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Featured Guest:
R.G Taylor Artist & Author in Residence, The Peach West Palm Beach Author, Spike and the Holiday Parade Published Date: April 4, 2026 Join Wisdom for Wannabes for an inspiring conversation with multidisciplinary artist R.G. Taylor as he shares his journey from Chicago roots to South Florida's vibrant art scene. Discover how he integrates storytelling, visual art, and community impact, and learn about upcoming events at The Peach that celebrate local artists and foster community engagement. Listen to/watch the full podcast recording, or read the transcript below: |
Full Interview with R.G. Taylor:
"I had to write that. It was blocking my flow. I allow my creative process to kick in. I'm going to learn stuff and learn some more. Then you evolve. You improve. Things start to flow really well. It's important to just do it and take away those barriers and say, 'I'm an artist, I create.'"
- R.G. Taylor (Wisdom for Wannabes episode 49, 47:35)
Great quotes from the interview:
(More great quotes throughout the transcript in blue below.)
- "I didn’t stop being an artist—I just stopped making time for it. And the moment I came back, it was still there waiting for me.”
- “Perfection will trap you if you let it. At some point, you have to decide—it’s done, and it deserves to live outside of you.”
- “Everything I’ve done—even the things that made no sense at the time—found their way back into my work.”
- “Community isn’t just support—it’s the space where your creativity actually grows legs and walks.”
- “You don’t need permission to begin. You just need the willingness to start before you feel ready."
(More great quotes throughout the transcript in blue below.)
R.G. Taylor
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Key Takeaways:
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Interview Transcript:
Jackie Morreale (00:00)
Hello and welcome to Wisdom for Wannabes, the podcast that seeks to discover wise words in business, beauty, and betterment. I am the host, Jackie Morreale. Today's topic is beauty by way of fine art and books. Today's guest is a true example of what it means to build a creative life without limits.
From Chicago roots to the vibrant art scene of South Florida, R.G. Taylor is a multidisciplinary artist, children's book author, and creative entrepreneur whose work blends storytelling, visual art, and community impact. R.G. is also the artist and author in residence at The Peach, West Palm Beach, which is a space that's redefining what it means to bring creatives together.
Beyond creating art, he's helping cultivate the next generation, inspiring future artists, authors, and illustrators, and art historians alike. To mention a few of the exciting things that are happening here with R.G. Taylor and the Peach, we have the Peach's Art Walk and Book Signing event on Saturday, April 4th, and the Docent Training Program in collaboration with the Norton Museum of Art on Friday, April 10th. Not only are we gaining wisdom today from R.G. Taylor, but local artists, authors, and art lovers alike are also getting an invitation.
One more time, R.G. Taylor, welcome to Wisdom for Wannabes! I'm so excited to have you here today. Thank you so much for everything you do.
R.G. Taylor (01:34)
Jackie, it's a pleasure, and thank you for having me here to be on your podcast. It's exciting and a thrill. Thank you so much.
Jackie Morreale (01:39)
So excited. Let's go back to the very beginning. I know that others describe you as a multidisciplinary artist. When or where did that all start for you?
R.G. Taylor (01:52)
For me, it started probably years ago, and then recently. I have always been doing artistic things and doing art in different ways and different expressions. It was maybe a year ago when I was given the term ‘multidisciplinary’. I thought, ‘That kind of works,’ because I write, I paint, I create in different ways.
So 'multidisciplinary'. I try to avoid labels, but I'm like, ‘That one suits me.’ I'm going to accept it and take it on.
Jackie Morreale (02:19)
It's almost like a triple threat. You have so many different things going on. I love that being an artist lets you capture all these different talents that you have and bring them all together in this creative way.
R.G. Taylor (02:29)
Me too. It's never something that I thought of. I thought: I need to do this. I want to do that. I didn't ever put a limit on myself to say; I can't do ‘that’ because I'm a ‘this’. I can't write because I'm a painter. I can't paint because I'm a writer, or what have you.
I just... went for it all and do all that is within my soul to express. That's how it comes about.
Jackie Morreale (02:49)
Good for you. This is just something that's you that's always been there.
R.G. Taylor (02:53)
Exactly. I've always wanted to create in different ways. I'll say something too: There were seasons when I didn't create. I think as an artist, there are times when your output isn't as great because other things are happening, but you're still an artist. Even if you're not taking all those creative things or doing as many as you want, you're still an artist.
I say that to the other parents or the other people that are out there, saying, ‘I'm maybe not an artist because I'm not creating or something.’ I think you're an artist always. It's just that at certain times you may not be as productive. I was a soccer coach for my kids, and I was the band dad. There were times I wasn't creating because I was living my life, and those were choices that I wanted. I think that's just important to know that I was still an artist.
I was also living my life and doing things. That's important to always know that it's not 'either or'; it's 'and'. I'm an artist, and I live my life and do these other things.
Jackie Morreale (03:50)
I just felt something. I think we all have ebbs and flows. There are some periods where you're just prolific, and you can really dive deep into that well of artistry, but there are other times, like you mentioned, where you're the chorus mom or you're the soccer dad, and you're filling your cup with other things that maybe will inspire you at another time. That's who you are on the inside.
R.G. Taylor (03:58)
Yeah, I think we paint ourselves into a corner, and we really shouldn't. We are living this life, we are on this journey, and we are moving forward. It's all part of it. You have to embrace it all. Don't put yourself under. I didn't do this; I didn't create it; I didn't do this today because I was bringing the orange slices for soccer practice.
You have to recognize what's important in life, and maybe you'll paint orange slices on the future canvas. Nothing is wasted.
Don't look at it as, 'Oh man, I'm not doing X, Y, Z, because I'm doing L M N O P instead.'
Don't categorize that way. Be in the moment of what you're doing and it's still there.
You're always an artist.
You are doing other things right now, which are as important, if not more important, honestly, than some of the things. We have to give ourselves the grace to know and recognize what's important.
It's all important. It's just different timing.
Jackie Morreale (04:55)
It's such an amazing thing for you. We're here to talk about art and all the amazing things that you're doing in your local community in West Palm Beach and South Florida. And really, it's a philosophical conversation, right off the bat, that you are just an artist to the core on the inside, whether you're actively putting paint on canvas or not. I know you grew up in Chicago, and now we're both here in South Florida.
How did growing up in Chicago versus living here in West Palm Beach shape your creative lens? Or did it shape your creative lens?
R.G. Taylor (05:25)
It absolutely did. When I was little, every February, my family would leave the 'graige' - beige and gray - of Chicago to come to Florida for a week's vacation, to visit my grandparents who lived here. When I was little, eight years old, I guess, those times, you would get off the plane and walk on the tarmac into the airport. They didn't have those extenders that came out.
I remember leaving Chicago, blistering cold, freezing below zero, snow, and gray. Then getting off the plane in Florida, and like feeling that humidity hits you and the heat hits you. Then seeing green palm trees and bright colored flowers and just all this color.
As a kid, I was just amazed.
In my mind, I thought the whole world was like Chicago, until I got off the plane and realized there are other places with this beauty. I couldn't even articulate it. I was just in awe of like, 'We could live here?' I'm like, 'Why don't we live here now?'
As a little kid, I made a vow that someday, I am going to live in Florida. I vowed that I'm going to move here and live here because I just couldn't believe it. All the colors and my grandparents, their condo was very 'Floridian', in the seventies, if you can imagine that.
All these colors, and it was just so different than what I saw and experienced in Chicago.
I'm heavily influenced by coming from Chicago to Florida.
As an artist, I can look back and I'm actually inspired to do a piece around the 'graige' of Chicago vibes. Some of my work, like Miami vibes and Key West vibes, but I'm inspired to visit the beauty of the 'graige' that is Chicago and that brick red kind of colors.
Having done this interview, I've been inspired for another piece.
Jackie Morreale (07:10)
You've inspired me so much. If I can give you that little tiny bit of inspiration to go back to the 'graige' of Chicago with a different lens, I'm very happy with that. I know that your parents both had an incredible artistic influence on you. I know we've spoken about your dad in particular, who is an artist, practicing artist, and artist to the core as well.
When did you realize that this wasn't just exposure this was actually your path, that art was meant for you?
R.G. Taylor (07:39)
With art, it became a path for me. It was on and off. I worked a regular, as they say, nine to five. I did that for many years. Yet throughout that time, making choices, I was still creating in different ways, even though my particular job didn't lend me to do that.
I still found ways at times even in the job; with video presentations and things to still be creative in these multi-billion dollar companies, and all.
Not even consciously aware that I'm creating.
I just did what I did, and it was appreciated.
I think art was and is a choice. It is always a choice.
Sometimes you get to make that choice daily, and it becomes a career, and sometimes you have to choose it hourly, or you don't get to choose it that week because other choices are superseding that.
Later in my life, being an empty nester or semi-empty nester, I started writing Spike and the Holiday Parade because I was inspired to do that, and my kids were encouraging me to do that.
I just started to go that path, then painting, and here we are.
Jackie Morreale (08:41)
Maybe it was your book, but was there a moment where you chose art or where art chose you, if you could nail it down?
R.G. Taylor (08:48)
I chose art, and I continue to choose art. That is something that I think is very conscious to do. When you create, you're choosing to create. When you don't create, you have to choose not to create.
I've made a lot of choices to choose art in my life and to continue to pursue it and to do it.
From my experience, it didn't find me. I just kept choosing it, and kept choosing it, being an artist and grounded as an artist. Then I'm able to expand and say, I want to, as an artist, try XYZ or ABC, but it doesn't change me as an artist. I am still the artist that I am. I'm just trying something new and different.
Jackie Morreale (09:26)
I want to talk about your book. I want to talk about The Peach. I want to talk about your pieces, all the different multifaceted styles of art that you are expressing yourself through. Before we do that, let's do some quick-fire questions. Ready for this?
R.G. Taylor (09:40)
Okay, alright, deep breath. There we go. Alright, alright, I'm ready. Okay.
Jackie Morreale (09:46)
Whatever's off the top of your head. OK. Let's start with something easy. Art or storytelling?
R.G. Taylor (09:48)
Yes to art. Yes to storytelling. Yes, they're both.
Jackie Morreale (09:51)
‘Yes’. Well done. Both. Abstract or photorealistic?
R.G. Taylor (09:58)
I've got to go abstract on that one.
Photo realistic... we have photos that can mimic and be perfect.
Abstract... you can't photo abstract. You can take a picture of an abstract, but you can't replicate... the cameras can't make an abstract. That's why I think abstract is far more original than something that's photo-realistic.
I know I'll have some people who are probably going to be upset about that. Send all those comments to Jackie, okay? Not to me.
Jackie Morreale (10:19)
Lol. Photography is so beautiful, but yes, there's something about abstract concepts, drawn, painted, that can't be captured with a lens or would have to be very differently captured as a photo.
R.G. Taylor (10:23)
I recognize the artistry, and I've seen phenomenal photographs that are moving and tremendous. I'm just saying my preference will be the abstract.
Jackie Morreale (10:37)
Exactly. Looking at your piece behind you that I know is called Audacity. It's abstract art; it's beautiful, and it gives me movement and inspiration to be audacious. I get that choice. It could have been a ‘yes’, but I like that you stuck with the abstract because it suits you.
Chicago or Florida?
R.G. Taylor (10:48)
Thank you. I'm going to Florida because of the colors, the sunshine, and being able to be outside in all seasons. I love it here.
Jackie Morreale (11:13)
I'm from up north as well. The colors are just different. It's a different color palette. Is there a most inspiring place in the world for you?
