Member Interview

Who are you? Bre of btaylorquilts

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi There. My name is Briana Taylor, and I am the owner of btaylorquilts.etsy.com AND brianataylor.etsy.com. Obviously I chose the names of my shops by using my own name. Nothing like a little self promotion. As a fine artist, I find that you should associate any business you conduct using your own name. Anyway, that's what works for me. When showing in a gallery or exhibiting somewhere it's better to be known as yourself. I'd rather have someone say "that's a Briana Taylor painting" than "there's a painting by Oddball Oddities" (I'm sorry if there is a shop titled that, I just pulled it out of thin air :) I sell quilts and quilted home goods at btaylorquilts and paintings and prints at brianataylor.

I graduated from Mt. Holyoke College with a Bachelor's in Studio Art and English. Boy do I miss school ... I loved it!! Now, I split my time between quilting/sewing, painting, and working my full time job. I'm happy to say that my "real" job is within the arts world, I'm Coordinator for a local arts organization called Easthampton City Arts. A friend of mine and I have been awarded a grant through our local Cultural Council to paint a mural this summer and we are currently working on designs. All of this does not leave much time for a personal life, but I do manage to squeeze in socializing and going out for lunch and dinner a lot. I've just moved into a new home and am deep into remodeling and decorating, which I write about on my blog, artandcraftlife.blogspot.com. I spend a lot of time writing about daily art/craft life and personal things that I really am into.

Recently I've been asked to exhibit at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts here in Massachusetts. Turns out the curator came through my studio during December 2009 Open Studios and liked my work. She emailed me a few days later asking me to exhibit! The show is not until October 2011, but that gives me lots of time to produce about 18 new paintings for this show!

How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?

I had been friends with Laura Slocum (creativelytangled) before she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. When I first joined Etsy I made friends with Jenn Reese Robinson (jennreese7) and her niece Kelly (sweetnessjewelry) and was introduced to Laura through them (Laura being Jenn's sister). We collectively made lots of treasuries supporting each other's work and I consider them great friends, even though I've never met any of them in the flesh!

Personally, I've been involved with the American Cancer Society most of my life. My Uncle died from melanoma before he was even 40. I was 15 and he really was a surrogate father, taking me and my cousins on vacations and living right around the corner from us. It was a hard loss for me. Even harder, March 15 last year, my Mother died from melanoma as well. This month marks the one year anniversary on the Ides of March. She was only 71 and extremely active and healthy. My father passed away eight years ago from esophageal & lung cancer, and my maternal grandmother died from colon cancer. I, myself, have had skin cancer, but not the killer melanoma. Cancer has taken some very important people from me and I wholeheartedly support the ACS and the work they do.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?

My green quilt. I'm making one for myself! I'm also making another one for the shop simultaneously because you will note that it says "made to order" right now.

What favorite vintage or antique item do you own, and why do you cherish it?

My Mother's antique Governor Winthrop slant front desk.

What is your favorite handmade possession?

My Father traveled to Africa a lot. He brought me back a handcarved wooden owl from Chegutu, Zimbabwe, by Boswell Petse. I cherish this owl.

What do you collect?

Firstly, I collect fabric. I also collect vintage chalkware religious statues of saints. I love religious iconography, like Russian and Greek golden icons of the Madonna and St. George and such. I'm not a religious person, I just love the artwork and the history.

Where would you like to be and what do you hope to be doing ten years from now?

Pretty much the same thing, maybe working more on my own art work. I'd like to be featured on the Etsy "quit your day job" series!! I'd also like to find a life partner.

Thank you Bre, for allowing us all this peek into your thoughts, your art and your life!