Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Reeve.
Taylor, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Where do I even begin? I’ve sort of been all over the place in my career – physically and material-wise – but I truly don’t have any complaints.
I am from Encinitas (exactly 2 hours south when traffic is cooperating). Mexican food, the beach, surfing, skating.. even snowboarding were all things I enjoyed growing up. I was my Dad’s little tomboy and enjoyed the things he did. Being a part of the action sports scene rubbed off on me and definitely had an influence on my art at an early age. Brands like Volcom, Droors, and DC, were places I could see myself working and inspired me at like 15.
While in high school, I took screen printing at night (for fun!) and would print my artwork on T-shirts and tank tops ~ I would then take them to school the next day and sell them out of my backpack at lunch. It gave me confidence and drive to realize I really could do something with my art one day.
I went to Long Beach State for college and studied graphic design with an emphasis on studio art. I realized quickly that graphic design was a tad boring, and I really didn’t feel challenged. They had us designing the same old business card or brochure, and it just wasn’t for me at the time. The studio art side really had my attention, and I dove into those classes. I was painting on anything and everything that came my way. You name it; I painted on it – shoes, helmets, motorcycles, surfboards, canvas… I began to grow a name for myself, and all sorts of people were reaching out to get their gear customized from all over the country.
I am a fashion lover and love to get gussied up and hit the town. I was already painting on tennis shoes when it hit me, I should paint on some of my high heels! I always test-run custom painted items to make sure they’ll wear and tear ok – so I painted a pair of heels and took them out. I painted everywhere on them. The uppers were scuffed immediately, but the soles were pristine. I realized I was onto something because no one was doing this at the time. I believe it was 2010, and my sister let me know about a website called Etsy. She’s like, “Put your heels on there! See what happens!”. So I did just that – and wouldn’t you know, they went viral!
I was painting on heels that I liked; they were not my own brand (of shoes). I called them “TaylorSays”… that was my ‘art name’ at the time, and your shoes really do say a lot about you. They were high, loud, and quite the conversation starter. I was painting around 30 pairs a day, and doing everything – from shipping, taking pictures, customer service, etc etc. It was truly an exciting time and life was good. I had some partners approach me and ask if I would like to create a line of shoes and put them into production – so the soles would be printed and I could design the shoe and really tell a story. I was like, are you breathing?! OF COURSE, I would. That was the dream, the goal all along. I could now design the shoe myself, tie it in with the sole, and really create a wearable piece of art.
Things were great for a while. I was designing a full line of shoes and we were selling them all over the world. Dubai loved them… Hell, even Whoopi Goldberg was a fan! She ordered like eight pairs – put her name on the invoice and everything. I was like, this has to be fake – so I called the phone number on the invoice… and it WAS HER!!! We talked for like 15 minutes.. I’ll never forget this line she said… “My style is like I rolled out of bed… but my shoes… my shoes do all the talking. ” It was amazing. At the 2014 Oscars, she did an onstage dedication for The Wizard of Oz’s 75th anniversary and wore the ‘Topeka” high heels from my collection – they were ruby rhinestone high heels with Dorothy and the Wicked Witch on the sole.
Anywho – then LIFE happened. My partners were sketchy and greedy and wanted my brand to themselves. They ended up FIRING me – yes firing!! And tried to proceed without me. They attempted to steal my designs and try to Photoshop them into new ones. It was a mess. I took them to court and had a full-blown panic attack. I lost everything. TaylorSays eventually went under, and I felt like I went through a divorce. Woof!
I’ve done freelance design work over the years and finally saved up enough cash to relaunch my high heels all on my own. I learned a helluva lesson in the first round and wanted to do things my way. I was calling it “Taylor Reeve” – my actual name. I grew up after TaylorSays and didn’t want anything to do with it. The collections would be small – and made using PU material – so they were vegan-friendly and half the price. After months of delays – and a year in the making – my first collection shipped. I swear I can’t make this up – but of all times to arrive. – COVID was going down in full force. The world shut down, and no one was going out (lol), let alone wearing heels. BUT my followers were still there, and the collection did well… I realized though that I was tired and mentally beat up. I was back living in San Diego and randomly got the opportunity to move out here (to South Bay) and basically start over.
So I’m doing just that!
South Bay is very similar to San Diego. It reminds me of home, yet there’s an edge here that’s exciting. I’m obsessed with El Segundo and love cruising the coast rather than taking the 405. I’m focusing on painting again, and to be honest, it feels really good! Ideas are flowing, and I’m feeling like myself again – and like this is now home. I’m back to my roots – screen printing designs onto apparel and painting on anything and everything. My goal for 2024 is to have an art show somewhere around here – and get my name out there again.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has NOT been smooth… I come from a supportive family who taught me that I can do anything – and to never give up. My Mom passed away on November 22′ from brain cancer and dementia, and it has been the longest goodbye for the last 20 years. She was my inspiration to keep going.
So I’m going to pass that along – my best advice for anyone out there – be your biggest fan and never give up. When times are tough, things WILL get better.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is colorful, fun, and abstract. My paintings and designs always have little easter eggs hidden within them. I always hide the number 44 within my art. That number is special to me, and it’s fun to see if people notice it. I paint and design to make people smile – my work does not have any deep meaning. It’s more a reflection of my life and what makes me happy too. My shoes put me on the map, so I am most proud of that. I also freehand everything. No matter how large the project. I recently just painted at a music festival in Oregon and painted a 12 x 24 foot wall with a brush – that was the largest piece I have ever done – it was a challenge – but a fulfilling one. The piece came out sic, and I really had fun doing it too!
I’ve also worked with brands and have done artist series for them, such as:
Quiksilver = men’s snow outerwear collection.
DC Shoes = womens, created a line of shoes… which was a dream since I’ve been a fan since I was a kiddo
Dragon Eyewear = did a sunglass and moto goggles
But again, seeing my shoes on women from all around the world – making it their own and rocking the hell out of it – really meant everything.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
In 2nd grade, my teacher would teach us an art project every Friday. I loved this and always looked forward to it. She was an artist herself, so little did us 2nd graders realize we were in good hands. One Friday, she asked if I wanted to teach the lesson… I couldn’t believe it – lil ol meeeee?! She stepped out of the room, and I was in charge. I felt like I was the president, lol. It was a drawing of a cat – and I kid you not – I can still draw that same cat today if you asked me.
Pricing:
- $350 Kicks
- $25-1000+ paintings on canvas
- $15-65 Printed apparel
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taylorreeve.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heytaylorreeve
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heytaylorreeve