R.G. Taylor (11:17)
For sure. A lot of my early inspiration came as a child when we would take field trips to the Art Institute of Chicago. I would go there as a kid and I would see the different pieces, amazed by the Georges Seurat, the painting of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884–1885).
It was pointillism. He took little dots, and he created the pieces. As a kid, I saw it from afar, and then I got up close, and I realized that it was all the dots. When the dots were far away, they combined by our eyes to create the colors.
I was like, that's genius to do this, to think that you had to put the blue dot with this dot to create this color and to do all that.
Then step away and see how my mind just tricked me into seeing these colors.
That inspired me a lot and still does.
I would have to say multiple museums like the Louvre, the Art Institute, the Norton, different ones have been inspiring for sure.
Jackie Morreale (12:15)
Then the next question is, is it about perfection or getting it done?
R.G. Taylor (12:19)
I'll say 'yes' again with the caveat that at some point in your perfectionism, you have to call it. You have to say it's done. The gallery needs it. It needs to go on the wall. Something happens, and you just have to live with it and say it's done. I can get into my head too much and try to overdo things.
I'm excited about my next series right now because I'm holding back in my current work right now.
Talk about transitions. Some of my earlier work is like this, but some of my newer work now, I am holding back and restraining myself from going full on R.G., if you will. I am being restrained in it, and I'm loving to be able to simplify, if you will.
I'm going to say yes, and that's my caveat.
Jackie Morreale (13:03)
Do you create alone or collaborate?
R.G. Taylor (13:06)
Again, that's another ‘yes’. I love to work alone, and there are times when I do that, I'm actually excited about collaborating with several of my colleagues at The Peach. They've provided me with several of their works, and they want me to put the R.G. to it. I'm excited to collaborate like that.
I think collaborations are very important. It helps with relationship building, which I'm very much a part of and love to do. But there are times when I'm in my own thoughts and do my own thing, for sure.
(Continued below)
Hello and welcome to Wisdom for Wannabes, the podcast that seeks to discover wise words in business, beauty, and betterment. I am the host, Jackie Morreale. Today's topic is beauty by way of fine art and books. Today's guest is a true example of what it means to build a creative life without limits.
From Chicago roots to the vibrant art scene of South Florida, R.G. Taylor is a multidisciplinary artist, children's book author, and creative entrepreneur whose work blends storytelling, visual art, and community impact. R.G. is also the artist and author in residence at The Peach, West Palm Beach, which is a space that's redefining what it means to bring creatives together.
Beyond creating art, he's helping cultivate the next generation, inspiring future artists, authors, and illustrators, and art historians alike. To mention a few of the exciting things that are happening here with R.G. Taylor and the Peach, we have the Peach's Art Walk and Book Signing event on Saturday, April 4th, and the Docent Training Program in collaboration with the Norton Museum of Art on Friday, April 10th. Not only are we gaining wisdom today from R.G. Taylor, but local artists, authors, and art lovers alike are also getting an invitation.
One more time, R.G. Taylor, welcome to Wisdom for Wannabes! I'm so excited to have you here today. Thank you so much for everything you do.
R.G. Taylor (01:34)
Jackie, it's a pleasure, and thank you for having me here to be on your podcast. It's exciting and a thrill. Thank you so much.
Jackie Morreale (01:39)
So excited. Let's go back to the very beginning. I know that others describe you as a multidisciplinary artist. When or where did that all start for you?
R.G. Taylor (01:52)
For me, it started probably years ago, and then recently. I have always been doing artistic things and doing art in different ways and different expressions. It was maybe a year ago when I was given the term ‘multidisciplinary’. I thought, ‘That kind of works,’ because I write, I paint, I create in different ways.
So 'multidisciplinary'. I try to avoid labels, but I'm like, ‘That one suits me.’ I'm going to accept it and take it on.
Jackie Morreale (02:19)
It's almost like a triple threat. You have so many different things going on. I love that being an artist lets you capture all these different talents that you have and bring them all together in this creative way.
R.G. Taylor (02:29)
Me too. It's never something that I thought of. I thought: I need to do this. I want to do that. I didn't ever put a limit on myself to say; I can't do ‘that’ because I'm a ‘this’. I can't write because I'm a painter. I can't paint because I'm a writer, or what have you.
I just... went for it all and do all that is within my soul to express. That's how it comes about.
Jackie Morreale (02:49)
Good for you. This is just something that's you that's always been there.
R.G. Taylor (02:53)
Exactly. I've always wanted to create in different ways. I'll say something too: There were seasons when I didn't create. I think as an artist, there are times when your output isn't as great because other things are happening, but you're still an artist. Even if you're not taking all those creative things or doing as many as you want, you're still an artist.
I say that to the other parents or the other people that are out there, saying, ‘I'm maybe not an artist because I'm not creating or something.’ I think you're an artist always. It's just that at certain times you may not be as productive. I was a soccer coach for my kids, and I was the band dad. There were times I wasn't creating because I was living my life, and those were choices that I wanted. I think that's just important to know that I was still an artist.
I was also living my life and doing things. That's important to always know that it's not 'either or'; it's 'and'. I'm an artist, and I live my life and do these other things.
Jackie Morreale (03:50)
I just felt something. I think we all have ebbs and flows. There are some periods where you're just prolific, and you can really dive deep into that well of artistry, but there are other times, like you mentioned, where you're the chorus mom or you're the soccer dad, and you're filling your cup with other things that maybe will inspire you at another time. That's who you are on the inside.
R.G. Taylor (03:58)
Yeah, I think we paint ourselves into a corner, and we really shouldn't. We are living this life, we are on this journey, and we are moving forward. It's all part of it. You have to embrace it all. Don't put yourself under. I didn't do this; I didn't create it; I didn't do this today because I was bringing the orange slices for soccer practice.
You have to recognize what's important in life, and maybe you'll paint orange slices on the future canvas. Nothing is wasted.
Don't look at it as, 'Oh man, I'm not doing X, Y, Z, because I'm doing L M N O P instead.'
Don't categorize that way. Be in the moment of what you're doing and it's still there.
You're always an artist.
You are doing other things right now, which are as important, if not more important, honestly, than some of the things. We have to give ourselves the grace to know and recognize what's important.
It's all important. It's just different timing.
Jackie Morreale (04:55)
It's such an amazing thing for you. We're here to talk about art and all the amazing things that you're doing in your local community in West Palm Beach and South Florida. And really, it's a philosophical conversation, right off the bat, that you are just an artist to the core on the inside, whether you're actively putting paint on canvas or not. I know you grew up in Chicago, and now we're both here in South Florida.
How did growing up in Chicago versus living here in West Palm Beach shape your creative lens? Or did it shape your creative lens?
R.G. Taylor (05:25)
It absolutely did. When I was little, every February, my family would leave the 'graige' - beige and gray - of Chicago to come to Florida for a week's vacation, to visit my grandparents who lived here. When I was little, eight years old, I guess, those times, you would get off the plane and walk on the tarmac into the airport. They didn't have those extenders that came out.
I remember leaving Chicago, blistering cold, freezing below zero, snow, and gray. Then getting off the plane in Florida, and like feeling that humidity hits you and the heat hits you. Then seeing green palm trees and bright colored flowers and just all this color.
As a kid, I was just amazed.
In my mind, I thought the whole world was like Chicago, until I got off the plane and realized there are other places with this beauty. I couldn't even articulate it. I was just in awe of like, 'We could live here?' I'm like, 'Why don't we live here now?'
As a little kid, I made a vow that someday, I am going to live in Florida. I vowed that I'm going to move here and live here because I just couldn't believe it. All the colors and my grandparents, their condo was very 'Floridian', in the seventies, if you can imagine that.
All these colors, and it was just so different than what I saw and experienced in Chicago.
I'm heavily influenced by coming from Chicago to Florida.
As an artist, I can look back and I'm actually inspired to do a piece around the 'graige' of Chicago vibes. Some of my work, like Miami vibes and Key West vibes, but I'm inspired to visit the beauty of the 'graige' that is Chicago and that brick red kind of colors.
Having done this interview, I've been inspired for another piece.
Jackie Morreale (07:10)
You've inspired me so much. If I can give you that little tiny bit of inspiration to go back to the 'graige' of Chicago with a different lens, I'm very happy with that. I know that your parents both had an incredible artistic influence on you. I know we've spoken about your dad in particular, who is an artist, practicing artist, and artist to the core as well.
When did you realize that this wasn't just exposure this was actually your path, that art was meant for you?
R.G. Taylor (07:39)
With art, it became a path for me. It was on and off. I worked a regular, as they say, nine to five. I did that for many years. Yet throughout that time, making choices, I was still creating in different ways, even though my particular job didn't lend me to do that.
I still found ways at times even in the job; with video presentations and things to still be creative in these multi-billion dollar companies, and all.
Not even consciously aware that I'm creating.
I just did what I did, and it was appreciated.
I think art was and is a choice. It is always a choice.
Sometimes you get to make that choice daily, and it becomes a career, and sometimes you have to choose it hourly, or you don't get to choose it that week because other choices are superseding that.
Later in my life, being an empty nester or semi-empty nester, I started writing Spike and the Holiday Parade because I was inspired to do that, and my kids were encouraging me to do that.
I just started to go that path, then painting, and here we are.
Jackie Morreale (08:41)
Maybe it was your book, but was there a moment where you chose art or where art chose you, if you could nail it down?
R.G. Taylor (08:48)
I chose art, and I continue to choose art. That is something that I think is very conscious to do. When you create, you're choosing to create. When you don't create, you have to choose not to create.
I've made a lot of choices to choose art in my life and to continue to pursue it and to do it.
From my experience, it didn't find me. I just kept choosing it, and kept choosing it, being an artist and grounded as an artist. Then I'm able to expand and say, I want to, as an artist, try XYZ or ABC, but it doesn't change me as an artist. I am still the artist that I am. I'm just trying something new and different.
Jackie Morreale (09:26)
I want to talk about your book. I want to talk about The Peach. I want to talk about your pieces, all the different multifaceted styles of art that you are expressing yourself through. Before we do that, let's do some quick-fire questions. Ready for this?
R.G. Taylor (09:40)
Okay, alright, deep breath. There we go. Alright, alright, I'm ready. Okay.
Jackie Morreale (09:46)
Whatever's off the top of your head. OK. Let's start with something easy. Art or storytelling?
R.G. Taylor (09:48)
Yes to art. Yes to storytelling. Yes, they're both.
Jackie Morreale (09:51)
‘Yes’. Well done. Both. Abstract or photorealistic?
R.G. Taylor (09:58)
I've got to go abstract on that one.
Photo realistic... we have photos that can mimic and be perfect.
Abstract... you can't photo abstract. You can take a picture of an abstract, but you can't replicate... the cameras can't make an abstract. That's why I think abstract is far more original than something that's photo-realistic.
I know I'll have some people who are probably going to be upset about that. Send all those comments to Jackie, okay? Not to me.
Jackie Morreale (10:19)
Lol. Photography is so beautiful, but yes, there's something about abstract concepts, drawn, painted, that can't be captured with a lens or would have to be very differently captured as a photo.
R.G. Taylor (10:23)
I recognize the artistry, and I've seen phenomenal photographs that are moving and tremendous. I'm just saying my preference will be the abstract.
Jackie Morreale (10:37)
Exactly. Looking at your piece behind you that I know is called Audacity. It's abstract art; it's beautiful, and it gives me movement and inspiration to be audacious. I get that choice. It could have been a ‘yes’, but I like that you stuck with the abstract because it suits you.
