Why Artist Debbie Taylor-Kerman Decided to Drop Her Career and Pursue Her Dream

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Why Artist Debbie Taylor-Kerman Decided to Drop Her Career and Pursue Her Dream"

Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Debbie Taylor-Kerman
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes

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Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart engages with local Harlem artist Debbie Taylor-Kerman to explore her transformative journey from a textile designer to a full-time fine artist. The conversation delves into Debbie’s latest exhibition, "More Love Now," her inspiration amid challenging times, and the profound role art plays in fostering community and resilience.

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Exhibition Overview: "More Love Now"

Debbie’s current exhibition, "More Love Now," is showcased at the Heath Gallery in Harlem and remains on view until May 3rd. The title embodies Debbie’s response to societal divisiveness, particularly under the current administration, emphasizing a message of love, acceptance, and tolerance.

Notable Quote:
“...it was sort of my act of resistance, really, you know, about, you know, expressing love, you know, and that's really what we want. We want more love, we want more acceptance, we want more tolerance...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [01:31]

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Artistic Journey: From Scotland to Harlem

Originally hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Debbie moved to New York City in 1991 and has resided in Harlem since 2006. Her Scottish upbringing in a working-class neighborhood, rich with community interactions, heavily influences her appreciation for Harlem’s vibrant diversity and communal spirit.

Notable Quote:
“I love Harlem. I fell in love with it the first time I walked around. ... all religions, and, you know, I just love that we coexist together in such a beautiful way...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [02:07]

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Transition to Full-Time Fine Art

Debbie began her New York career as a textile designer and later expanded into art licensing, creating products from Christmas ornaments to dinnerware. However, a pivotal moment came during the COVID-19 pandemic when the loss of her father deeply affected her, igniting a passion to pursue fine art full-time. This period of grief and reflection led her to channel her emotions into painting, particularly honoring essential workers.

Notable Quotes:
“...my dad actually died of COVID in Scotland. And he was one of the first people that I knew to die... I heard my dad's voice saying, put your paintings on the wall...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [03:21]

“...part of this collection was also inspired by a poem by Robin Brandtz. And it's about resisting, you know, and it's about resisting through love...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [13:21]

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Artistic Process and Materials

Debbie’s art is characterized by its mixed-media approach, utilizing acrylics, charcoal, crayons, collage, and gold leaf. She emphasizes layering—often building up seven to eight layers—to create depth and texture in her abstract figures. Her process is highly intuitive, guided by her current emotions, which influence her color choices and collage elements.

Notable Quote:
“...I don't worry about or I don't think about what the end result is. I have no preconceived ideas, so I just build. I build layers... how I'm feeling determines the colors...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [06:17]

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Themes and Inspirations

"More Love Now" explores themes of love, unity, and acceptance amidst societal tensions. Debbie incorporates symbols of joy and resilience, such as representations of the transgender community and celebration of diverse cultures. Her inspirations often stem from everyday life in New York City, particularly the diverse interactions observed in the subway, which she captures in her series "Subway Riders."

Notable Quote:
“Color is an expression of feeling. And I think bright colors can be joyful...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [07:19]

“I find it fascinating when you see people... falling asleep kind of nodding on each other. I find that just beautiful.”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [12:13]

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The Role of Art Today

Debbie passionately discusses the importance of art as a unifying force during uncertain times. She views art as a medium that connects people, offers hope, and serves as a form of resistance against negativity. For her, creating art is a cathartic process that not only aids her personal healing but also fosters communal strength and resilience.

Notable Quote:
“Because it connects people. It gives people hope... when we see people creating art in whatever form, it can give us hope, it can give us strength...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [13:21]

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Exhibition Details and Closing Remarks

"More Love Now" features 30 pieces, including three additional works selected by gallery owner Sondra to encapsulate symbols of love and peace, such as "Weeping Fathers," which portrays an Israeli and Palestinian father embracing. Debbie expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity to showcase her work and connect with the community through the upcoming artist talk on April 12th.

