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Show 4 ! v significance. A diamond says that you have taken a vow, that you are wealthy or want the world to think you are. A birthstone says, look I was bom . . . To the ancient Chinese the ruby was a symbol of love. And the beautiful opal became an omen of bad luck. Before he will make a piece of jewelry for someone, Mr. Taylor talks to the person, finds out about his personality, his likes and dislikes and what is important to him. He starts with the stone he plans to use and designs the setting around the stone. Gemstones, like people, do not have the same size, shape, color or personality and it is hard to take a mounting and then try to find a stone to fit it, he explained. MR. TAYLOR, an art instructor at Ben Lomond High School, Ogden, describes himself as a maker of things rather than an artist. I did my masters thesis on mixed media. The broader the base you have, the more you can stimulate, he declared. ' x And the scope of his artistic accomplishments is broad indeed. His creations range from tapestries to stained glass, from taxidermy to sculpture, from etchings to delicate water colors and vibrant oils and from creations of fur and feathers to exquisite pieces of jewelry. DIVERSIFIED? NOT REALLY! Theyre all so closely related once youve accumulated the tools and materials. You have an idea and it has to be expressed. Art is an extension of ones self. While the outcome is different, depending on the media you use, the caring, the the procedures are the same sweating. One of his favorite art forms is tapestry but I swear I will do no more! They are too g. For his tapestries, Mr. Taylor started from scratch. I sheared the sheep, spun the wool into yam, gathered vegetables for the dye and made my own loom. I brought it all the way. " I x u H rrr -"- ; - - i t HIS TAXIDERMY REFLECTS sculptural qualities in the mounted birds. I have stuffed birds for 20 years and, pheasants, quail, peacocks although it pays well, someday I am going to get out of the bird business. Mr. Taylor has surrounded himself with stained glass artistry. Most of his windows have been replaced with stained glass panels. Atop his house he has constructed a tower paneled with stained glass humming birds, fish, snails, crabs, ducks, insects and flowers all glow with rays of light. While he enjoys his role as an art instructor kids today are bright, beautiful, eager and if he could do what he wanted to do, he intelligent would paint. THE QUALITY MAY not be the same in the end product, but I would rather paint because of the speed with which you can create beauty. I can paint any of the things I make much more quickly and use less material. But I like the vitality of kids. I can see their potential and theyre beautiful. And I like haring. Its an important part of being alive. After a kid has been in my class I hope he will be more aware of whats in the world. Hopefully, the seeds I plant will grow and make a difference in that persons life. Despite his creative abilities and artistic talents, Mr. Taylor does not consider himself an inventor. But I can make any kind of adornment or decoration. I realize Im not far along any of these roads, but Im struggling. If I can contribute to the arts in my small way, I think I should. . I i, 1 i 4 J '1 i . . . '"V S'-'"T? A i t .? ' '' - - tv - v 4 f W v4K 4 3 . .r-- - The Salt Lake June At left, Mr. Taylor wears his enormous silver and gemstone necklace weighing three pounds, and above, one of his 29, 1980 tapestries. II t I 5 |
