Carol Taylor
The training I received from Fred Ross and Ted Campbell will always be the foundation of my art, but my work with clay has been the realization of my personal thoughts and ideas. I have always had a conflict with my traditional training, however, with clay I have an original voice, one that is recognized. I use clay, push it to its limits creating sculpture and bas-relief work. I love the feel of it, the textures that can be created, the way it responds. Clay being my primary medium since the late 80s has focused my experimentation on pushing the boundaries of the substance, both local clays and commercial.
Being an artist, to me, also includes participation in our arts community. Talking to students, leading workshops in schools (and in my studio) helping with project portfolios and mentoring young people in making their decision for a career in the arts. I have assisted new art teachers with a teaching booklet, “So You Have Clay,” answered questions and guided them through the use of and firing of clay. Throughout my career, I have contributed several times a year to fundraisers. I was been involved with the board of the Saint John Art Center for a year, heading the exhibition committee, finding sponsors for openings and more importantly, for the artists. I continue on the 1994 Imperial Theatre Exhibition committee.
Studying realism from, Fred Ross and Ted Campbell who studied at the Chicago Art Student League, two of Saint John’s eminent artists, enabled me to earn a living starting with the Telegraph-Journal as a graphic and layout artist, (this where I met my husband, Gerry Taylor. We have 3 children.) Next as a commercial artist at MRA’s ( a Saint John department store for ten years, drawing everything from fashions to tea kettles), work with the Campbells, Ted and Rosamond, in the NB Museum display department. I am also a court artist (30 years) for CBC, ATV, Global, Canadian Press, covering every important case in NB Law during that period. The hundreds of drawings from the Legere trial are part of the UNB Law Library collection.
Currently an effort is being made to collect and publish a book on the Taylor Courtroom Sketches: 30 Years of New Brunswick Court History featuring about 15 of the most noteworthy cases supplemented with text by three writers, one for history, one for my work and one for the media’s use of the sketches.