Chicago or Florida?
R.G. Taylor (10:48)
Thank you. I'm going to Florida because of the colors, the sunshine, and being able to be outside in all seasons. I love it here.
Jackie Morreale (11:13)
I'm from up north as well. The colors are just different. It's a different color palette. Is there a most inspiring place in the world for you?
R.G. Taylor (11:17)
For sure. A lot of my early inspiration came as a child when we would take field trips to the Art Institute of Chicago. I would go there as a kid and I would see the different pieces, amazed by the Georges Seurat, the painting of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884–1885).
It was pointillism. He took little dots, and he created the pieces. As a kid, I saw it from afar, and then I got up close, and I realized that it was all the dots. When the dots were far away, they combined by our eyes to create the colors.
I was like, that's genius to do this, to think that you had to put the blue dot with this dot to create this color and to do all that.
Then step away and see how my mind just tricked me into seeing these colors.
That inspired me a lot and still does.
I would have to say multiple museums like the Louvre, the Art Institute, the Norton, different ones have been inspiring for sure.
Jackie Morreale (12:15)
Then the next question is, is it about perfection or getting it done?
R.G. Taylor (12:19)
I'll say 'yes' again with the caveat that at some point in your perfectionism, you have to call it. You have to say it's done. The gallery needs it. It needs to go on the wall. Something happens, and you just have to live with it and say it's done. I can get into my head too much and try to overdo things.
I'm excited about my next series right now because I'm holding back in my current work right now.
Talk about transitions. Some of my earlier work is like this, but some of my newer work now, I am holding back and restraining myself from going full on R.G., if you will. I am being restrained in it, and I'm loving to be able to simplify, if you will.
I'm going to say yes, and that's my caveat.
Jackie Morreale (13:03)
Do you create alone or collaborate?
R.G. Taylor (13:06)
Again, that's another ‘yes’. I love to work alone, and there are times when I do that, I'm actually excited about collaborating with several of my colleagues at The Peach. They've provided me with several of their works, and they want me to put the R.G. to it. I'm excited to collaborate like that.
I think collaborations are very important. It helps with relationship building, which I'm very much a part of and love to do. But there are times when I'm in my own thoughts and do my own thing, for sure.
(Continued below)
Artwork by R.G. Taylor:
R.G. Taylor. AUDACITY. Acrylic on Canvas.
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R.G. Taylor. Key West Vibes. Acrylic on Canvas.
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R.G. Taylor. No. 11 Orange Blue and Yellow. Acrylic on Canvas.
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R.G. Taylor. Soldier's Faces. Acrylic on Canvas.
|
(Continued)
Jackie Morreale (13:34)
That's another ‘yes’. Let's take it to your favorites. This might also make people mad.
Favorite place to eat in West Palm Beach? We have a lot of places.
R.G. Taylor (13:35)
Well, we have a lot of really great places. I have to say El Segundo, it's elevated Mexican food, which I love. Their chips are outstanding. There are several others, but if I'm going to get a good bite, a good meal, and good service, it's El Segundo.
It happens to be at Peach. Even if wasn't at the Peach, it's still one of my favorite all-time places to go.
Jackie Morreale (14:01)
Everybody at El Segundo, thank you for being amazing. Favorite book?
R.G. Taylor (14:05)
Of course, I would say my favorite book is my book, lol.
My favorite book honestly was Atlas Shrugged. That was my favorite book. I just loved the concepts and the ideas and the owning yourself and being in charge of your life. I still reference that from time to time in my life and just recognizing the importance of creating.
In the book, it's your own metal. In my life, it's my own art, my own voice, my own direction.
Jackie Morreale (14:28)
Favorite artist? This one can also be you if you'd like.
R.G. Taylor (14:32)
My highest inspiration has been Jackson Pollock. When I look at how he's crafted his works and I, gratefully get compared to him, which is a huge honor. Yet I know that I do different things than him. That makes me be me in what I do. But I would say Jackson Pollock.
Jackie Morreale (14:47)
I'm sure you've seen the Jackson Pollock movie, and the process. I look forward to the R.G. Taylor movie one day, where I can understand your process and the intricacies of it, and some of the crazy behind it, because all artists do have a little bit of that as well.
R.G. Taylor (14:53)
Hello! Make that happen! For sure.
Jackie Morreale (15:04)
Let's make it! Why not?
Favorite musician?
R.G. Taylor (15:05)
U2. I know it's not a musician, but a band... it's U2.
Jackie Morreale (15:08)
Timeless, good answer. Favorite author?
R.G. Taylor (15:11)
I'm just reading again, The Lottery, the short story, it's by Shirley Jackson.
That short story is an indictment against tradition. I don't know if you've ever had a chance to read it, but you should; anybody should. It's just tremendous. I love short stories because the author has to be challenged to do so much in a short amount of time.
She does it, and she's one of the reasons why, when I write, I just appreciate how she was so good with the language to be able to create the scenery and everything in such a short amount of time.
I've tried to honestly emulate that in my own writing. Today, it would be Shirley Jackson.
Jackie Morreale (15:49)
I have to pick it back up because it's fun when you read things from back in the day, and then you have a totally different lens. Even 75 years later, it can still really ring true and be relevant.
Favorite quote for life or mantra?
R.G. Taylor (16:03)
'If it is to be, it is up to me.'
Took a while to learn that, but I learned it, and then I can caveat and say with a team and with others to help and collaborate. But if it is to be, it is up to me to make that first stop, to have the audacity to think that something is going to happen. Whatever that is, fill in the blank. If it's going to happen, I will be the one who will have to initiate it.
Get it going and then let it gain its traction and wheels or legs, and start taking off and move on with it.
Jackie Morreale (16:35)
'If it is to be, it is up to me.' You have to be your own hero, right? Nobody's coming.
R.G. Taylor (16:39)
Exactly. You have to do it. You have to make it happen. I recognize that I can't make it happen on my own. I can't do it by myself. Yet I recognize, too, and I'm maybe wise enough finally to know that if there's any idea that this brain comes up with, I will have to start it and then bring in and recruit and network or what have you to kind of help it all come together.
Jackie Morreale (17:01)
Takes a village. Absolutely. But that spark, if you get it, if you have that, you have to do it. Run with it.
R.G. Taylor (17:05)
You run with it, you go for it. Yeah, you have to.
It was given to you.
You've got this concept, this idea. You just do it.
Sometimes I just write.
If you want a little bit of sneak into the process.
For the movie that we talked about in the future, they'll use this clip.
Jackie Morreale (17:11)
I feel the fire. I can't wait to see what you do next. There's just so much there.
R.G. Taylor (17:24)
I have to just write things that I know I'm never going to use, or I have to paint stuff that I'm not ever going to use, to unclog it all and let it get it out so that the flow and 'the good stuff' I call it starts to come through and you're able to then get to where you want to be.
I'll write paragraphs that I know have no use, but they're there, and I can't get rid of them.
So, I just write it, and it gets it out.
Then it's like, the clogged river is done, and I can begin with the flow of ideas and concepts and start again.
That's just part of my creative process.
Some of the artists I'm collaborating with, their work is hanging in my house right now so I can see it. I get ideas about how I want to interpret it for myself there. It's hanging in my house, but I'm not ready yet to put the paint on it, but I am looking at it and studying it and trying to figure out what it wants to be.
Jackie Morreale (18:14)
Let's switch gears and talk about your book, called Spike and the Holiday Parade. It is a children's book inspired by stories that you told to your own children. How did those moments turn into something bigger with this book?
R.G. Taylor (18:27)
When my kids were little, I would tell them stories. Whatever the day's events were, I would interject them and then introduce crazy characters like elephants and such into the story.
They would laugh. Sometimes I would ask them to leave the story on a cliffhanger and they'd have to tell me how it ended in the morning.
That was honestly a parental hack.
They wouldn't get up and want a glass of water, they'd be in and have to figure out the end of the story, and they would fall asleep. There's a useful hack, parents, to tell your kids the story and then just make them think about the ending, and then they fall asleep.
More out of sanity than maybe out of creativity that came about.
Jackie Morreale (18:51)
Think about it, even with ourselves, so many times you have this 'creative cliffhanger,' whether it's what's your next stroke or what's your next page or word.
We all need to have a night to sleep on it, think about it, dream about it, and kind of connect the dots and see what we come up with from there. How great is it that you can continue it with your kids and use that collaborative process to problem-solve creatively together?
R.G. Taylor (19:26)
It was a lot of fun. Fast forward years later, I was thinking about doing a book.
My kids are like, 'Yeah, Dad, you should. It was great. We enjoyed those stories.' It wasn't, 'Oh, my gosh, Dad, go!'
It was just like more like, 'Yeah, Dad, good idea. Go for it.'
They were happy for me and wanted me to do it.
So, I did it. I still have the video of when I showed them the book being finished and them opening it up. They opened up, and they saw the Spike and the Holiday Parade around the holidays. Their reactions are fantastic because they're in the book.
To be in a book, they were thrilled and excited. It's a special moment as an author, that you get to see your books being delivered, but then to see your own kids in the story, or to see their reactions and your friends and your family and everyone.
Even new readers, being able to look at the book and enjoy it, is just an author's thrill ride, like a roller coaster. It's just the absolute most fun. It came about through their inspiration and the desire to create and write.
I'm very, very proud of it.
Jackie Morreale (20:25)
I am so excited to hear you say that. I can't wait to see what Spike's next adventure will be. I'm so happy to hear that your kids are your biggest fans.
R.G. Taylor (20:33)
My son lives in Chicago now, but my daughter's close by and she comes to my signings or art openings. I have my kids' support. It's great.
Really happy to say: 'Hi kids! I love you!' really quick.
Jackie Morreale (20:43)
Yes. Hi kids!
It's so nice to hear that they support you and your art from everywhere.
What, in your opinion, makes a children's story stick? Not just with kids, but perhaps with the adults or the parents or guardians that read it with them, too.
R.G. Taylor (20:48)
What makes the story stick are the characters. When the characters are engaging, by being relatable. If the character is grumpy, people can relate to being grumpy. If the character's happy, people can relate to being happy. I think the relatability of the main character and the sub-characters in the story gives it that long-lasting quality.
The writing in the story has to be good. The setting has to be at least relatable or understandable. Obviously, for fantasy and science fiction, they create other worlds. Think of Star Wars and all these other worlds, which I find phenomenal that people can create these in their imagination.
But those are the long-lasting attributes, I think, that help a book, and obviously, specifically a children's book, be long-lasting and enduring.
Jackie Morreale (21:45)
Why was it important to you to include themes like unity and compassion in your Spike and the Holiday Parade book?
R.G. Taylor (21:52)
That's a great question. I was always just so happy to see my kids' friends come over. In South Florida, we have a lot of diversity in terms of our population here. Spike, of course, just loved everybody who walked through the door.
Whatever or whoever came over, Spike loved everybody. I think that theme is important.
In the book, it's carried out that I like good humans, and I don't really need to know everything else about where you stand on certain topics.
Just you to be a good human, and for Spike, that was good enough. In many ways for me, that's good enough too. I like those themes, and I practice them in life.
Jackie Morreale (22:30)
I think we could all learn a thing or two from Spike. I love that compassion that a dog is going to love anyone good who walks through the door.
R.G. Taylor (22:33)
I like them as people, even if you weren't my kid, I would still like you. But some of your friends, maybe not so much, when they were younger. But you as a person, I like you.
Jackie Morreale (22:43)
That's the best.
