Work samples
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MTaylor, Tavin Parker, Navie & ThomasMaxine began teaching 6-12 year olds the basics of art in April 2019. The class will soon be funded in order to provide free lunch and materials in this opportunity for local community children. There have been 28 children from 15 families participating in classes to date.
About Maxine
As an artist I have been interested in sharing my knowledge and love of self-expression within East Baltimore. Developing community access through my non-profit partnership with Fusion as Madeira Street Axis, I have broadened my reach to include youth and adults in teaching local art classes at MAXgallery. An interesting development has resulted in the parents who bring their children to Saturday's Child class have participated and added to the program through their own inventive ideas. … more
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2023 Maxine Taylor: Strength From the Past
Post-Covid19 finds me (like everyone around me) struggling to return to my normal creative self.
2016 Finding New Means of Expression
Freeing artwork from the frame.
1/ Over the years, collage has helped me to develop my vision. "Negative Space" begins the year 2016 that is totally focused on collage. Torn artworks of 140# cold pressed Arches watercolor paper from my archives. Studying this piece and seeing the power of the negative space focuses me on the relationship between the layers. There are at least three paintings in "Negative Space," The pieces are put together with pH neutral medium and mounted on 1/4" plywood. Hardware attached for hanging 2/ "Greater Than Square" was the second in this current series which began with the large "Negative Space". This collage, "Greater Than Square" demonstrates the power of removing my brush oriented artwork from a rectangle. It has been coated with pH neutral medium and mounted on 1/4" plywood. Hardware attached for hanging.
3/ A more recent collage, "Finding Expressive Means", done in the fall of 2016, continues to show the expressive capability of assembling torn paper.
1/ Over the years, collage has helped me to develop my vision. "Negative Space" begins the year 2016 that is totally focused on collage. Torn artworks of 140# cold pressed Arches watercolor paper from my archives. Studying this piece and seeing the power of the negative space focuses me on the relationship between the layers. There are at least three paintings in "Negative Space," The pieces are put together with pH neutral medium and mounted on 1/4" plywood. Hardware attached for hanging 2/ "Greater Than Square" was the second in this current series which began with the large "Negative Space". This collage, "Greater Than Square" demonstrates the power of removing my brush oriented artwork from a rectangle. It has been coated with pH neutral medium and mounted on 1/4" plywood. Hardware attached for hanging.
3/ A more recent collage, "Finding Expressive Means", done in the fall of 2016, continues to show the expressive capability of assembling torn paper.
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Finding Expressive MeansFinding Expressive Means, collage, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, Arches 140# cold press paper, mounted on board coated with acrylic medium, 34x30, 2016
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Negative Space 50x50"Negative Space, collage, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, Arches 140# cold press paper, mounted on board coated with acrylic medium, 50x50", 2016
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Greater Than SquareGreater Than Square, collage of watercolor, acrylic, pastel, Arches 140# paper, 34x40", 2016
2015 Expanding into the Community
I continue to explore the addition of found materials to my paintings. The scope of my creative endeavors expands to include assisting inner city artists to find opportunities outside of their local communities.
This year during the Artscape Gallery Network I created a project entitled "Cross This Line" showcasing seven Baltimore artists of color, most of whom had never exhibited their work away from home. Also invited were five established artists, myself included, to introduced artistic disciplines that make the life of an artist so rewarding. Endeavors such as critiques and discussions about art in general, sharing perspectives, visits to art exhibits, interaction with other artists to identify skills for marketing and networking.
They have now tasted the many opportunities in Baltimore City, are learning to promote their own work, apply for exhibition opportunities and have developed a network for support.
Another artist, Kini Collins and I, established a workforce development program aimed at a broader range of inner city adults. We established and have begun East Side Works (ESW) in which we are creating a small business together with five adults to give our workers the confidence and skills needed to launch their own small businesses. We have applied for and received a grant and have crowdfunded nearly our entire operating budget for 14 weeks.
The mission of East Side Works is to produce affordable and trusted hand-made products that are created locally in East Baltimore by a diverse, collaborative workforce.
This year during the Artscape Gallery Network I created a project entitled "Cross This Line" showcasing seven Baltimore artists of color, most of whom had never exhibited their work away from home. Also invited were five established artists, myself included, to introduced artistic disciplines that make the life of an artist so rewarding. Endeavors such as critiques and discussions about art in general, sharing perspectives, visits to art exhibits, interaction with other artists to identify skills for marketing and networking.
They have now tasted the many opportunities in Baltimore City, are learning to promote their own work, apply for exhibition opportunities and have developed a network for support.
Another artist, Kini Collins and I, established a workforce development program aimed at a broader range of inner city adults. We established and have begun East Side Works (ESW) in which we are creating a small business together with five adults to give our workers the confidence and skills needed to launch their own small businesses. We have applied for and received a grant and have crowdfunded nearly our entire operating budget for 14 weeks.
The mission of East Side Works is to produce affordable and trusted hand-made products that are created locally in East Baltimore by a diverse, collaborative workforce.
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First Focus GroupInvitations were sent to people willing to look at new products and share their opinion. A very successful first effort.
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Meeting 4Exploring the possibilities in found and natural materials.
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East Side Works2015 saw the launch of East Side Works (ESW). Maxine Taylor and Kini Collins formed a partnership and are investing in Baltimore, our city and ourselves, by combining our 50+years experience making and selling artwork. ESW is a collaboration of 7 people, researching, designing, producing and selling hand made products. We are creating a sample business to gain the skills and confidence needed to launch a real business. With a generous grant from the Abell Foundation, we are up and running! And we're having fun!
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East Side Works LogoCreated by Ronald Rucker
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East Side Works first meetingEast Side Works meets regularly at MAXgallery, live in studio of Maxine Taylor in east Baltimore.
