May 10, 2012. Main Street Gallery in Blowing Rock is celebrating 30 years in business during 2012. The gallery, a cooperative of local artists and craftspeople, is featuring artist Cathy Taylor this month.
She was recently award her signature status in the National Collage Society (NCS). The NCS is an art foundation formed to foster the appreciation and interest in the art medium of collage. Collages as an art form has only been identified during the 20th century. The NCS promotes the advancement of collage as a major art medium and assists in the education of the public through exhibits, workshops, lectures and publications.
An artist is granted signature status after their artwork is accepted in three of the annual national shows. Taylor’s collage titled “Enshrined” made up of upcycled circuit boards was her third juried piece. Signature artists are awarded a gold pin and the honor of signing their artwork with the initials “NCS” after their signature.
Taylor and her husband Scott moved to North Carolina from Pass-a-Grille Beach, Fla. in 2006. She quickly became involved in the art community. Taylor is a past president of the High Country Watermedia Society, a member of Brush and Palette of Caldwell County and a member of the Caldwell Arts Council.
Taylor grew up in Boulder, Colo. and graduated with a degree in Gerontology. After trying many professions — social work, advertising, real estate, restauranteur and marketing consultant — she found her calling as a mixed media artist and workshop instruction.
She began painting in 1990 as an advocation and quickly became enchanted with watercolor. She began teaching on a local basis in Sanibel Island, Fla. in 1995 and is now teaching on a national level. She has taught locally for Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff in Boone and is scheduled to teach there again in June of 2014. She has also made videos, available on Cheap Joe’s website demonstrating how to use various new media.
Taylor joined the talented artists at Main Street in 2007.
“I have really grown and thrived in the co-op setting,” said Taylor. “Everyone works together to produce wonderfully creative work in a supportive and fun environment.”
Creating artwork in water color, acrylic, collage and mixed media, Taylor enjoys experimenting, inventing and asking “what if?” This is reflected in her various styles of work currently on display at Main Street Gallery. Currently, she is working with altered papers and inks to create textural Blue Ridge Mountain scenes.
Taylor has published several articles for Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, a national mixed media publication. Her newest article, “Re think Ink” will be featured in the July/August issue.
Working with Art Academy Live, Taylor has produced two instructional DVDs.
“Teaching workshops is one my true passions,” said Taylor. “I love seeing students when they have an ‘ah ha’ moment. Plus I get to travel all over the United States, so it’s like a working vacation.”
Taylor will be teaching at Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on June 22 and 23.
Main street gallery is located at 960 Main Street, Blowing Rock. The gallery is open every day 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is staffed by the artists themselves.
For more information about Cathy Taylor, visit ctaylorart.com.
For more information about Main Street Gallery, call 828-295-7836 or visit mainstreetgallery.weebly.com.
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