R.G. Taylor (22:49)
I like those kids. But some of the other ones in Spike seem to know, and we would agree on some of them. The dogs always know.
Even still, I knew they were young. I knew they were trying to figure things out. Also, it's like, hey, you're still welcome. They were welcome, of course, to be there.
Jackie Morreale (22:54)
The fact that you have grown-up kids means that you're a good dad and you gave them all the tools that they need to be that way now. That's an amazing way to know if the orange slices and all those things that happened over the years added up to this wonderful human being that they are today.
R.G. Taylor (23:17)
Thank you. That's a huge, huge compliment. And kids, if you're listening, I hope you agree. Thank you so much for that.
Jackie Morreale (23:28)
What does joining the parade represent beyond the story itself?
R.G. Taylor (23:33)
When it says to #joinspikesparade , and I use it as a hashtag. It's not just, buy the book or be a part.
It's calling people to be something much bigger, which is being a good human.
Be a good human. Join a group of people who are also good humans who are going to recognize you far beyond beliefs and thoughts that you may have, but can just see you for who you are as a good human, as a good person, as a good Samaritan.
Joining Spike's Parade is the movement of saying, I want to see more of this kind of inclusivity that the book talks about and everyone working together. Maybe they don't have the same exact belief, but they can all come together and form Spike's Parade and raise money for the animal shelter where Spike was rescued.
(Continued below)
Jackie Morreale (13:34)
That's another ‘yes’. Let's take it to your favorites. This might also make people mad.
Favorite place to eat in West Palm Beach? We have a lot of places.
R.G. Taylor (13:35)
Well, we have a lot of really great places. I have to say El Segundo, it's elevated Mexican food, which I love. Their chips are outstanding. There are several others, but if I'm going to get a good bite, a good meal, and good service, it's El Segundo.
It happens to be at Peach. Even if wasn't at the Peach, it's still one of my favorite all-time places to go.
Jackie Morreale (14:01)
Everybody at El Segundo, thank you for being amazing. Favorite book?
R.G. Taylor (14:05)
Of course, I would say my favorite book is my book, lol.
My favorite book honestly was Atlas Shrugged. That was my favorite book. I just loved the concepts and the ideas and the owning yourself and being in charge of your life. I still reference that from time to time in my life and just recognizing the importance of creating.
In the book, it's your own metal. In my life, it's my own art, my own voice, my own direction.
Jackie Morreale (14:28)
Favorite artist? This one can also be you if you'd like.
R.G. Taylor (14:32)
My highest inspiration has been Jackson Pollock. When I look at how he's crafted his works and I, gratefully get compared to him, which is a huge honor. Yet I know that I do different things than him. That makes me be me in what I do. But I would say Jackson Pollock.
Jackie Morreale (14:47)
I'm sure you've seen the Jackson Pollock movie, and the process. I look forward to the R.G. Taylor movie one day, where I can understand your process and the intricacies of it, and some of the crazy behind it, because all artists do have a little bit of that as well.
R.G. Taylor (14:53)
Hello! Make that happen! For sure.
Jackie Morreale (15:04)
Let's make it! Why not?
Favorite musician?
R.G. Taylor (15:05)
U2. I know it's not a musician, but a band... it's U2.
Jackie Morreale (15:08)
Timeless, good answer. Favorite author?
R.G. Taylor (15:11)
I'm just reading again, The Lottery, the short story, it's by Shirley Jackson.
That short story is an indictment against tradition. I don't know if you've ever had a chance to read it, but you should; anybody should. It's just tremendous. I love short stories because the author has to be challenged to do so much in a short amount of time.
She does it, and she's one of the reasons why, when I write, I just appreciate how she was so good with the language to be able to create the scenery and everything in such a short amount of time.
I've tried to honestly emulate that in my own writing. Today, it would be Shirley Jackson.
Jackie Morreale (15:49)
I have to pick it back up because it's fun when you read things from back in the day, and then you have a totally different lens. Even 75 years later, it can still really ring true and be relevant.
Favorite quote for life or mantra?
R.G. Taylor (16:03)
'If it is to be, it is up to me.'
Took a while to learn that, but I learned it, and then I can caveat and say with a team and with others to help and collaborate. But if it is to be, it is up to me to make that first stop, to have the audacity to think that something is going to happen. Whatever that is, fill in the blank. If it's going to happen, I will be the one who will have to initiate it.
Get it going and then let it gain its traction and wheels or legs, and start taking off and move on with it.
Jackie Morreale (16:35)
'If it is to be, it is up to me.' You have to be your own hero, right? Nobody's coming.
R.G. Taylor (16:39)
Exactly. You have to do it. You have to make it happen. I recognize that I can't make it happen on my own. I can't do it by myself. Yet I recognize, too, and I'm maybe wise enough finally to know that if there's any idea that this brain comes up with, I will have to start it and then bring in and recruit and network or what have you to kind of help it all come together.
Jackie Morreale (17:01)
Takes a village. Absolutely. But that spark, if you get it, if you have that, you have to do it. Run with it.
R.G. Taylor (17:05)
You run with it, you go for it. Yeah, you have to.
It was given to you.
You've got this concept, this idea. You just do it.
Sometimes I just write.
If you want a little bit of sneak into the process.
For the movie that we talked about in the future, they'll use this clip.
Jackie Morreale (17:11)
I feel the fire. I can't wait to see what you do next. There's just so much there.
R.G. Taylor (17:24)
I have to just write things that I know I'm never going to use, or I have to paint stuff that I'm not ever going to use, to unclog it all and let it get it out so that the flow and 'the good stuff' I call it starts to come through and you're able to then get to where you want to be.
I'll write paragraphs that I know have no use, but they're there, and I can't get rid of them.
So, I just write it, and it gets it out.
Then it's like, the clogged river is done, and I can begin with the flow of ideas and concepts and start again.
That's just part of my creative process.
Some of the artists I'm collaborating with, their work is hanging in my house right now so I can see it. I get ideas about how I want to interpret it for myself there. It's hanging in my house, but I'm not ready yet to put the paint on it, but I am looking at it and studying it and trying to figure out what it wants to be.
Jackie Morreale (18:14)
Let's switch gears and talk about your book, called Spike and the Holiday Parade. It is a children's book inspired by stories that you told to your own children. How did those moments turn into something bigger with this book?
R.G. Taylor (18:27)
When my kids were little, I would tell them stories. Whatever the day's events were, I would interject them and then introduce crazy characters like elephants and such into the story.
They would laugh. Sometimes I would ask them to leave the story on a cliffhanger and they'd have to tell me how it ended in the morning.
That was honestly a parental hack.
They wouldn't get up and want a glass of water, they'd be in and have to figure out the end of the story, and they would fall asleep. There's a useful hack, parents, to tell your kids the story and then just make them think about the ending, and then they fall asleep.
More out of sanity than maybe out of creativity that came about.
Jackie Morreale (18:51)
Think about it, even with ourselves, so many times you have this 'creative cliffhanger,' whether it's what's your next stroke or what's your next page or word.
We all need to have a night to sleep on it, think about it, dream about it, and kind of connect the dots and see what we come up with from there. How great is it that you can continue it with your kids and use that collaborative process to problem-solve creatively together?
R.G. Taylor (19:26)
It was a lot of fun. Fast forward years later, I was thinking about doing a book.
My kids are like, 'Yeah, Dad, you should. It was great. We enjoyed those stories.' It wasn't, 'Oh, my gosh, Dad, go!'
It was just like more like, 'Yeah, Dad, good idea. Go for it.'
They were happy for me and wanted me to do it.
So, I did it. I still have the video of when I showed them the book being finished and them opening it up. They opened up, and they saw the Spike and the Holiday Parade around the holidays. Their reactions are fantastic because they're in the book.
To be in a book, they were thrilled and excited. It's a special moment as an author, that you get to see your books being delivered, but then to see your own kids in the story, or to see their reactions and your friends and your family and everyone.
Even new readers, being able to look at the book and enjoy it, is just an author's thrill ride, like a roller coaster. It's just the absolute most fun. It came about through their inspiration and the desire to create and write.
I'm very, very proud of it.
Jackie Morreale (20:25)
I am so excited to hear you say that. I can't wait to see what Spike's next adventure will be. I'm so happy to hear that your kids are your biggest fans.
R.G. Taylor (20:33)
My son lives in Chicago now, but my daughter's close by and she comes to my signings or art openings. I have my kids' support. It's great.
Really happy to say: 'Hi kids! I love you!' really quick.
Jackie Morreale (20:43)
Yes. Hi kids!
It's so nice to hear that they support you and your art from everywhere.
What, in your opinion, makes a children's story stick? Not just with kids, but perhaps with the adults or the parents or guardians that read it with them, too.
R.G. Taylor (20:48)
What makes the story stick are the characters. When the characters are engaging, by being relatable. If the character is grumpy, people can relate to being grumpy. If the character's happy, people can relate to being happy. I think the relatability of the main character and the sub-characters in the story gives it that long-lasting quality.
The writing in the story has to be good. The setting has to be at least relatable or understandable. Obviously, for fantasy and science fiction, they create other worlds. Think of Star Wars and all these other worlds, which I find phenomenal that people can create these in their imagination.
But those are the long-lasting attributes, I think, that help a book, and obviously, specifically a children's book, be long-lasting and enduring.
Jackie Morreale (21:45)
Why was it important to you to include themes like unity and compassion in your Spike and the Holiday Parade book?
R.G. Taylor (21:52)
That's a great question. I was always just so happy to see my kids' friends come over. In South Florida, we have a lot of diversity in terms of our population here. Spike, of course, just loved everybody who walked through the door.
Whatever or whoever came over, Spike loved everybody. I think that theme is important.
In the book, it's carried out that I like good humans, and I don't really need to know everything else about where you stand on certain topics.
Just you to be a good human, and for Spike, that was good enough. In many ways for me, that's good enough too. I like those themes, and I practice them in life.
Jackie Morreale (22:30)
I think we could all learn a thing or two from Spike. I love that compassion that a dog is going to love anyone good who walks through the door.
R.G. Taylor (22:33)
I like them as people, even if you weren't my kid, I would still like you. But some of your friends, maybe not so much, when they were younger. But you as a person, I like you.
Jackie Morreale (22:43)
That's the best.
R.G. Taylor (22:49)
I like those kids. But some of the other ones in Spike seem to know, and we would agree on some of them. The dogs always know.
Even still, I knew they were young. I knew they were trying to figure things out. Also, it's like, hey, you're still welcome. They were welcome, of course, to be there.
Jackie Morreale (22:54)
The fact that you have grown-up kids means that you're a good dad and you gave them all the tools that they need to be that way now. That's an amazing way to know if the orange slices and all those things that happened over the years added up to this wonderful human being that they are today.
R.G. Taylor (23:17)
Thank you. That's a huge, huge compliment. And kids, if you're listening, I hope you agree. Thank you so much for that.
Jackie Morreale (23:28)
What does joining the parade represent beyond the story itself?
R.G. Taylor (23:33)
When it says to #joinspikesparade , and I use it as a hashtag. It's not just, buy the book or be a part.
It's calling people to be something much bigger, which is being a good human.
Be a good human. Join a group of people who are also good humans who are going to recognize you far beyond beliefs and thoughts that you may have, but can just see you for who you are as a good human, as a good person, as a good Samaritan.
Joining Spike's Parade is the movement of saying, I want to see more of this kind of inclusivity that the book talks about and everyone working together. Maybe they don't have the same exact belief, but they can all come together and form Spike's Parade and raise money for the animal shelter where Spike was rescued.