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Autumn Dervish (detail)Acrylic, mixed media with buttons, sand, sumi ink & fabric on gallery wrapped canvas. 30" x 72",
2014 Simplifying
Determined to peel away layers and reveal the basis of my art, this year was focused on allowing a glimpse behind the veil by showing only the base layer of my paintings.
Baltimore Rowhouses 2013
Revisiting the imaginary rowhouse imagery, refreshes my instincts for drawing.
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2013-10-fayettest-lores.jpg
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Sun Drenched RowsWatercolor, metallic pen on 130# arches watercolor paper, 15x11"
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Blue Doorsmixed media (watercolor, pastel, acrylic) on 130# arches rag paper 26 x 20"
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Windows and Doors (detail)mixed media (watercolor, pastel, acrylic) on 130# arches rag paper 26 x 20"
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Red Rowswatercolor on paper, 15x11"
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Sproutsmixed media on watercolor paper, 11x15"
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On the Avenuemixed media on 130# arches watercolor paper, 15x11"
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N.Collington St.mixed media on 130# arches watercolor paper, 11x15"
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2013-09-castlenorth-lores.jpg
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Shadow Citymixed media on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20x26"
Contemporary Movements 2012
Before I created the paintings that are now part of my Contemporary Movements collection, I reflected on the nature of my previous works. The large canvas of 2007-2009 were full of activity and dense brush strokes. At the time of those works, I had many ideas and feeling that I projected onto the canvas. These thoughts and emotions were at times, vibrantly alive and sometimes chaotic.
These works, though well-received, lacked the joy and playfulness of past my past works. It took some digging, but after studying my collections, style and process, I found my bliss again.Artifact was the first painting in the new series. With its simplistic nature, Artifact has renewed the spirit with which I began my career. It brings excitement and energy back to my brush and soul. When I step back from the canvas I appreciate the circle of life and my experiences.
These works, though well-received, lacked the joy and playfulness of past my past works. It took some digging, but after studying my collections, style and process, I found my bliss again.Artifact was the first painting in the new series. With its simplistic nature, Artifact has renewed the spirit with which I began my career. It brings excitement and energy back to my brush and soul. When I step back from the canvas I appreciate the circle of life and my experiences.
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Improv - City Over CityThis project was a result of a performance "The Red Door is Open" in Wright Theatre at University of Baltimore. The performance was a collaboration with composer Robert Hitz, artists Jessica Damen and Maxine Taylor. My painting City Over City was physically presented to the audience which collaborated through a discussion led by Kimberley Lynne. Subsequently Robert Hitz improvised the music you can hear on this audio track. The entire performance consisted of paintings by Jessica and Maxine, discussions led by Kimberley with Robert composing.
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City Over CityAcrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 43 x 45"
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Memories of HomeAcrylic with sumi ink, powdered pigment, on gallery wrapped canvas, 50 x 43"
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Pause, Rewind, PlayAcrylic with collage, sumi ink on canvas, 13 x 32"
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Urban BrightAcrylic with mixed media on canvas, 36 x 36"
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ArtifactAcrylic with mixed media on canvas, 36 x 33"
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Shift ChangeAcrylic with mixed media on canvas, 43x50
New Century, New Direction 2007
After focusing on language and movement within the urban landscape, I allow my work to find a new direction. My attention shifted to more fanciful realms and objects, the spaces in between and various nuances within these areas.
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Chopstick
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An After Glow
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Untitled
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Night Music
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Tree Mill Circle
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Space Trailer
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Ladder of Paper
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FlashcardAcrylic, powdered pigment, glass beads, sumi ink, pastel on gallery wrapped canvas, 44 x 52 x 2.5".
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Cowboy in the CityAcrylic, powdered pigment, pastel on gallery wrapped canvas, 38 x 52 x 1.5".
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Townhouse with a Black Line
Urban Views 1997 Integrating Baltimore
These figurative and geometric works, painted in 1997, embody my initial impressions of my newly adopted city -- Baltimore.
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Out of SchoolAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
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Abandonedblack acrylic, pastel on 130# arches watercolor paper
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StreetwiseAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
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JGAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
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Don't WalkAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
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City Over CityAcrylic on raw canvas, 46 x 54"
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Happy Afternoon HieroglyphicAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
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Child's PlayAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
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BentwoodAcrylic on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20x26"
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On the CornerAcrylic, pastel on 130# arches watercolor paper, 20 x 26"
The Metro Aesthetic/Seeking Language 1996
These collective works have recently been christened, The Metro Aesthetic because of the ease with which they blend into a chic urban setting. During their creation, I dubbed the series, Seeking Language. This collection represents a study of the varied ways people communicate with each other. Whether through witty banter, fluid conversation, or sound bites run amok, these paintings are an attempt to capture every syllable, on an array of levels.
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Guardian IIAcrylic on raw canvas. 60 x 40" canvas wrapped. Begun in 1995 before moving to Baltimore in 1997, Guardian was completed with the addition of white rectangles throughout the surface of the original painting. Thus I became aware of the impact of the rowhouses in my newly adopted city. Subsequently I began to focus on the buildings and draw and paint them.
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The Swingacrylic on 130# arches paper, 45 x 34"
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Dancer's DiptychAcrylic on 130# arches paper, 41 x 52", mounted on black painted canvas 44 x 55"
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Nineteen
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SkywriterAcrylic on raw canvas. 48 x 72"
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Seeking Language XIIWatercolor and acrylic on 130# arches w/c paper. Mounted on stretched black painted canvas, 36 x 45"
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Bound, Seeking Language XVI
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Fulcrum
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Showing Form
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Mother's Reflection