Local Artist Paints Pueblo A New Shade of Awesome- by Molly Moreschini

    

  Muralist/graffiti artist, Matthew Taylor stands in front
 of one of his many murals in Pueblo, Co.

     

    We are always told, do what we love and love what we do. Being an artist is an amazing way to do that, living a life to create, to influence and lets be honest, to succeed. Anyone who has tried to establish a living from their art alone knows, its tough. Not only do artists need creative energy to produce an idea and execute it, but artists are constantly trying to sell themselves to be able to make a living. Local artist/muralist Matthew Taylor is quickly becoming a force that is hard to ignore. Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado (Pueblo County is home to over 160,000 people) Taylor is proving that Pueblo is rich in culture and art. Maybe a make over is just what the town needs.  "My desire for adventure and reaching full human potential is shown in my work by its scale and location", Taylor expressed. Matt traveled nationally and internationally while learning many trades of art while learning about society and communities as well. Thanks to his zealous ambition to make a statement, desire to connect with the community and change the face of Pueblo, residents are seeing more and more of his works all around town. With his larger than life personality, and artwork to match, it's apparent that a make-over is just what Pueblo needs. 
    Taylor acknowledged that its tough getting out started as an artist, but just approaching situations with confidence and putting out the appropriate creative energy will pay off. Let's be honest, we all have a tendency to use aesthetics while forming an opinion. If one drives into a neighborhood and its decaying or trashed, they might get the feeling that it is a slum neighborhood or poverty stricken. This area might be avoided in the future. That is what Taylor is preventing from happening in here in Pueblo. With bright explosive images, he's painting Pueblo a new landscape, one surface at a time. Residents as well as tourists are captivated and intrigued by the painted walls, larger than life in scale, popping up all over Pueblo.  Scaled to full size walls, reaching up to over 30' x 30', Taylor's pieces are giving the town a whole new shade of awesome.

Sangre De Cristo Art Center in Central Pueblo, one of Taylor's
 more popular pieces. It can be seen from I25 North.

Larger than life bear seen off Main St. 

 
When faced with a creative block Taylor admits, "I just start working. Even if all that comes out is scribbles, eventually ideas and concepts start to form and give me a basis to work from."  Excitement is important for him when it comes to a project, projects that are of no interest are kindly declined which shows he is genuine to himself and his creative process. Some artist can lose these qualities when becoming more commissioned.
  What is impressive about Taylor is his interest and involvement in the community. He has coordinated events like the "High Desert Mural Festive" where he brought artist from all over the nation to collaborate and create amazing murals, putting Pueblo on the map for all new reasons." I believe art bridges gaps and can be a catalyst for helping members of the community to be inspired and grow." Taylor states. "Through my art I can connect with large portions of communities then use art as a social means for myself and others." The greatest thing he hopes to do with his art is to inspire other artist to have the ability and confidence to use are to improve social environments.

Currently Taylor is working on more multi-media based arts like blogging and video. A jack of all trades, he is an amazing painter and muralist, successful in printmaking, and of course graffiti, and now can document and share with social communities the impact he is making. He expressed his plans to continue his work throughout the southwest including many towns in New Mexico all the way up through Denver. Pueblo is proud to be home to Matthew Taylor and we look forward to seeing more of his work, all over Colorado.

Matt Taylor in front of Pueblo Diversified Industries where he has the mural seen here and one inside as well.