(Continued below)
R.G. Taylor, Artist & Author in Residence at The Peach:
R.G. Taylor's Spike and the Holiday Parade book
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The Peach sign over the building
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Support Living Artists! The Dead Ones Don't Need the Money. Tshirt designed by R.G. Taylor.
|
(Continued)
Jackie Morreale (24:13)
I love when children's books are deceptively simple and yet have this really important message that anyone can understand and gain from reading it.
Let's talk more about your creative ventures. You didn't write this book; you also built a brand, Spike Media Group. So, you have a media presence and really a movement. Why was that important to do in addition to the book?
R.G. Taylor (24:40)
It came about because, in writing the book, I had to form the LLC, and then you start to ask other questions.
You realize there could be more of a platform here to articulate multiple messages and different pathways for artists to be included.
I saw an opportunity to make something more. I'm thrilled with it and just loving how it's growing into its own being.
I'm like at the helm, but I'm like the dog that got the bumper that it was chasing the car.
It's like, now what? I finally got it and it's just taken off. It's a ride and it's tremendous.
Jackie Morreale (25:14)
I can't wait to hashtag #joinspikesparade that really brings us together as artists. I love that the value of unity is there, in everything that you do, R.G.
Here's the question that you might just say 'yes' to again. Do you think of yourself as an author, an artist, a founder, a community builder, or all of the above? What is your favorite role if you had to pick?
R.G. Taylor (25:35)
It's going to be a yes, all the above. What is my favorite? It's honestly going to vary by the day. Which hat do I wear? I see all those things you mentioned as different hats, if you will, that I have to put on and take off.
Sometimes there are two or three stacked that I'm wearing. Being a parent, you know how to wear multiple hats.
I love community building. I love being a parent. It's just part of being an artist, being full in my life that then carries into my art and what I express through writing, what I express through painting. I love all the hats.
I have others that you didn't even mention. Strategic partner builder and these other things.
I love it all. I really love it all.
Jackie Morreale (26:19)
And it shows. That's the nice part about being an artist.
R.G. Taylor (26:23)
That's exactly it.
Jackie Morreale (26:25)
Let's talk more about your work at the Peach. One of the pieces of the pie. I love that it's called the Peach, by the way. I've been over that bridge, so many times.
The neon peach that's right there over the bridge as you drive by. It struck me the last time that we were driving by and I'm like, 'What is that? I need to know more about it.'
Tell me more about the Peach and your work at the Peach. What drew you to become Artist & Author in residence there? And congratulations, that is amazing.
R.G. Taylor (26:47)
Thank you so much. Quick backstory: The Peach's name came from that we're on Georgia Avenue. So, Georgia and Peach, it's Georgia Peach, they named the campus. It has the restaurant. It has six studios. It has a vendor village when we have vendors come for different events.
We have also a gallery that fluctuates with different events and such in it. It's a wonderful campus, formerly garage bays where they fixed cars that have been converted now into these six studios. We have 11 artists in residence there and we create on a daily basis.
It's an amazing collective of people.
My role there came about interestingly enough. I was interested in a space. I submitted my art to them, and I didn't hear back.
Then I got a call from the president of the No More Starving Artists Foundation. It was an email inviting me to be an artist in residence at the Peach through the No More Starving Artist Foundation.
Trina Slade-Burks, who's the president of the foundation. The people from the Peach had contacted her through the foundation to say, 'We think you should consider him as part of your artist in residency program at the Peach.' She liked what she saw and offered me the artist in residence there for a year. I accepted that.
I got the email, would I be interested? I think within five seconds, I said, 'Yes, of course, I'm going to do it.'
Didn't need to think about it or anything. I was like, 'Yes, of course I want to do it and be a part.' As they say, the rest is history. I've been there now starting in January. I have through December and I don't know what's next after that, but I'm just loving that I'm a part of this collective of artists.
Jackie Morreale (28:19)
Yes! That's amazing!
R.G. Taylor (28:40)
Just a shout out to the group. The Peach just won the Community Impact Award from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County for 2026. Congratulations to the Peach and all the artists. The group is just a tremendous collective of people and we're there for each other. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it.
So that's the story - from one thing to the other and one person referring me to the next two, then it all coming together. Nothing that I could have orchestrated or put together, it just happened. That's sometimes I think the best way.
Jackie Morreale (29:13)
Sounds very aligned! Now you're part of this collective of artists in residency at the Peach for this and you've already been recognized with this amazing award from the Palm Beach Cultural Council.
R.G. Taylor (29:26)
The whole collective received that and it's just tremendous. The Peach has been around just for four years and in four short years they've been recognized this way. It's just tremendous - to the artistry, the artists, the collective.
All the different people, Craig McInnis, who's the manager there, different ones all have been tremendous in bringing about the success that is the Peach today and the 'Power of the Peach' as we call it.
Jackie Morreale (29:49)
Power of the peach! You guys are doing so much for the community for the arts right here in Palm Beach County. I'm floored. Congratulations to the whole collective! Making West Palm Beach a destination for the arts.
What makes this space, the Peach, in particular different from a typical gallery or creative venue?
R.G. Taylor (30:13)
At most galleries, when you attend, the artists are present. That's a similarity. What I think is unique about the Peach is that it's not galleries, it's actual studios. The artists not only show their work, but they are also creating.
At any given time, you can come to the Peach, and you'll see that the artists are painting or sculpting or whatever their discipline is or multi-disciplinary.
They are working on that at any time. That's what I think really sets the Peach apart from other galleries and venues: You can actually witness and see the creation of pieces. You can pre-order pieces if you want to commission artists to do something.
Jackie Morreale (30:51)
Right there in that space. It's like magic. How important is community when it comes to sustaining a creative life?
R.G. Taylor (30:58)
In sustaining a creative life, community is probably 80+% of it. You really have to be out there. Knowing people, meeting people, and being at different venues. You and I met at a book signing. I talked to you, and I loved your books, and here we are.
Jackie Morreale (31:14)
Right, and I love your books and your work.
I love that that happened. I'm inspired by you. 80%?
R.G. Taylor (31:19)
It's really just getting out there. I think you have to have 'Audacity' to kind of get yourself out there and get out of your head and say, 'I've got to try.' I'm going to meet somebody at this book signing. I don't know who, but I'm going to go, and I'm going to meet somebody or people, and it's going to be good. Or I'm going to go to this gallery or to the Peach or the Norton or I'm going to go anywhere and just put yourself out there.
Just let the things happen that happen. I think that there's community building, like we're doing with the docent program, and just being a part of the whole art scene of West Palm Beach. All of that has great synergy together and create these synergies of interconnectivity that allow.
The next great things to happen. Artists meeting artists and being inspired with each other's works. There's wonderful programming at the Peach. There are different things that happen. Community is the foundation for future growth and things that can happen.
Jackie Morreale (32:15)
What you just said, that community is the foundation for projecting future growth, could probably be applied to almost anything in any industry in any life. It is so important, especially to recognize it in the arts. We need each other, right? That's it.
R.G. Taylor (32:29)
That's it. I thought about what I want people to take away when they come to the Peach.
I want them to feel like they found their people, like they found their tribe, like they found the breath of fresh air that the Peach is when you come there and you see what's happening.
I can't tell you how many times first time people come and they're like breathing, 'Love this place. This is so great.' There's this release of their soul to engage with and be a part of what's happening there.
That is so refreshing to see and so unique, almost otherworldly, in terms of how people react when they come there.
I appreciate that so much. If I can shout out to the Subculture group for how they oversee the Peach and just making that available to the public and for all of us. Thank you.
Jackie Morreale (33:15)
Seems very much aligned with Spike and the Holiday Parade messaging. It's very inclusive, very community-building. It's all about the goodness underneath and expressing ourselves. I love that Subculture group is building this refreshing, beautiful artist community right here in our backyard.
I'm excited about April 4th at the Peach. Let's talk more about the Art Walk and the author signing opportunity since it's coming up so quickly. Can you tell us more about this event? Who is it for? What can we do? What can we expect? Anything that you can share without getting in trouble and spilling the beans too much.
R.G. Taylor (33:43)
You bet. Very excited.
Part of my residency was to help bring authors to the Peach. For the first time ever, that I'm aware of, the Peach is having this event, with authors and illustrators, combining with our monthly Art Walk. What that means is we have about 20 authors that are going to be participating with the Art Walk.
The Art Walk is a standalone event every month, and all the artists who are in the studios are present, and the art is there, and we invite other vendors to come and artists to come and show their work and to be vendors at the event.
This is unique here coming up on the fourth because the authors are going to be there with their books.
They're going to be there to sign books.
They're going to be there to have photo opportunities, to ask questions. I think that's going to be something very unique and is a first for us here at the Peach.
The times are from 3PM to 8PM and all the studios will be open, all the artists are present. You can talk, interact, and we have a really great time.
Jackie Morreale (34:50)
My favorite thing about firsts is that they're usually the first of many. And it does take that audacious idea, that different idea, that new artist & author in residence, like you at the Peach, to bring that community in and make the authors feel like artists as well.
R.G. Taylor (35:06)
They are artists.
They're creating characters, they're creating setting, they're creating tone. In many ways, a painter has to create the setting and the tone of their painting. I think artists, authors, and illustrators are all in this together.
Jackie Morreale (35:20)
We're all this together.
I know you told me when people come to the Peach for the first time, they feel a release, like this breath of fresh air. If there is a takeaway message or a feeling for this particular event, combining artists and authors, what is that feeling going to be?
R.G. Taylor (35:35)
I want them to say, want to come back.
They want to come back. This is my people. This is my tribe. I found it. It's going to be fun.
When you experience something, and you know, 'Man, that was so great and you want to come back and do it again, whether that was when you rode that roller coaster and like, 'Man, that was awesome. Let's do that again...' I'd love for people to have that sense of this was really good. I want to have and do this again.
Jackie Morreale (36:03)
That the Peach is like an addictive roller coaster. Why not right? Is there a certain moment during the three to eight o'clock event that you can leak as an exciting part of this event on April 4th?
R.G. Taylor (36:14)
The authors are going to do live readings in the studios of the artists. We're going to let each author read a section of their book live for people that are attending. I love them because you are hearing the author read what they wrote with their inflections and their intentions and their wordings and the breath that they take in between the words and there is just something so unique in listening to the author read their work. I'm looking forward to that for myself to go and listen to the colleagues that I have that are authors to hear them interpret and read their work.
Jackie Morreale (36:55)
I have to give a quick shout out to the WNBA, the Women's National Book Association, which is the reason why I have experienced events like that.
We talked about the Art Walk event and the author signing and reading on April 4th. So in addition to this event, there's also the April 10th docent training that you mentioned in collaboration with the Norton Museum of Art, which is right down the street from the Peach, two amazing artist destinations right here in West Palm Beach. Can you tell us more about the docent training and what it can do for this next generation of artists, art lovers, art historians, who want to learn more and interact with these pieces and share them in a bigger way?
R.G. Taylor (37:36)
I'm excited that the docent program is happening, and in the process, it's an excellent opportunity for our teens here in Palm Beach County to be on board and to learn about some life skills.
A docent is a tour guide and educated in terms of the art and the artistry. You'll find docents in museums, you'll find them in galleries, and after April 10th, you'll find them at the Peach.
That's what we're excited about. Our docents are going to learn about each of the artists in the Peach. They're going to learn what inspired each artist at the Peach. They're going to learn about the art history that connects this artist today and their connection to art in the past and inspiration and history involved. We're going to have a training and we're going to teach these different aspects to them. One of the things that docents do is they provide a tour. It'll be on the campus of the Peach.
