Meet Taryn Smith | Illustrator/ Animator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taryn Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taryn, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance was very heavy on the work side for a while. I think living in a capitalistic society, we have a tendency to reject rest. It’s hard to go against those habits, but when you do good things can happen! Rest has become my friend since the pandemic started. I value being able to sit at a park, rest in the sun or go to a cafe shop and read. I am taking more breaks throughout my work day to give my mind and body a rest. Sometimes even taking off for a long weekend has been helpful. I’m still struggling with that habit but over time it all becomes second nature.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artwork is very diverse in technique and I always try to incorporate storytelling within my pieces. I like to capture little detailed moments that make people smile, happy or nostalgic.

I have been most excited recently about experimenting with different techniques and making a mess with paint! Getting to do that is really freeing and healing.

Professionally, I’m at the start of my career, though it’s been a long journey learning and developing my creative eye. After graduating college, I was fortunate to be apart of a non-profit company, and got published in a travel magazine. While trying to freelance, and do commissioned work, I quickly realized I don’t have the long term discipline it needed to do freelance. I was okay with that, and went to look
in-house and ended up at my current employment.
One of the lessons I learn along the way is that your artistic style isn’t everything. Yes, it may recognizable in a crowd and stand out, but I think more creative fulfillment comes with experimentation and creating what you love. Everything else will fall into place.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Bestie NYC Itinerary: Breakfast at Ciao Gloria’s in Brooklyn is always a good time. Head to Dumbo and see the carousel and walk the Brooklyn bridge.

Go people watching at Central Park, head over to the Comedy Cellar and catch a comedy show.

Heading over to Stonewall Inn to go hang at the bar and meet new people.

I always like grab my friends together to do something fun like go to a Batsu show in the east village or roller skating!

Take a walk through Prospect Park and grab lunch at a ramen place near by and get boba tea .

You have to grab a delicious dinner at Mono Mono and grab drinks at a near by bar. And when it’s hits midnight we grab some $1 slice of pizza.

One of the days we would have the day reserved for either the MET or MoMA.

And before they head back home a spa day at the Bathhouse is a great relaxing time.

NYC has so many things to do and see. It’s been a joy living here!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to Shoutout Kylie Ruffino. She is an awesome copywriter and creative who is always so supportive of me and my work.

Website: https://www.tarynesmith.com/

Instagram: tarynesmith48

Image Credits
Taryn Smith