Meet Zeek Taylor | Artist & Author

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

Hi Zeek, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I would not have achieved a successful career if it had not been for the unwavering support beginning with my parents. When I moved to Eureka Springs, I was nurtured and encouraged at every turn by other artists and collectors. I was nominated by a friend and local artist for the Arkansas Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Due to that friend’s belief in me and my work and letters of support from local citizens listing reasons that I should get the award, I received that honor in 2012. The Lifetime Achievement Award was a major turning point in my career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a lifelong visual artist who works in watercolor and acrylics. I’ve been fortunate to have received national recognition and my work is in collections nationwide and in Europe. I employ vivid color and whimsy in my work with the hopes of bringing beauty and joy to a troubled world. While my work does contain some realistic images, I paint with a greater concern for style over realism and with a focus on pattern and color theory. The one rule that I adhere to is “break the rules.”
I’m also an author and my latest book, “Out of the Delta, the Anthology” was released by Sandy Springs Press this past October. I have received the honor of having a suite dedicated to me at the Writer’s Colony of Dairy Hollow,
My bio: An award-winning artist, Zeek Taylor has been the subject of many one-man exhibits and juried shows. He is the recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Art Award for Lifetime Achievement, and his paintings have hung in the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. He received the 2018 Idle Class Magazine Black Apple Legacy Award.
His work has been displayed on five occasions in the Arkansas Arts Center, three times in the prestigious Delta Exhibition, and two times in the International Toys Designed by Artists Exhibition. Zeek has earned several “Best of Show” awards.
A storyteller and writer, he has performed twice on the National Public Radio show “Tales from the South,” and his stories were heard by more than 130 million listeners worldwide. A StoryCorps interview with Zeek is on file in the Library of Congress. A segment of the interview aired on NPR’s Morning Edition and was heard by 50 million listeners. He gave a TedX talk in Bentonville, AR, and is the author of four published books: Chimps Having Fun, Out of the Delta, “Out of the Delta II, and “Out of the Delta, the Anthology.” Zeek lives and maintains a studio in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am fortunate to live in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a major tourist destination in the Ozarks that is visited by thousands of tourists each year. Because of the town’s historic Victorian structures, the entire town of 2,200 is listed on the National Historic Registry. Eureka Springs has a large artists population. and is known as “the place where misfits fit.” It’s estimated that one-quarter of the population of the village is composed of artists in many disciplines: fine arts, music, and writing. Eureka Springs has numerous galleries to visit, an art school, a summer opera program, and a writers’ colony. When I have visitors, it is easy to entertain them. I show them through the galleries and boutiques in our historic downtown, My favorite gallery is Curated, and not just because my work is featured there, but the gallery represents many of the finest artists in Northwest Arkansas. I also take them on scenic drives through the lovely Ozarks, attend nighttime live music performances in one of our many bars, and enjoy fine dining in one of our many award-winning restaurants. Some of my favorite eating establishments include Sparky’s, the Skybar, and Local Flavor. And there is always something going on in town including a many-day-long Mardi Gras, a blues festival, a month-long arts festival, Opera in the Ozarks, and seeing a parade. Eureka Springs is known for its parades and on average, one takes place every few weeks. We celebrate life and each other in Eureka Springs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my life partner Dick Titus for his unwavering support and for constantly telling me, You can do it.” I would also like to thank my many friends in the Eureka Springs arts community who have cheered me on and encouraged me at every turn.

Website: zeektaylor.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeek.taylor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVEk0UerVUHLRY1xpWy5Awg

Other: https://www.sandyspringspress.com/zeek-taylor/ https://www.writerscolony.org/post/the-writers-colony-at-dairy-hollow-announces-the-new-zeek-taylor-suite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNTI27NEFl0&t=6s