They'll talk about the six studios, the gallery, and be able to articulate about each of the different artists, what their styles are, what inspired them. Here's the other great part.
The docents are going to gain skills in terms of interacting with the public, which is a great skill you need the rest of your life. You have to be able to interact with people.
As a docent, when you're a tour guide, and you have someone who's asking you questions about the artist, you're the one in charge of talking about and articulating what's happening in that particular artist's life, in their works. There's that whole skill set of engaging with the public, talking to people, listening to what their questions are.
It's a skill and the docent program will provide that for teenagers.
Another thing that's wonderful is that through the foundation, we have received a donation that will provide a scholarship to all high school students who want to become a docent 100%.
So, there's no charge for the docents' training to high school students, and they are able to take the class free, which is amazing and thankful to the donor for doing this and aligning with us to do it.
The docent program will qualify for volunteer hours for students who have to volunteer for graduation. It's a tremendous opportunity.
All of our docents, if they are artists, painters, sculptors, we're going to have a docent show. A docent show that all the students are able to exhibit a piece of their art at the Peach.
Their piece will be considered an exhibited piece of art because it will have been exhibited at the Peach.
I am thrilled to be a part of it and to be partnering with the Norton Museum and the team collective there.
Jackie Morreale (40:21)
Where have you been all my life, R.G.? I don't know why our paths are aligning now and not when I was a teenager. I would have loved to have had my work shown in a docent gallery setting. The opportunities are endless and it's sponsored. They can do this for free and gain volunteer hours for their graduation.
R.G. Taylor (40:23)
If it’s something you're interested in, please contact through Eventbrite.
Jackie Morreale (40:42)
The icing on the cake, the support living artist t shirt, is that part of the deal as well?
R.G. Taylor (40:51)
Right, so the ‘support living artists, the dead ones don't need the money’ tshirts are my design. It's kind of cheeky, but people love it. They're like, that is so true. I get so many compliments and comments about it.
That t-shirt… I designed it because I love the saying. I thought this was great. That is the t-shirt all the docents will receive, and that's their uniform.
Jackie Morreale (40:55)
The dead ones don't need the money! Love that tagline.
(Continued below)
Jackie Morreale (24:13)
I love when children's books are deceptively simple and yet have this really important message that anyone can understand and gain from reading it.
Let's talk more about your creative ventures. You didn't write this book; you also built a brand, Spike Media Group. So, you have a media presence and really a movement. Why was that important to do in addition to the book?
R.G. Taylor (24:40)
It came about because, in writing the book, I had to form the LLC, and then you start to ask other questions.
You realize there could be more of a platform here to articulate multiple messages and different pathways for artists to be included.
I saw an opportunity to make something more. I'm thrilled with it and just loving how it's growing into its own being.
I'm like at the helm, but I'm like the dog that got the bumper that it was chasing the car.
It's like, now what? I finally got it and it's just taken off. It's a ride and it's tremendous.
Jackie Morreale (25:14)
I can't wait to hashtag #joinspikesparade that really brings us together as artists. I love that the value of unity is there, in everything that you do, R.G.
Here's the question that you might just say 'yes' to again. Do you think of yourself as an author, an artist, a founder, a community builder, or all of the above? What is your favorite role if you had to pick?
R.G. Taylor (25:35)
It's going to be a yes, all the above. What is my favorite? It's honestly going to vary by the day. Which hat do I wear? I see all those things you mentioned as different hats, if you will, that I have to put on and take off.
Sometimes there are two or three stacked that I'm wearing. Being a parent, you know how to wear multiple hats.
I love community building. I love being a parent. It's just part of being an artist, being full in my life that then carries into my art and what I express through writing, what I express through painting. I love all the hats.
I have others that you didn't even mention. Strategic partner builder and these other things.
I love it all. I really love it all.
Jackie Morreale (26:19)
And it shows. That's the nice part about being an artist.
R.G. Taylor (26:23)
That's exactly it.
Jackie Morreale (26:25)
Let's talk more about your work at the Peach. One of the pieces of the pie. I love that it's called the Peach, by the way. I've been over that bridge, so many times.
The neon peach that's right there over the bridge as you drive by. It struck me the last time that we were driving by and I'm like, 'What is that? I need to know more about it.'
Tell me more about the Peach and your work at the Peach. What drew you to become Artist & Author in residence there? And congratulations, that is amazing.
R.G. Taylor (26:47)
Thank you so much. Quick backstory: The Peach's name came from that we're on Georgia Avenue. So, Georgia and Peach, it's Georgia Peach, they named the campus. It has the restaurant. It has six studios. It has a vendor village when we have vendors come for different events.
We have also a gallery that fluctuates with different events and such in it. It's a wonderful campus, formerly garage bays where they fixed cars that have been converted now into these six studios. We have 11 artists in residence there and we create on a daily basis.
It's an amazing collective of people.
My role there came about interestingly enough. I was interested in a space. I submitted my art to them, and I didn't hear back.
Then I got a call from the president of the No More Starving Artists Foundation. It was an email inviting me to be an artist in residence at the Peach through the No More Starving Artist Foundation.
Trina Slade-Burks, who's the president of the foundation. The people from the Peach had contacted her through the foundation to say, 'We think you should consider him as part of your artist in residency program at the Peach.' She liked what she saw and offered me the artist in residence there for a year. I accepted that.
I got the email, would I be interested? I think within five seconds, I said, 'Yes, of course, I'm going to do it.'
Didn't need to think about it or anything. I was like, 'Yes, of course I want to do it and be a part.' As they say, the rest is history. I've been there now starting in January. I have through December and I don't know what's next after that, but I'm just loving that I'm a part of this collective of artists.
Jackie Morreale (28:19)
Yes! That's amazing!
R.G. Taylor (28:40)
Just a shout out to the group. The Peach just won the Community Impact Award from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County for 2026. Congratulations to the Peach and all the artists. The group is just a tremendous collective of people and we're there for each other. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it.
So that's the story - from one thing to the other and one person referring me to the next two, then it all coming together. Nothing that I could have orchestrated or put together, it just happened. That's sometimes I think the best way.
Jackie Morreale (29:13)
Sounds very aligned! Now you're part of this collective of artists in residency at the Peach for this and you've already been recognized with this amazing award from the Palm Beach Cultural Council.
R.G. Taylor (29:26)
The whole collective received that and it's just tremendous. The Peach has been around just for four years and in four short years they've been recognized this way. It's just tremendous - to the artistry, the artists, the collective.
All the different people, Craig McInnis, who's the manager there, different ones all have been tremendous in bringing about the success that is the Peach today and the 'Power of the Peach' as we call it.
Jackie Morreale (29:49)
Power of the peach! You guys are doing so much for the community for the arts right here in Palm Beach County. I'm floored. Congratulations to the whole collective! Making West Palm Beach a destination for the arts.
What makes this space, the Peach, in particular different from a typical gallery or creative venue?
R.G. Taylor (30:13)
At most galleries, when you attend, the artists are present. That's a similarity. What I think is unique about the Peach is that it's not galleries, it's actual studios. The artists not only show their work, but they are also creating.
At any given time, you can come to the Peach, and you'll see that the artists are painting or sculpting or whatever their discipline is or multi-disciplinary.
They are working on that at any time. That's what I think really sets the Peach apart from other galleries and venues: You can actually witness and see the creation of pieces. You can pre-order pieces if you want to commission artists to do something.
Jackie Morreale (30:51)
Right there in that space. It's like magic. How important is community when it comes to sustaining a creative life?
R.G. Taylor (30:58)
In sustaining a creative life, community is probably 80+% of it. You really have to be out there. Knowing people, meeting people, and being at different venues. You and I met at a book signing. I talked to you, and I loved your books, and here we are.
Jackie Morreale (31:14)
Right, and I love your books and your work.
I love that that happened. I'm inspired by you. 80%?
R.G. Taylor (31:19)
It's really just getting out there. I think you have to have 'Audacity' to kind of get yourself out there and get out of your head and say, 'I've got to try.' I'm going to meet somebody at this book signing. I don't know who, but I'm going to go, and I'm going to meet somebody or people, and it's going to be good. Or I'm going to go to this gallery or to the Peach or the Norton or I'm going to go anywhere and just put yourself out there.
Just let the things happen that happen. I think that there's community building, like we're doing with the docent program, and just being a part of the whole art scene of West Palm Beach. All of that has great synergy together and create these synergies of interconnectivity that allow.
The next great things to happen. Artists meeting artists and being inspired with each other's works. There's wonderful programming at the Peach. There are different things that happen. Community is the foundation for future growth and things that can happen.
Jackie Morreale (32:15)
What you just said, that community is the foundation for projecting future growth, could probably be applied to almost anything in any industry in any life. It is so important, especially to recognize it in the arts. We need each other, right? That's it.
R.G. Taylor (32:29)
That's it. I thought about what I want people to take away when they come to the Peach.
I want them to feel like they found their people, like they found their tribe, like they found the breath of fresh air that the Peach is when you come there and you see what's happening.
I can't tell you how many times first time people come and they're like breathing, 'Love this place. This is so great.' There's this release of their soul to engage with and be a part of what's happening there.
That is so refreshing to see and so unique, almost otherworldly, in terms of how people react when they come there.
I appreciate that so much. If I can shout out to the Subculture group for how they oversee the Peach and just making that available to the public and for all of us. Thank you.
Jackie Morreale (33:15)
Seems very much aligned with Spike and the Holiday Parade messaging. It's very inclusive, very community-building. It's all about the goodness underneath and expressing ourselves. I love that Subculture group is building this refreshing, beautiful artist community right here in our backyard.
I'm excited about April 4th at the Peach. Let's talk more about the Art Walk and the author signing opportunity since it's coming up so quickly. Can you tell us more about this event? Who is it for? What can we do? What can we expect? Anything that you can share without getting in trouble and spilling the beans too much.
R.G. Taylor (33:43)
You bet. Very excited.
Part of my residency was to help bring authors to the Peach. For the first time ever, that I'm aware of, the Peach is having this event, with authors and illustrators, combining with our monthly Art Walk. What that means is we have about 20 authors that are going to be participating with the Art Walk.
The Art Walk is a standalone event every month, and all the artists who are in the studios are present, and the art is there, and we invite other vendors to come and artists to come and show their work and to be vendors at the event.
This is unique here coming up on the fourth because the authors are going to be there with their books.
They're going to be there to sign books.
They're going to be there to have photo opportunities, to ask questions. I think that's going to be something very unique and is a first for us here at the Peach.
The times are from 3PM to 8PM and all the studios will be open, all the artists are present. You can talk, interact, and we have a really great time.
Jackie Morreale (34:50)
My favorite thing about firsts is that they're usually the first of many. And it does take that audacious idea, that different idea, that new artist & author in residence, like you at the Peach, to bring that community in and make the authors feel like artists as well.
R.G. Taylor (35:06)
They are artists.
They're creating characters, they're creating setting, they're creating tone. In many ways, a painter has to create the setting and the tone of their painting. I think artists, authors, and illustrators are all in this together.
Jackie Morreale (35:20)
We're all this together.
I know you told me when people come to the Peach for the first time, they feel a release, like this breath of fresh air. If there is a takeaway message or a feeling for this particular event, combining artists and authors, what is that feeling going to be?
R.G. Taylor (35:35)
I want them to say, want to come back.
They want to come back. This is my people. This is my tribe. I found it. It's going to be fun.
