At least 20 portraits

I wanted to tell you about how I learned to draw the whole process since  some people have reached me and they were interested to know. 

So when I started out drawing. I did it with an intent to be able to send things to my family. 
I was inspired by a cellmate I had who was very good at drawing, and mind you the only drawing utensils I had were pen and paper. not even a real pen either we are talking just the inside ink tube of a pen with a piece of rubber around it. ya really primitive. that was the environment they were called flex pens. 

At first I made a stick figure look bad. I had no concept for depth. and my shapes were way off. so I spent hours and hours, weeks turned into months and I finally was able to do some basic stuff roses and flowers and skulls. the shading were hard for me to figure out and with an ink pen it is no small task. I put a lot of hours into it I started to practice for 4 5 sometimes even 6 hours a day until i had confidence and was able to really put down something that i liked a lot; by the time that I got to a place were I was able to buy art supplies I got into doing pencil work charcoal and still ink pen because it is so crisp and clean i like it a lot. then i started to mess around with portraits a bit because it was something that I always wanted to do. 

When I first started with portraits I sucked at it, my eyes were crossed and my proportions off. It was much harder than I had thought it would be. I really didn't have much help, I got a few pointers long the way, however the guys that I knew only a couple that are very good at them would hold tight to there secrets; I got a couple of books and little by little figured it out, I spent a good six months working on eyes to really make them the focus and I think that they are what really draws a person in and is the focus and what brings the life into the picture. Don't get me wrong the other features also are very important but the eyes are the key; Once I got it down, i started to do a lot of portraits and I  spent a few years doing nothing but portraits, I could say that I have done hundreds of them by now. each one is different presenting challenges of there own, as we are all unique in our own way. 

I strive to deliver a better piece of art each time, to breath life into the paper, creativity is such a wonderful thing. Doing portraits takes so much patience and hours. 

Recently I was giving somebody some art lessons and they just want to know the magic formula to get how to do them like I do. He thought that it looked so easy and then when he gets down to actually implementing the stages and steps of the drawing it is seen in a whole different light,  as I was able to do things with precision and work the led around the paper he just could not. I told him what I tell everybody:  it takes hours and hours of practice and  it will take you at least 20 portraits just to figure it out, 50 to really get good,  hundred and you will know what you are doing. 


By now I understand the dynamics and fundamentals and  I would consider myself an expert, but I have put the hours in. they say that it takes 10,000 hours to master something and I am close to that; I would say that roughly 15-20 hours per portrait but that also depends on how big it is, personally for me the bigger the better, you can achieve more detail and realistic image if you go big. however it definitely takes more hours. 

When working on a portrait generally i will do the layout of the features first, a sketch outline, then I start with the eyes and shade those in, then the nose down to the mouth. then go around to the cheeks the jaw and chin, then up to the forehead, hair and after that I go back and refine the areas darken then shadow and use my eraser to highlight the light spots, and then move down to the close and rest of the pic and background. 

It takes a lot of time and focus to get these portraits done with accuracy, not to mention all the years of drawing practicing training the eye and hand to work together to create realism from nothing. 

Thank you for listening to my story and maybe this can give you some more insight into how i learned how to draw and what goes into it, as a lot of people think that it is something that just comes so easily.

It is up to me

What I am doing in my life.

Time fly's when you stay busy, so I am doing several things to stay occupied and productive.I love to produce and learn new things and grow as a person, often times in this environment of prison especially, but in life also people get complacent and therefore don't move forward. and we are constantly in motion so if your not moving forward then your moving backwards. I am challenging myself to be successful despite my life in prison sentence that I currently have I won't use that as a crutch to be complacent and let my life rot away. I have faith that my life has purpose and meaning as do each and every life. and I am determined to live up to that and be successful in fulfilling God's plan for me. 

This is what a typical day looks like for me, 

I wake up around 6:45 am and then get ready for the day and start out doing Spanish studies until breakfast. 

After breakfast I go to work and get done around lunchtime, after lunch I practice piano I have a keyboard in my cell and am learning music, it is very fascinating. when I learned to play guitar a little bit it wasn't formally by any means just how to play some chords and I just went from there learning timing and whatnot but on the keyboard I'm learning everything and there is definitely a lot to it. I am attending a music class which I attend once a week also. 

After that I draw I love to draw and paint I have a passion for creating something from nothing. I love art in all forms. it is such creative expression and a way to release your emotions in a healthy way and share yourself as a piece of me goes into every work of art in which I produce. 

Also, each day whenever my gym time is I go and lift weights I enjoy exercising, and also eating good. so whenever my gym is I squeeze that into my schedule. 

