Meet Janny Taylor | Artist, Author, Creativity Coach

I see risk as an inherent part of life. You can’t explore, dream or discover without risk, so I do take risks, calculated risks. One of the biggest, most important risks I’ve taken was to resign, to quit, to move away from a truly remarkable job in corporate America where I was making a fair sum of money and enjoying the perks of being a part of that world. That said, I had a personal dream. To illustrate and write a book. Everyone, with the exception of my husband, thought that I’d lost my mind. The book, “Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal” went to auction. Four major publishing houses bid on her; she received critical acclaim from numerous publications from the New York Times to O, The Oprah Magazine, who deemed me a “kooky kind of genius.” My risk paid off and paved the way for me to live a fully creative life.

I am currently working on a series: “Cut, Paste, SCREAM: Collaging My Way Through the Pandemic One Variant at a Time.” I started this series in April in 2020. To date, I have created and posted over 350 pieces on my Instagram account @JannyTaylorCreates. I have been told that this work entertained a great number of people during the heat of the pandemic; that they looked forward to seeing “what’s up next.” What a compliment! I am delighted. If you scroll back to the beginning, you can see the journey unfold. I started with very simple collages, abstract in nature, and eventually made my way back to portraits.

Nothing is “easy” in life. You have to work for it all. Consistency matters. I consistently made my way to my collage table and created and in doing so a series came to light.

My favorite quote is from Kafka: Favorite quote:
“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”

I’d like the world to know that I am sitting at my table. I am still and solitary. I am ready for the world to unmask itself and roll in ecstasy at my feet and your feet, as well.

When friends and family visit, primarily from the east coast as that is where I hail from, we include in our “tour,” a ride to Gates Pass, a visit to the award winning Tucson Botanical Garden and Tohono Chul (cactus garden and art gallery). All local, easy and beautiful. A ride to the Mission of San Xavier del Bac is on the list. As well as a hike in the Catalina Mountains. For shopping, a visit to Bhava Wellness for incredible finds and at the Mercado Annex, where we nourish ourselves with a Beaut Burger. Tumerico is another restaurant that one needs to experience. All low key, all fabulous.