When you experience something, and you know, 'Man, that was so great and you want to come back and do it again, whether that was when you rode that roller coaster and like, 'Man, that was awesome. Let's do that again...' I'd love for people to have that sense of this was really good. I want to have and do this again.
Jackie Morreale (36:03)
That the Peach is like an addictive roller coaster. Why not right? Is there a certain moment during the three to eight o'clock event that you can leak as an exciting part of this event on April 4th?
R.G. Taylor (36:14)
The authors are going to do live readings in the studios of the artists. We're going to let each author read a section of their book live for people that are attending. I love them because you are hearing the author read what they wrote with their inflections and their intentions and their wordings and the breath that they take in between the words and there is just something so unique in listening to the author read their work. I'm looking forward to that for myself to go and listen to the colleagues that I have that are authors to hear them interpret and read their work.
Jackie Morreale (36:55)
I have to give a quick shout out to the WNBA, the Women's National Book Association, which is the reason why I have experienced events like that.
We talked about the Art Walk event and the author signing and reading on April 4th. So in addition to this event, there's also the April 10th docent training that you mentioned in collaboration with the Norton Museum of Art, which is right down the street from the Peach, two amazing artist destinations right here in West Palm Beach. Can you tell us more about the docent training and what it can do for this next generation of artists, art lovers, art historians, who want to learn more and interact with these pieces and share them in a bigger way?
R.G. Taylor (37:36)
I'm excited that the docent program is happening, and in the process, it's an excellent opportunity for our teens here in Palm Beach County to be on board and to learn about some life skills.
A docent is a tour guide and educated in terms of the art and the artistry. You'll find docents in museums, you'll find them in galleries, and after April 10th, you'll find them at the Peach.
That's what we're excited about. Our docents are going to learn about each of the artists in the Peach. They're going to learn what inspired each artist at the Peach. They're going to learn about the art history that connects this artist today and their connection to art in the past and inspiration and history involved. We're going to have a training and we're going to teach these different aspects to them. One of the things that docents do is they provide a tour. It'll be on the campus of the Peach.
They'll talk about the six studios, the gallery, and be able to articulate about each of the different artists, what their styles are, what inspired them. Here's the other great part.
The docents are going to gain skills in terms of interacting with the public, which is a great skill you need the rest of your life. You have to be able to interact with people.
As a docent, when you're a tour guide, and you have someone who's asking you questions about the artist, you're the one in charge of talking about and articulating what's happening in that particular artist's life, in their works. There's that whole skill set of engaging with the public, talking to people, listening to what their questions are.
It's a skill and the docent program will provide that for teenagers.
Another thing that's wonderful is that through the foundation, we have received a donation that will provide a scholarship to all high school students who want to become a docent 100%.
So, there's no charge for the docents' training to high school students, and they are able to take the class free, which is amazing and thankful to the donor for doing this and aligning with us to do it.
The docent program will qualify for volunteer hours for students who have to volunteer for graduation. It's a tremendous opportunity.
All of our docents, if they are artists, painters, sculptors, we're going to have a docent show. A docent show that all the students are able to exhibit a piece of their art at the Peach.
Their piece will be considered an exhibited piece of art because it will have been exhibited at the Peach.
I am thrilled to be a part of it and to be partnering with the Norton Museum and the team collective there.
Jackie Morreale (40:21)
Where have you been all my life, R.G.? I don't know why our paths are aligning now and not when I was a teenager. I would have loved to have had my work shown in a docent gallery setting. The opportunities are endless and it's sponsored. They can do this for free and gain volunteer hours for their graduation.
R.G. Taylor (40:23)
If it’s something you're interested in, please contact through Eventbrite.
Jackie Morreale (40:42)
The icing on the cake, the support living artist t shirt, is that part of the deal as well?
R.G. Taylor (40:51)
Right, so the ‘support living artists, the dead ones don't need the money’ tshirts are my design. It's kind of cheeky, but people love it. They're like, that is so true. I get so many compliments and comments about it.
That t-shirt… I designed it because I love the saying. I thought this was great. That is the t-shirt all the docents will receive, and that's their uniform.
Jackie Morreale (40:55)
The dead ones don't need the money! Love that tagline.
(Continued below)
Upcoming April 2026 Events at The Peach, West Palm Beach, Florida:
Art Walk and Authors/Illustrators Talk | April 4, 2026 3-8PM (Click for Eventbrite link)
Docent Training & Art Show | April 10, 2026 4-7PM (Click for Eventbrite link)
(Continued)
R.G. Taylor (41:12)
When they come to be a volunteer, they wear that shirt, and that's how people are able to identify a docent on the campus. That's how they'll be able to lead the tours, talk to people, interact, simple questions like where's R.G.'s studio to where's the restaurant, the myriad of questions. They'll be equipped and ready to succeed.
Jackie Morreale (41:30)
It really is such a cool perk. As a working artist, a living artist who's doing all these different things, what does success mean to you now in the art world?
R.G. Taylor (41:41)
It's multi-layered. Success is multiple successes that culminate into a big success. I sense success with our docent program. I sense success with the relationship building among Palm Beach County. It's all these things coming together that are defining success for me now.
Years ago, success was, could I just even have a gallery look at my work? Could I just get my art publicly displayed? Then it did. That was success. I was so happy.
As time goes on, I'm open to success's new definitions. I'm open to success telling me or showing me what it can be and for the future that I haven't thought of or even dreamt of, but is out there and is coming. I'm open to that. It's success for what happened in the past and the things that I can see.
I'm in the moment of success with certain programming that's happening and grateful for that. I'm excited about the future and what successes will happen. For me as a multidisciplinary author and artist, I'm open to what's ahead. It's yet to be defined, and yet it is definable.
Jackie Morreale (42:50)
What would you say to someone listening right now who feels creative but doesn't yet call themselves an artist?
R.G. Taylor (42:57)
You have to resolve that you're an artist. If you're not a practicing artist right now, maybe because you're doing other things right now, you just can't be that creative person.
Know that you are still an artist and that never changes.
Regardless of how your life is changing, how life is moving, you are still an artist and don't lose or change that identity because of how life is moving and changing. Always remain an artist.
Maybe an artist on hiatus, but you are an artist.
You are an artist who is learning new things. Maybe you're an artist who's starting to write, and you used to paint, or you're a writer, and you're starting to paint so you can illustrate your own works.
You're still an artist. It's the ability to say, 'I'm an artist and I am creative.'
It starts with that belief first that no matter what happens, you're creative, you are an artist.
Jackie Morreale (43:51)
Beautiful. I could just replay that minute every morning when I wake up. That is your core, that is your identity. Thank you for that. It's beautiful.
R.G. Taylor (43:59)
You're welcome.
Jackie Morreale (44:00)
If someone identifies as an artist, they have a creative idea, perhaps it's a book, perhaps it's a brand, perhaps it's for an image of some kind, a painting, a piece… what's their very first move?
R.G. Taylor (44:10)
I say, DO IT! Start it.
Have the audacity to put it in the painting, sing the song, write the book, play the instrument, just have that audacity to believe you can do it and step out into it.
Take the action.
Make it happen. Step by step. You know, there's a song, it's, sing, sing a song.
Doesn't matter at all if it's not good enough.
It is good enough for you because you're an artist. You are able to create.
You take control. You make it happen. You're going to play the music. You're going to act the role. You're going to do it.
You try something new, and it's not perfect, that's fine. We're way past that as humans.
At this stage in our life, we are failing or we failed at something.
We're not in school anymore. We're not like, 'Get a passing grade or fail.' You can't fail anymore.
You can only learn things.
If you try something artistic like painting, you can't fail at it because you tried it.
You keep learning and say, 'I don't like how I painted that. I'm going to add something else. I'm going to become better at my painting or my writing.'
Jackie Morreale (45:10)
Exactly!
R.G. Taylor (45:20)
As an artist at your core, you still do it. It doesn't matter that it's not there. What did you learn? What do you want to do better? What do you want to improve on?
You take risks if you want, you step out of comfort zones.
You try things, and get rid of the lens that says, 'I don't want to you know you can't fail, you're going to learn something. That makes it much better to go for it, because there's no preemptive necessity to be perfect in it.
You're an artist. You're creating something.
So many artists get in their head and don't try new things. That's how I became a multi-disciplined artist; I've said, I'm going to try.
I'm going to do it. I'm going to make mistakes, but they're not mistakes. I'm just learning, and I'm getting better, and I keep learning more.
It's a wonderful way to approach things. I encourage people who are like, do I create or not? Yes, you absolutely should create.
You absolutely should do it without any strings on yourself because you are creating something that has never ever existed on this planet, ever.
Why would it be wrong? How could it be wrong? It's new.
Jackie Morreale (46:32)
I totally agree. There are so many quotes, but man, the ones that just came out of your mouth right now, they're going in the mantra every morning. They should be the next Spike book. I love the rhythm of it.
R.G. Taylor (46:41)
My gosh, wow.
Jackie Morreale (46:45)
I love that you have to empty out your mind of that paragraph or of whatever, just to get it out there because you need to, to get into that flow and to learn and grow as a person. there's so much there to putting yourself out there that even could extend to people. Get out of your head and put it out there. Break that white canvas or that blank page.
R.G. Taylor (47:06)
Start it. Just move forward and start it. If you take out that you can't fail, and you take out that you can't do it wrong, and that what you can do is learn from what you're doing, wow, what a relief.
Jackie Morreale (47:19)
Wow, it's light. Feels effortless and then it's fun and that's usually when you do your best work.
R.G. Taylor (47:22)
You've removed all the parameters. You just blew them open and said, 'I'm just going to do this.'
Some of my writing will never, and I mean ever, see the light of day by anybody else. It's not for them, I had to write it and get it out of me.
Some of my paintings, they're in this closet. They will never be seen until I'm gone but I had to paint them.
I had to write that.
I had to because it was blocking my flow, but I did it because I'm not going to be wrong. I'm allowing my creative process to kick in.
I'm just going to learn stuff and learn and learn and learn and learn. Then you evolve.
Jackie Morreale (47:46)
Right.
R.G. Taylor (48:01)
Then you get better, and you improve and improve, and things start to flow really well for yourself. It's just so important that you just do it and take away these barriers and just say, 'I'm an artist, I create, and today I'm going to do XYZ.'
Jackie Morreale (48:16)
That literally changes the world because nothing like it has been created before.
Man, can we do this every day?
R.G. Taylor (48:21)
Right? I've so enjoyed this; just talking and sharing. I love your questions. They're spot on. Thank you. I'm an open book. Ha ha ha.
Jackie Morreale (48:33)
Any shout-outs to people who are doing great things, whether it's at the Peach or beyond, or people who may have helped you get to where you are today?
R.G. Taylor (48:39)
Yes, sure. My second-grade teacher spotted my artistry at a younger age, all the way to college professors I've had, like Dr. Laura Holland, Sheldon Patinkin from the National Jewish Theater in Chicago, and Michael Maggio at the Goodman Theater in Chicago.
All my Peach colleagues, Trina Slade-Burks with the No More Starving Artists Foundation. Of course, my dad and my mom and their influence, and my kids.
There's the RG collective of people to thank. The broadcast isn't long enough to list, but thank you for the opportunity.
Jackie Morreale (49:12)
Absolutely! What is next for you?
R.G. Taylor (49:15)
I'm working with a couple of other strategic partners to take things to the next level. We talked about my shirt, support living artists, the dead ones don't need the money.