I also talk with my wife several times a day which is the highlight of my normal days. 

Dinner is between 5-530, after that have a couple more calls with wifey, then I go and do home work and study, 

Also, I am enrolled in college, and am working on a bachelor's degree in Theology and I enjoy more and more the study of God. 

On Monday evenings I go to the law library, and do research on my case working towards a relief from this erroneous conviction, and throughout the week I pull my legal work out and read and study. 

On Thursday new nights I assist in teaching a painting class it is satisfying to be able to share my knowledge with the next person so they may share my passion for arts and enjoy the struggle and process of learning.

I don't watch much TV, I watch a few shows here an there. I have been watching tyrant recently, although I am getting somewhat bored with it. I watch some of the political soap opera and see how it unfolds with each new piece of dirt that comes out on both candidates that are running for president it is unreal that these are the people that we put up to be president. 

Anyways this is an overview of what my days look like, thought I would share with you.

Reflections

It feels as though I am in a perpetual state of turmoil, as I am now in a world of criminals and feel as if I don't belong here.Where I once thrived I now find myself with anxiety and realization of what life is really about. But yet I'm trapped in this world and it is going to be a constant fight to someday regain my freedom.

So this last week having time to myself, locked in a cell, has really made me reflect on life and where I'm at. While I am not happy about my physical location, I am happy about the man I've become. Looking back on who I was, I don't even recognize that boy anymore.


I have become a man that is respectable, and I like the person I see when I look in the mirror. I believe I can be a productive member of society, I believe I can give back to the community to outreach the youth of America and show them that I am living proof of change.


I believe in another chance, especially for people who were so young, and have shown a change.


The world in which I live in, within these walls, is very much against my ideals and to change. I often receive criticism for the way I operate and conduct myself. Sometimes referred to as "soft", or "scared", a "square", "not down". I will be all that but I'm proud of who I've become. A man of morals, not the morals of a criminal, but the morals of a good person.


We are always going to have those who criticize and condemn. The ones who want to hold you down. But I always look to rise above, beyond and move forward.


If I were able to enter back into society, given a second chance, I know that I would do great, I have a great support system of family and friends. I know who I am, what I want and I know where I am going. With my dark past, I can do only one thing, that is to continue to move forward toward the light.


And I won't stop,  I will continue to work hard every day for the betterment of myself and those around me. Not through words but by actions. To lead by example as I have done and I'm doing right now being involved in positive things such as furthering my education (I have 3 certificates related to Small Business Management and I'm currently learning a second language), my artwork which I enjoy sharing with the outside world, and volunteer programs such as "Build a Bear Program" in which I have been involved for more than 2 years. In addition, I will be helping to teach painting. As you already know Art is my passion and I want to share it with my fellow man around me.



Thank you for your time. Please feel free to contact me with questions.
Have a wonderful day.

Taylor Conley

Love

To me the #1 rehabilitating factor is love and support.

For me, what made me realize there was more to life and seeing the error in my ways and to care about something again and take responsibility, it was love.

Love changed me. Plain and simple. I am the man I am today through love and heartache and ultimately to find my soul mate. As corny as that may sound and may be it is the plain and simple truth. That is not to say that at one point I thought "well if this doesn't work out, I will just revert back to my old ways", no, I had come far enough to realize that I wanted to be a better person regardless , asking myself  "Why should I do that? "Just at that moment of clarity I was blessed to meet the love of my life. And wow how my life changed even more.

To be able to connect with somebody on a whole next level. And to understand as well as be understood. The feeling that this brings is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I cannot even begin to describe how much more life makes sense, my whole life I've never known what I wanted or what I wanted to do, but now everything is so clear and my life together with my fiance makes perfect sense. Even if at the moment were this journey will end up is not clear. I am confident having a sense of security within about everything working out. It almost seems strange that a man in my position having such an optimistic outlook, I feel that life has given me a chance to make something out of nothing, and turn a life that was going nowhere, into a life that could change lives someday.

What we have a lot of people wouldn't understand. And I want to go further into explaining that so maybe people could understand this what has been called a "taboo". I have written a book, it is a book of poetry but it also tells a story and within the story is a journey through love, loss, heartache, prison, how I've changed and who I've become. I am still in the process of doing illustrations. All of the book is illustrated. So I'm excited to get that done.

Thank you for listing again please bear with me, I am new to this, but I enjoy expressing myself and sharing with whomever has an open mind enough to read it.

Please check out http://www.tomtaylorsfineartplace.com/ if you would like to preview some of my work or learn more about me, if you are interested in art work check me out. I love to do portraits I am good with black and grey that is my specialty. I have awesome deals and quality work they make wonderful gifts, great for a keepsake of your kids, to capture a special memory, a loved one, family portrait, valentines, anniversary, wedding, any occasion is going to be something I would love to capture and bring life for you.

Take care until next time

Tom Taylor

Lock Down - My experience

Hey there, hope your day is going well, this time I want to tell you some about what this lock down experience has been.

The first day it was bad because in my cell there isn't a toilet so the cops have to open the door during lock down to go to the bathroom, well they didn't open the door for restrooms for hours. And I had to go. Luckily I have a coffee jar so I end up using that. I have been sick, like had a fever, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, a typical cold. And I was just coming down with it on that day. Because of that I really didn't do a whole lot on the first 3 days , we were all locked in, no shower, no phone, no anything. Only out 2 at a time for the restroom. There is roughly 80 or so people in my unit so it could take a while before getting to go to the restroom. Did I mention the coffee jar? Good thing for that, right?. On the third day I got to take a shower. But still no phone. I was really missing my sweetheart a lot. Worried how she was. Thankfully I got to talk with my babe on the fourth day and it was wonderful to hear her sweet voice again. 

So then the next day was a shower, then had a good conversation with baby the following day. It has been every other day one is shower, one is phone, Today was a shower day. We shall see what happens tomorrow. The last notice they gave us said that we were on lock down through today. So hopefully tomorrow will be some more phone time, anyways I have been very productive during this last week.

I have been alone in my cell this whole time. Shortly before this incident occurred they had moved my celly to another unit and I have not gotten a new one yet. So it actually has been really nice to be able to have my own space during this lock down. I have been able to get a lot done. I've wrote a lot, finished a couple of paintings. So far have done 6 pieces for my book. I went through all my belongings and reorganized my stuff, consolidated it, and have a lot more order in my life. However, it has been hard not speaking with my lady she is a huge part of my life and we always talk, so not being able to is difficult, But I know that everything will be ok and it has really put into perspective for me how real it is, how much I love her and what a huge roll she plays in my life.

Now I am tired I have been working all day. So I'm going to go but please don't forget to checkout http://www.tomtaylorsfineartplace.com/ and don't be shy, ask me a question give me your feedback, or with me a suggestion. Take care and have a good day.

Tom Taylor. 

Out of the Prison's Cycle

In this world of evil, I walk a fine line to good in a bad place. Like walking a tight rope.
Everyday there is a new challenge whether it be from an asshole cop who thinks there job is to make our lives in here a living hell, or it be some jerk in here who has something to prove or is stock in the cycle of prison politicizing that he can't think outside the box. Thinking outside the box is what I have to do. As most are so limited with what they feel they can do. No able to expand their thinking.

Prison can definitely do that to a man if you let it.  Become a victim of the cycle. Wake up go to breakfast, and sit around playing poker or pinnacle talking bad about this guy or that guy, or who's the toughest, waiting or gym and yard to come, then go to gym, yard and back to cards, and watching T.V. then the cycle just keeps going until they get in trouble for whatever doing drugs, fighting, whatever it maybe.

So instead I keep myself busy from the time I get up till later at night then relax, I want to make something of my life. I realize who I was and I don't like that kid. But the man I've become has learned from those mistakes and grown to become talented skilled and to fulfill my place in life. Just striving for another chance in society. The time will come of that I am certain, with God in my heart and the most amazing woman by my side I know I will see the light of day. Until that day comes, I've got to stay strong and keep marching forward, a lone soldier to the beat of my own drum, not letting my negative environment pull me down.

Tom Taylor.

Here I'm

I am new to doing Blogs.
I've read some about them.
And I like the idea.
So bear with me on getting started.

I enjoy writing. I have a book in the works, well it is written however I am still in the process of illustrations. 

Basically what I want this blog to be about is what life is like on the inside. There is so many shows on T.V. lock up and all that. But they are just trying to hype up violence and giving a perspective that is just one aspect. Not to mention they embellish a lot. So I want to give you my perspective and share with you my experience. Raw and uncut. And share with you the man I was to the man I've become.

I'm not proud of what I've done, but I am proud of who I've become. Life works in mysterious ways. And I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. 

But we still have choices to make, and when we make these decisions we have to live with the consequences. Whether negative or positive.

I invite you to tune in to what comes next. I invite you to ask questions and make comments.

I understand that people judge and think that I should be condemned.
People are entitled to there opinion. I am here to enlighten a possibility, to open peoples mind to see that change, real change and redemption is possible.

That is for now, I hope that I can catch your interest and you'll be back. Thanks for your time.