha by Rumiko Takahashi. I was obsessed. I can remember saving my allowance every month to buy two manga’s at our town’s Barnes and Noble; sitting by the one, small section, to read new arrivals. I still have my collections from middle and high school in my home library. This eventually led me to watching the anime adaptations of my favorite graphic novels; Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Studio Ghibli films; too many to list. From there, my hobbies started to bloom into passions. On weekends, you could find me watching my favorite shows and drawing all the characters I loved so much from them. I even started to make my own comics using notebook paper and markers; binding the pages using my trusty ol’ stapler. I wanted to tell my own stories, and in High School, I began writing and working on my own characters.

There was a time when all I wanted was to become a manga artist or animator…Unfortunately, there were concerns about becoming a successful artist and having a stable income. Seeds of fear and doubt took root in me and I changed my path to studying theater; in hopes to still be involved in the arts and find something a little more stable. I laugh when I think about out of all the things I chose to pursue, I still went into something that would be uncertain, challenging and competitive. I don’t regret it though, I learned a lot about myself and about people from all strokes of life. I made lifelong friends and have skills that I use everyday with my job and my art. Of course during all this time, my art, characters and story ideas were left to the sidelines. I didn’t draw or work on things for a very long time…years…I’m sad to admit that I still believed since I couldn’t make it before, my work wasn’t worth revisiting. But about 3 years ago, one of my best friends who is a full time artist, she’s an amazing kemonomimi maker (Fur Smith), encouraged me to do my art. After some thought, therapy and massive support from my husband and family; I dove head first back into drawing. Starting with lots and lots of practice, and finding free online tutorials. Once I gained some confidence back and worked on my skills, I began to look at attending conventions, pop up fairs and anywhere I could set up my art for people to see and potentially buy. I have some very successful events, and others, not so much. But I kept working on my style, designing my booth and creating a social media presence. While I may not have a million followers, when I hit the first 100 people on Instagram, I felt unstoppable! It’s been a slow process for me since I do this in my free time outside my full time job. But compared to 3 years ago, I’m much farther along and have many more contacts in KC than when I started. Since then, I’ve done many local shows, travel to some out of state, shared my work with thousands of people, and working with other local artists on their goals and dreams. Another friend of mine recently publish her first book in her fantasy series (The Azure Crown), and I’m working on all the book cover art for her series. It’s been, and is an ongoing, adventure. I am happy that I’m in a place where I get to do what I love, and love what I do.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been fun and exciting, but there are definitely times where I put in many hours into the night to work on a piece. It can be challenging to find time to draw since I work full time during the day. The biggest struggle I encounter on the regular, is being my own worst critic. I have generally had a positive response from people when they see my work, but I always see something I could have done better. I’m guilty of Imposter Syndrome and am a perfectionist for sure. It’s hard to not compare your work to others sometimes. I see many talented, successful artists…people who I admire and think ‘their work is so amazing, I’m not on the same level.” But I just have to remind myself that my work is unique to me. My style is mine and something I constantly work at.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a self taught artist and used to always use my trusted paper and pencil to sketch my ideas. But now a days, after many tutorials and trial by error, I use a a tablet and Clip Studio software to draw. It took some time to adjust to drawing on a tablet vs paper, but I love all the flexibility it gives me and tools I can use to enhance my work. Now I say I’m a digital artist when people ask what kind of art I do.

My artist handle is Hey Curvy Pumpkin. I tend to say ‘Hey Pumpkin” to close friends and family, and a lot of my earliest works are pinup inspired, thus the “Curvy” in ‘Hey Curvy Pumpkin.’ I’m known more for my pinup work, but have been expanding to fantasy character designs, book covers and hopefully, in the near future, finish and publish my first comic.

Right now, I think I’m most proud of the book covers I designed for Elizabeth Bird and her fantasy series “The Azure Crown.” The next two book covers are what I’m currently working on, and I have a fun time making them.

I think my variety and range is what makes me stand out from others. But, I also think my ability to collaborate with others and make their vision or drawing reality is what makes me unique.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My favorite book, right now, is Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah Maas. Anything that is fantasy with action and romance, I’m a sucker for.

I’m such a creature of habit when it comes to what I turn to for feel-good comfort, I often have music from video games playing while I work on drafts or brainstorm. Music from Kingdom Hearts or League of Legends are probably the most played based on my Spotify history, but sometimes it just depends on what I’m working on.

Pricing:

• Custom Pricing for Commissions

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/heycurvypumpkin
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heycurvypumpkin/