Story & Lesson Highlights with Taylor Hungerford of Sherman Oaks

Taylor Hungerford shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Taylor , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
A little bit of both really. I’ve been trying to find my way through the crazy happenings of the world and my own artistic struggles. All the same, wild stuff is happening but I’m making the best of it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Taylor Hungerford, I go by the online moniker SilversparkPrintworks. It grew out of me needing to make show posters and content for my band Tar & Flowers and has since grown to include doing music videos and art for my fellow artists. What I do mainly revolves around music, but I also do menus for restaurants as well as other graphic design projects. It is a fun way to make a buck and am grateful for the opportunities I am given.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I have always been a creative and do everything I can to serve that. I have always managed to eke out a living doing creative things. I think the world right now is just telling people to get in line a move into something that’s comfortable, but I believe in doing what’s right for my soul. Hence I will probably never have a lot of money, but I will be spiritually satisfied.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering, as the question suggests, is always a teacher. We suffer when we don’t succeed, or sometimes bring it about by our own hand. I do not believe in failure – we either succeed or we learn. To get better, we must inevitably learn a few things. So long as suffering as viewed as something to grow from, where we see our mistakes or where we can improve, I believe it is an essential part of human existence.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I don’t know if it’s cultural but I think at some point everyone needs to learn the value of hard, intentional work. I think it’s easy enough to dig in and really commit to something but you also need to do it with a plan or some intention to get it right.,

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
When I make something I believe is authentic. I hate that weve branded art as “content,” or something that is made to be consumed. In this sense, everyone is just pedaling something to folks in hopes it sells. Truly great art is not commodifiable in this way. It comes from a place of purity where whether or not it sells isn’t a concern. That is the place I always try to return to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silversparkprintworks/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silversparkprintworks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@silversparkprintworks

Image Credits
Self Portrait: Nikki Nuemann

All other photos: Taylor Hungerford