Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Triano.
Taylor, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born, raised and live here in Kansas City. I graduated from KU studying textile design a million years ago, which means nothing other than I’ve always been drawn to fabric as a medium. After college, by some wild stroke of luck I got a very entry-level job at Asiatica, where I worked my way up as a high-end clothing production cutter for eight years. In my free time during those years, I made art in the form of “plush portraits” or more simply, dolls that I titled ‘lil bits’. They were something I started making in college, but over time I fine-tuned my craft and made these as commissioned fine art pieces. From time to time, though it’s not my main focus right now, I’m still asked to make these. the latest one being of Patrick Mahomes right before we won the Super bowl. I’d say a lot of people remember me from this era of my work. Anyways, that time, as bittersweet as it was, it was time to see what was next. Again, by some wild luck and the right timing, I got my first art studio in the crossroads and decided it was time to see where I could go from there….fast forward to me being asked to paint a simple fabric sign to hide a TV in a restaurant. Something about the simple project organically led to another one…and then another one and all of a sudden, I had created a “flag business”. I don’t want to get boxed into any one thing however, and as such, it has continued to evolve since then, changed and grown into more than that.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Life ain’t smooth! If I look like I know what I’m doing, it’s because I’ve been working my ass off for 15 years trying to figure it out. Without trying to age myself, when I finished school it was like being dropped off at home after years of camp with all my stuff and like… “welp.. .ok did that. now what”. I had no education on artist resources or what jobs might be available or where to even look. Especially as a person working in fabric, ESPECIALLY in Kansas city. It wasn’t set up for success. the crossroads district was bare, and artist studios were run down and pieced together. You really had to know someone to figure out where you were or what anyone was doing. Then the 2008 recession hit and I was laid off from my new job (Asiatica) in the field which was a huge blow. I was extremely lucky to eventually be hired back a year later, thank gawddd, and honestly I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for that space to land. It feels like an eight year safe, small bubble that was a bridge from one life to another. Eventually, it felt like it was time to make and I walked blindly back into the world kind of lost and figuring out who I was now and what the hell I was doing. I had to just put one foot in front of the other from there. At that time and still sometimes today, I wonder what I’m supposed to do or be in this life? The universe keeps telling me not to ignore my craft and to follow my energy. The chosen life of artists is not smooth, I don’t care what medium you practice or who you are. If it were, how boring? This is hard work, you have to wake up everyday and create your own road.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in fabric pieces as wall hangings, original art, flags, unique signage, etc. I construct each piece and then I either paint or stitched on top of the majority of my work is freelance or commissioned by people or businesses from personal gifts & neighborhood bars to hotels & office buildings. These can be as simple as a small pennant to hang from a camper or as large as a ten ft. piece to be framed and hung in an office space. Clients either come to me with full designs that they’d like for the piece or they let me run with it and design something specifically for the space. What I love about and am drawn to with fabric is the nostalgia it’s able to encapsulate. Fabric tells a story about where it’s been. The subtle wear and tear, the stains it collects, the way it was stitched, the faded colors. I love the opportunity to showcase those aspects in my work.
I pride myself in the quality of my work. I truly give a shit and I want whatever I send out in the world to be something special. I’m not interested in producing 50 of something. I’m interested in one of a kind pieces that you can’t duplicate. What I’m most proud of is that I have proved myself worthy of being here and taken seriously on a larger platform as a “fiber artist”. I have pieces in hotels, city halls, & Wrigley field and I can’t wait to see where next.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Well, it’s the only place I’ve ever called home so I love it inherently. In my time growing up here, I’ve just met so many people from so many walks of life and just like the world is small, so is KC (which can be good and bad) which has allowed me to network and connect with so many people. It’s comfortable to be here and when ya gotta get out, it’s real easy to fly anywhere in 2 hours.
I’m gonna sound like a real hater here, but as much as I love my city, I am reeeeal bored seeing every t-shirt, coffee mug, hat, jewelry, etc. saying something Kansas city related. C’mon everybody I think we get it! My other qualm is that there are not enough cool bars & restaurants here. When I travel, all I do is eat and drink so I wish we had more options back home.
Contact Info:
- Email: taylor@commonwild.com
- Website: taylortriano.com (more selective high end work) AND commonwild.com (all the flags etc)
- Instagram: commonwildflagco
Image Credits
1st photo of me in my studio working is by Andrew White
