Taylor Reeve is a San Diego native now living in Long Beach, California. She is just 23-years-old, but has already accomplished more than many artists do in a lifetime.
From her expanding personal ink style to her graphic canvas paintings, coveted slip-on shoe fashions, extreme sports gear designs, and new steel artistry, Taylor overlaps the tattoo industry with fashion, art, and lifestyle – all while keeping her cool, looking good, and never, under any circumstances, stopping the parTAY.
I say, she could take Kat Von D in a fist fight – after a few TAYquila shots – but no liquor is needed for this feisty SoCal artist to out-smart Hollywood starlets in the talent arena. Get to know artist, fashion designer, tattoo collector and tattoo artist: Taylor Reeve, and make sure to listen to all this Taylor Says.
Q: What are the current trends that now tie together the tattoo and art industries?
A: Tattoos are just another form of art, so of course they’re tied together. The difference I see lately is that tattoo images on clothing are now being worn by soccer moms and your average Joes … with diamonds and shit. Usually it’s those moms that give me dirty looks too, and hold their daughters close, probably saying: “Please don’t ever do that to your body.”
Q: How are tattoos represented in your artwork?
A: I like to paint girls or figures with tattoos – it’s just an extra thing for someone to look at. Usually people don’t notice them right away, either. So when they do it’s just an extra treat for someone to enjoy.
Q: How is your artwork represented in body ink?
A: I like to work with lines, so a lot of my tattoos are just line-work. I’m saving the rest of my back to incorporate a lot of my paintings into one piece that should be pretty sick. I love all of my tattoos but my favorites are the portraits of my family members I have been getting on my left arm.
People usually assume they’re my kids or they’ve passed on or something. My responses to those questions are: Hell no how old do you think I am? And, no they’re still alive … I’m just a family gal I guess. People trip on the portraits because they’re really well done and realistic looking … thanks to Mike Suarez.
Q: What other body art do you have planned?
A: I plan on finishing off my left arm and adding more to my ribcage and back. I came to the conclusion that I’m going to be heavily tatted … sorry Mom and Dad. Piercings are finished for the moment.
Q: Do you feel your tattoos have enhanced your reputation in the art and fashion communities?
A: I think my tattoos have given me an extra edge. It’s funny when people first hear about me because they assume I’m a dude (having the name Taylor apparently makes you male). Then when a tatted up blondie shows up, I think it’s a nice surprise for everyone.
Q: What opportunities have come your way via recognition of/responses to your tattoos?
A: I’ve had some pretty amazing opportunities come my way so far. I’ve hooked up with several companies that are into the tats. One in particular being Tattoed Steel. They have been using my images to laser onto their steel products, such as cuffs, dog tags, rings, etc.
I’ve gotten to work with some big names in the industry as well. I’m totally name dropping, but it’s the likings of Jesse Rooke, Brad Pitt, Ryan Sheckler, Carey Hart, Sunny Garcia, Ellen Degeneres, Troy Lee, and some more. Ok I’ll stop. Keep an eye out literally in 2009 – I have a collection coming out with Dragon Optical!
Q: Have you been denied any industry opportunities due to your tattoos?
A: Hell no. And if I was to be denied because of them, it’s their loss.
Q: As a tattoo collector, do you see yourself being more receptive to other industry figures also with tattoos, as contrasted with people without tattoos?
A: I definitely notice and appreciate ink – especially good ink. It doesn’t steer me clear from people who don’t have them. It seems everybody these days has something – it’s more of a surprise when they don’t. People who do judge should go someplace else, because this ain’t the industry for that bullshit.
Q: How do you feel about extreme piercings?
A: I don’t know how I feel about piercings to tell you the truth. Sometimes when people get a lot of piercings on their face it’s kind of distracting. I’m talking like heavy piercings, like 12 eyebrow rings or something. Me painting people a lot, I notice features and what not, and there’s some real beauty in them, so when there’s a bunch of metal hanging everywhere, it’s kind of hard to see around them. I also don’t really understand the whole ribbon/piercing deal that I’ve been seeing lately. It’s weird to me to be honest. But if that’s something someone wants to do then go right ahead, it’s just not for me.
I have my nose, Marilyn Monroe, belly button, and ears pierced. I don’t plan on getting anymore, I feel like what I have is enough for my likings.
Q: Rumor has it you’re learning to be a tattoo artist?
A: Tis true. I finally got sick of designing a tattoo for someone, to just have some tattoo artist butcher the design and make it their own. That’s when I realized: shit, instead of drawing things up for people, I should just do it all myself. I never realized what an art in itself tattooing really is. There’s so much to know it’s crazy and somewhat overwhelming.
Q: Can you give us a taste of your entertainment and fashion/art industry involvement?
A: I’m blessed to be working with some amazing people and companies such as Dragon, Redbull, Tatttoed Steel, Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, Wahoos, and Jesse Rooke.
Dragon will debut in 2009- I can’t wait it’s going to be awesome. Tattooed Steel is also amazing. Seeing my designs on products like theirs is a trip for me, I love it. Getting to rock my own gear is something else too. Jesse Rooke has opened up a whole other world for me by letting me paint on his custom motorcycles. I’ve always appreciated motorcycles and never thought I would be able to do something like that.
Last year at the X Games I painted on motocross boots belonging to Jeremy McGrath (pictured), Twitch, and Taka. They rocked them while competing and were all over ESPN. Sheckler loves the paint added to his Redbull hats as well. I’m also currently working on my own clothing line which will include tees, hoodies, and hats – should be pretty sic!
Q: So, what’s next?
A: My next step is building up TaylorSays as a brand and clothing line. Tattoos will also be a fun extra spice in my life.
Check out Taylor Reeve’s amazing art, apparel and jewelry designs, extreme sport stylings, and much more at TaylorSays.com and MySpace.com/canvasbytaylor.
Professional photos by Rich Van Every and Collin Erie
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Your art is AMAZING Taylor. Thanks for taking the time to do this interview and best of luck, though I know you won’t even need it!
August 7th, 2008 at 3:55 amTaylor, you are awesome!!
Thank you for all that you do!
August 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pm