Meet Taylor Bamgbose | Visual Artist

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

Hi Taylor, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For me, and perhaps for other creatives, starting a business was not a conscious decision; it sort of snuck up on me. I didn’t start with a “business idea,” or a business plan, or anything like that. I started with a skill and a passion.

As an artist, I knew I liked to create paintings. I started painting in the fall of 2018, and then someone I was talking to invited me to show my work. At the show, I sold 3 paintings. Then I sold a few more. Only then did it occur to me that I had effectively started a business. I was working part-time as a grant writer at the time so working for myself wasn’t top of mind.

Once I started treating my art like a business, things changed. I obviously did all the things you’re supposed to do at that point (start an LLC, get a business bank account, etc.), but I also started being more intentional about my work, which allowed me to grow it to a point where I could leave my non-profit job to focus solely on being an artist.

Considering myself as a “business owner” has been a longer journey with regard to mindset evolution. I find that I’m not alone in that respect among other artists. Running a successful art business is very different than just being a talented painter, and we all have to keep reminding ourselves to focus on foundational practices that lead to sustainability, rather than letting ourselves be swept up in solely our creative ideas or energy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Something about me that lends uniqueness and purpose to my work as an artist is that I’m also a certified life coach, and I bring those themes of mindfulness and personal growth into my paintings.

The art I create is designed to help my audience explore their inner world—the thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors that shape who they are, how they experience themselves, and how they show up in the world. Though my main subject is women, I illustrate realities that are often universal to the human experience, regardless of gender, race, or nationality. And at the same time, the specific ways we have lived these realities is also entirely unique and personal. Through my work, I hope to provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space for people to feel seen, understood, and connected to one another, and to grow in self-awareness.

Being in the coaching space has not only has made me more aware of my own inner life, but has also given me a window into our common struggles—our emotional wounds, limiting beliefs, self-sabotaging behaviors, and coping mechanisms. I’ve had the privilege to be in many vulnerable and healing environments, and I hope to bring some of this encouragement to my audience through my art.

The journey of being an artist hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been rewarding to know that I am working authentically within my nature and calling. Artists face many challenges in an industry without an obvious blueprint for success, but the quiet confidence that comes from working truthfully and purposefully out of self-expression rather than a need for validation goes a long way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, a successful business owner himself, has been a huge champion of my art journey. His encouragement helped me believe that I could make something of my passion, and he continues to push me out of my comfort zone in all the best ways. I not only value his feedback on my actual painting work, but also his strategic perspective on how to grow my business.

I’m also grateful to all the other artists I see taking risks to live a life of passion and share their gifts with the world. Art may not always seem like a safe bet for a career, but the truth is that the world needs art. Without its richness, beauty, provocation, or simple quiet noticing, our experiences in life would feel narrow and impoverished.

Website: https://www.taylorbamgbose.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorbamgbose/