Meet Taylor, a young and passionate artist who has seamlessly blended her love for surfing and Aboriginal Australian art. From winning a prestigious scholarship to creating breathtaking surfboard designs with SurfPaints, Taylor shares her journey, techniques, and the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision. Discover how this 13-year-old prodigy uses her unique style to tell captivating stories of the ocean and its ecosystem, encouraging artists of all levels to create from the heart.
1. Can you provide us with a brief background on your journey as an artist and tell us what you're currently working on in the world of art?
I began my art journey in 2023 when I received a Highly Commended award for my NAIDOC artwork from the Queensland government. From there, I went on to win the Young, Black, and Proud scholarship, a grant supporting young people's artistic, sporting, or academic dreams. This scholarship boosted my small passion into action. Because of the scholarship, I was able to release my first collaboration with a beach throw company in 2023.
I began my art journey in 2023 when I received a Highly Commended award for my NAIDOC artwork from the Queensland government. From there, I went on to win the Young, Black, and Proud scholarship, a grant supporting young people's artistic, sporting, or academic dreams. This scholarship boosted my small passion into action. Because of the scholarship, I was able to release my first collaboration with a beach throw company in 2023.
I’m only 13, so it was a pretty big deal for me. Currently, I have completed a commission piece for the Department of Education, and I am in the process of a collaboration with a local swimwear brand and designing packaging for a skincare company.
2. We'd love to know how you came across SurfPaints. What aspects of SurfPaints do you find most appealing or inspiring for your art?
I first came across SurfPaints when I started surfing a few years ago. I searched many shops but could never find them until I came across a small surf shop that finally stocked them. Right away, I pictured a design in my mind and knew I had to buy them. Unlike any other brand I had seen before, SurfPaints were the perfect way to combine my two passions—surfing and Aboriginal Australian art. SurfPaints inspired me to take my art to a new level and gave me the opportunity and confidence to create something that reflected me.
I first came across SurfPaints when I started surfing a few years ago. I searched many shops but could never find them until I came across a small surf shop that finally stocked them. Right away, I pictured a design in my mind and knew I had to buy them. Unlike any other brand I had seen before, SurfPaints were the perfect way to combine my two passions—surfing and Aboriginal Australian art. SurfPaints inspired me to take my art to a new level and gave me the opportunity and confidence to create something that reflected me.
3. Every artist faces unique challenges in their projects. Could you share specific challenges you've encountered in your art projects and how SurfPaints have been a helpful resource in overcoming these challenges?
In Aboriginal art, there are no standard colors, and every artist has a diverse and unique style. For me, I love neutrals and pastels that depict stories of the ocean and its fragile ecosystem. My colors don’t suit everyone, and it is sometimes hard to find the right medium. SurfPaints, with its wide range of colored pens, was a helpful resource to overcome this challenge and helped me to pursue my creative journey further.
In Aboriginal art, there are no standard colors, and every artist has a diverse and unique style. For me, I love neutrals and pastels that depict stories of the ocean and its fragile ecosystem. My colors don’t suit everyone, and it is sometimes hard to find the right medium. SurfPaints, with its wide range of colored pens, was a helpful resource to overcome this challenge and helped me to pursue my creative journey further.
4. Your painting projects are all unique and have captured our attention. Could you share with us your most favourite project and how you came up with the idea?
My favorite project using SurfPaints was when I created a story of the ocean and its connections to the land on my surfboard. After purchasing SurfPaints, I quickly designed a piece that promoted my ideas and told a sentimental storyline. Aboriginal art is a traditional technique that is not only renowned for its appealing features but also its unique ability to tell a story within itself. I came up with my project by drafting certain elements, like a running water connection, palm trees, and clusters of sea flowers. In my vision, these all represent the ocean and all its beauty.
Click here to learn how to paint your surface.
My favorite project using SurfPaints was when I created a story of the ocean and its connections to the land on my surfboard. After purchasing SurfPaints, I quickly designed a piece that promoted my ideas and told a sentimental storyline. Aboriginal art is a traditional technique that is not only renowned for its appealing features but also its unique ability to tell a story within itself. I came up with my project by drafting certain elements, like a running water connection, palm trees, and clusters of sea flowers. In my vision, these all represent the ocean and all its beauty.
Click here to learn how to paint your surface.
5. As an experienced artist, do you have any valuable tips or techniques that you could share with others interested in creating painting projects with SurfPaints?
A useful technique I recommend when using SurfPaints is to always draft your design before you begin painting and not to rush the process. Art doesn't adhere to a time limit and may take a few sessions before it's perfect—just like it did for me.
A useful technique I recommend when using SurfPaints is to always draft your design before you begin painting and not to rush the process. Art doesn't adhere to a time limit and may take a few sessions before it's perfect—just like it did for me.
Bonus Question:
As an artist, what message or piece of advice would you like to impart to other artists at all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, who are passionate abaout expressing themselves through this medium?
As an artist passionate about sharing and relating to various forms of art, I would advise creators of all levels to continue making art that reflects you and your passions, without altering it based on others' opinions. Create art that you genuinely love, not art that you feel obligated to love. For me, SurfPaints have been the best way to express my passions and illuminate my art journey.
-Taylor Scollay
As an artist, what message or piece of advice would you like to impart to other artists at all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, who are passionate abaout expressing themselves through this medium?
As an artist passionate about sharing and relating to various forms of art, I would advise creators of all levels to continue making art that reflects you and your passions, without altering it based on others' opinions. Create art that you genuinely love, not art that you feel obligated to love. For me, SurfPaints have been the best way to express my passions and illuminate my art journey.
-Taylor Scollay