I'm looking to create that into something much more. I'm working with strategic partners. I want to make a movement with that initiative and invite all the different artists, so actors and musicians and everyone that is, an artist, authors, illustrators, musicians, singers, poets, ceramicists, photographers, living artists because they can use the money and they support themselves this way. It's so important that we do that and we can.
It means so much to have someone purchase your work and want it displayed in their home, office, or somewhere.
It goes so long in their happiness, knowing that their piece brought you happiness and joy or reading their book or watching their movie just made a difference for them.
That's what's ahead, and things are moving in that direction.
Jackie Morreale (50:22)
to see what becomes with this year in residence at the Peach and so many amazing things for you and the entire collective!
R.G. Taylor (50:30)
Thank you so much. I want to shout out to you because I know you just hit a milestone of 50,000 subscribers. Jackie, what on earth is that about? Way to go to you. Huge congratulations to you. Phenomenal job.
You are winning! Congratulations. That's not even enough words as an author to be able to say it. There needs to be a new word, but like ‘Uta Bagata’ or something. I'll have to create just a new word or something for just the expression of saying congratulations and all this.
Jackie Morreale (51:05)
You're so sweet. Thank you so much.
It's the same stuff, what you said, I will say to myself every day, about growth. You have to be willing to put yourself out there and ask people the tough questions and then listen actively and see how it can apply to your own life, and just follow your gut, right? And that's...
R.G. Taylor (51:24)
That's it!
Jackie Morreale (51:24)
For me, that's it. I love surrounding myself with awesome people like you. I've learned so much.
R.G. Taylor (51:30)
Take the wins. You have to celebrate all the wins. Again, congratulations. Way to go.
Jackie Morreale (51:35)
Thank you so much, R.G. Thank you for your words of wisdom, and I will see you soon.
R.G. Taylor (51:40)
Thank you for the opportunity. I will see you on April 4th at the Peach’s Art Walk!
Jackie Morreale (51:43)
See you on the fourth! Take care. Bye.
R.G. Taylor (51:45)
Take care, bye.
To learn more about R.G. Taylor, visit: rgtaylorbooks.com
To learn more about The Peach, visit: thepeachwpb.com
To learn more about No More Starving Artists Foundation, visit: nmsaf.org
R.G. Taylor (41:12)
When they come to be a volunteer, they wear that shirt, and that's how people are able to identify a docent on the campus. That's how they'll be able to lead the tours, talk to people, interact, simple questions like where's R.G.'s studio to where's the restaurant, the myriad of questions. They'll be equipped and ready to succeed.
Jackie Morreale (41:30)
It really is such a cool perk. As a working artist, a living artist who's doing all these different things, what does success mean to you now in the art world?
R.G. Taylor (41:41)
It's multi-layered. Success is multiple successes that culminate into a big success. I sense success with our docent program. I sense success with the relationship building among Palm Beach County. It's all these things coming together that are defining success for me now.
Years ago, success was, could I just even have a gallery look at my work? Could I just get my art publicly displayed? Then it did. That was success. I was so happy.
As time goes on, I'm open to success's new definitions. I'm open to success telling me or showing me what it can be and for the future that I haven't thought of or even dreamt of, but is out there and is coming. I'm open to that. It's success for what happened in the past and the things that I can see.
I'm in the moment of success with certain programming that's happening and grateful for that. I'm excited about the future and what successes will happen. For me as a multidisciplinary author and artist, I'm open to what's ahead. It's yet to be defined, and yet it is definable.
Jackie Morreale (42:50)
What would you say to someone listening right now who feels creative but doesn't yet call themselves an artist?
R.G. Taylor (42:57)
You have to resolve that you're an artist. If you're not a practicing artist right now, maybe because you're doing other things right now, you just can't be that creative person.
Know that you are still an artist and that never changes.
Regardless of how your life is changing, how life is moving, you are still an artist and don't lose or change that identity because of how life is moving and changing. Always remain an artist.
Maybe an artist on hiatus, but you are an artist.
You are an artist who is learning new things. Maybe you're an artist who's starting to write, and you used to paint, or you're a writer, and you're starting to paint so you can illustrate your own works.
You're still an artist. It's the ability to say, 'I'm an artist and I am creative.'
It starts with that belief first that no matter what happens, you're creative, you are an artist.
Jackie Morreale (43:51)
Beautiful. I could just replay that minute every morning when I wake up. That is your core, that is your identity. Thank you for that. It's beautiful.
R.G. Taylor (43:59)
You're welcome.
Jackie Morreale (44:00)
If someone identifies as an artist, they have a creative idea, perhaps it's a book, perhaps it's a brand, perhaps it's for an image of some kind, a painting, a piece… what's their very first move?
R.G. Taylor (44:10)
I say, DO IT! Start it.
Have the audacity to put it in the painting, sing the song, write the book, play the instrument, just have that audacity to believe you can do it and step out into it.
Take the action.
Make it happen. Step by step. You know, there's a song, it's, sing, sing a song.
Doesn't matter at all if it's not good enough.
It is good enough for you because you're an artist. You are able to create.
You take control. You make it happen. You're going to play the music. You're going to act the role. You're going to do it.
You try something new, and it's not perfect, that's fine. We're way past that as humans.
At this stage in our life, we are failing or we failed at something.
We're not in school anymore. We're not like, 'Get a passing grade or fail.' You can't fail anymore.
You can only learn things.
If you try something artistic like painting, you can't fail at it because you tried it.
You keep learning and say, 'I don't like how I painted that. I'm going to add something else. I'm going to become better at my painting or my writing.'
Jackie Morreale (45:10)
Exactly!
R.G. Taylor (45:20)
As an artist at your core, you still do it. It doesn't matter that it's not there. What did you learn? What do you want to do better? What do you want to improve on?
You take risks if you want, you step out of comfort zones.
You try things, and get rid of the lens that says, 'I don't want to you know you can't fail, you're going to learn something. That makes it much better to go for it, because there's no preemptive necessity to be perfect in it.
You're an artist. You're creating something.
So many artists get in their head and don't try new things. That's how I became a multi-disciplined artist; I've said, I'm going to try.
I'm going to do it. I'm going to make mistakes, but they're not mistakes. I'm just learning, and I'm getting better, and I keep learning more.
It's a wonderful way to approach things. I encourage people who are like, do I create or not? Yes, you absolutely should create.
You absolutely should do it without any strings on yourself because you are creating something that has never ever existed on this planet, ever.
Why would it be wrong? How could it be wrong? It's new.
Jackie Morreale (46:32)
I totally agree. There are so many quotes, but man, the ones that just came out of your mouth right now, they're going in the mantra every morning. They should be the next Spike book. I love the rhythm of it.
R.G. Taylor (46:41)
My gosh, wow.
Jackie Morreale (46:45)
I love that you have to empty out your mind of that paragraph or of whatever, just to get it out there because you need to, to get into that flow and to learn and grow as a person. there's so much there to putting yourself out there that even could extend to people. Get out of your head and put it out there. Break that white canvas or that blank page.
R.G. Taylor (47:06)
Start it. Just move forward and start it. If you take out that you can't fail, and you take out that you can't do it wrong, and that what you can do is learn from what you're doing, wow, what a relief.
Jackie Morreale (47:19)
Wow, it's light. Feels effortless and then it's fun and that's usually when you do your best work.
R.G. Taylor (47:22)
You've removed all the parameters. You just blew them open and said, 'I'm just going to do this.'
Some of my writing will never, and I mean ever, see the light of day by anybody else. It's not for them, I had to write it and get it out of me.
Some of my paintings, they're in this closet. They will never be seen until I'm gone but I had to paint them.
I had to write that.
I had to because it was blocking my flow, but I did it because I'm not going to be wrong. I'm allowing my creative process to kick in.
I'm just going to learn stuff and learn and learn and learn and learn. Then you evolve.
Jackie Morreale (47:46)
Right.
R.G. Taylor (48:01)
Then you get better, and you improve and improve, and things start to flow really well for yourself. It's just so important that you just do it and take away these barriers and just say, 'I'm an artist, I create, and today I'm going to do XYZ.'
Jackie Morreale (48:16)
That literally changes the world because nothing like it has been created before.
Man, can we do this every day?
R.G. Taylor (48:21)
Right? I've so enjoyed this; just talking and sharing. I love your questions. They're spot on. Thank you. I'm an open book. Ha ha ha.
Jackie Morreale (48:33)
Any shout-outs to people who are doing great things, whether it's at the Peach or beyond, or people who may have helped you get to where you are today?
R.G. Taylor (48:39)
Yes, sure. My second-grade teacher spotted my artistry at a younger age, all the way to college professors I've had, like Dr. Laura Holland, Sheldon Patinkin from the National Jewish Theater in Chicago, and Michael Maggio at the Goodman Theater in Chicago.
All my Peach colleagues, Trina Slade-Burks with the No More Starving Artists Foundation. Of course, my dad and my mom and their influence, and my kids.
There's the RG collective of people to thank. The broadcast isn't long enough to list, but thank you for the opportunity.
Jackie Morreale (49:12)
Absolutely! What is next for you?
R.G. Taylor (49:15)
I'm working with a couple of other strategic partners to take things to the next level. We talked about my shirt, support living artists, the dead ones don't need the money.
I'm looking to create that into something much more. I'm working with strategic partners. I want to make a movement with that initiative and invite all the different artists, so actors and musicians and everyone that is, an artist, authors, illustrators, musicians, singers, poets, ceramicists, photographers, living artists because they can use the money and they support themselves this way. It's so important that we do that and we can.
It means so much to have someone purchase your work and want it displayed in their home, office, or somewhere.
It goes so long in their happiness, knowing that their piece brought you happiness and joy or reading their book or watching their movie just made a difference for them.
That's what's ahead, and things are moving in that direction.
Jackie Morreale (50:22)
to see what becomes with this year in residence at the Peach and so many amazing things for you and the entire collective!
R.G. Taylor (50:30)
Thank you so much. I want to shout out to you because I know you just hit a milestone of 50,000 subscribers. Jackie, what on earth is that about? Way to go to you. Huge congratulations to you. Phenomenal job.
You are winning! Congratulations. That's not even enough words as an author to be able to say it. There needs to be a new word, but like ‘Uta Bagata’ or something. I'll have to create just a new word or something for just the expression of saying congratulations and all this.
Jackie Morreale (51:05)
You're so sweet. Thank you so much.
It's the same stuff, what you said, I will say to myself every day, about growth. You have to be willing to put yourself out there and ask people the tough questions and then listen actively and see how it can apply to your own life, and just follow your gut, right? And that's...
R.G. Taylor (51:24)
That's it!
Jackie Morreale (51:24)
For me, that's it. I love surrounding myself with awesome people like you. I've learned so much.
R.G. Taylor (51:30)
Take the wins. You have to celebrate all the wins. Again, congratulations. Way to go.
Jackie Morreale (51:35)
Thank you so much, R.G. Thank you for your words of wisdom, and I will see you soon.
R.G. Taylor (51:40)
Thank you for the opportunity. I will see you on April 4th at the Peach’s Art Walk!
Jackie Morreale (51:43)
See you on the fourth! Take care. Bye.
R.G. Taylor (51:45)
Take care, bye.
To learn more about R.G. Taylor, visit: rgtaylorbooks.com
To learn more about The Peach, visit: thepeachwpb.com
To learn more about No More Starving Artists Foundation, visit: nmsaf.org
Continued reading, recommended by R.G. Taylor:
Spike and the Holiday Parade. Published April 20, 2023. By R G Taylor (Author).
|
Atlas Shrugged. Published September 1, 1996. By Ayn Rand (Author).
|
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