Notable Quote:
“...the first time this first administration came in, I had such anxiety about everything... no preconceived ideas... resilience through love...”
— Debbie Taylor-Kerman [07:19]

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Conclusion

This episode of All Of It offers a profound insight into Debbie Taylor-Kerman’s artistic evolution and her dedication to using art as a beacon of love and connection in challenging times. Through "More Love Now," Debbie not only honors her personal experiences but also invites the community to engage in a collective celebration of diversity, resilience, and hope.

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For those interested in experiencing Debbie's work firsthand, "More Love Now" is available at the Heath Gallery until May 3rd, with an artist talk hosted by Debbie on April 12th from 2 to 4 PM.

Transcript

[WNYC Studios]

Listener support WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. If you walk into the Heath Gallery on 24 West 120th street, you'll see new work from local artist Debbie Taylor Kerman. Debbie has lived in Harlem since 2006. She moved to New York in 1991 after a childhood in Scotland. Now, a few years ago, Debbie made a big change. She left her day job to pursue her dream of painting full time. She found herself caught up in a new creative direction fueled by our current political moment, the unrest of 2020, and her personal grief over losing a friend to Covid. You notice in the show that Debbie likes to work in specific materials like acrylic and charcoal collage and gold leaf. And she paints abstract figures mixed with pops of different color. You can see a sample of some of her on our Instagram llofitnyc. The show is called More Love Now. It's on view at heath Gallery through May 3rd. Debbie Taylor Kerman is hosting an artist talk on April 12th at the gallery from 2 to 4. And she's with me now in studio. By the way, happy belated birthday, Debbie.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Thank you very much.

[Alison Stewart]

The title of the exhibition is Love More Now. Why did you want that? Excuse me? More Love Now. Why did you want to name the show that?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Well, I think just with the current. What's happening with this current administration, there's just so much divisiveness. People like they're pitting people against each other. And I just wanted it to be about love, you know, that, you know, it was sort of my act of resistance, really, you know, about, you know, expressing love, you know, and that's really what we want. We want more love, we want more acceptance, we want more tolerance, you know, so it was just a message that I needed to. To express.

[Alison Stewart]

You've been in Harlem since 2006. How do you think Harlem has influenced your art?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Oh, tremendously, tremendously. I mean, I love Harlem. I fell in love with it the first time I walked around. You know, I come from a very kind of working class area in Scotland, especially my parents. My parents grew up in Glasgow. And, you know, there used to be people sitting out in the street on the stoops, hanging out the windows, talking to each other. And it just felt like that to me when I first went to Harlem, so. But just really the diversity, the beau and like seeing people from all over the world and all kind of skin colors, all religions, and, you know, I just love that we coexist together in such a beautiful Way, you know, I've never known so many of my neighbors as I do in Harlem. And I've lived in quite a few areas in New York City. So I just. It was a love affair right away.

[Alison Stewart]

So before you became an artist full time, what were you doing before and what made the change?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Well, I came to New York City as a textile designer. And then I segued into licensing my art. So it was anything from Christmas ornaments to dinnerware, to, you know, all different kinds of products. But I've always wanted to paint fine art. But I really, you know, I come from a working class family and I didn't think I had a voice. What have I got to say, you know. And also I needed to make money, you know, it was a practical thing, you know, so. But then, you know, I had been started to paint and it was there. And then when we all went into lockdown, my dad actually died of COVID in Scotland. And he was one of the first people that I knew to die. It was very early on and I was sort of lying in my couch really depressed and really just. I couldn't go to the funeral. I couldn't sort of. It was. Just had a really bad time. And I was lying there kind of depressed and on the couch, and I heard my dad's voice saying, put your paintings on the wall, hen. You know, and it was really. It was. His wee angel had said that and we had bare walls, you know. And so I did. I put my paintings on the wall and for the first time I seen, wow, there's something here. And then I just was feeling such gratitude to all the essential workers, especially. Cause I had no connection with my dad. And it was all through the doctors and the nurses. And so I just had this pull that I needed to paint Essential Workers. So I started just. It was a tribute really. And I started to paint Essential Workers. And then I just started just putting them on Instagram. And then all of a sudden people were wanting to buy them. And, you know, it just kind of snowballed from there.

[Alison Stewart]

So we're talking to Debbie Taylor Kirman, she's an artist, about her show More Love. Now it's on view at the heath Gallery through May 3rd. That's beautiful that something wonderful came out of such a great loss.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Yeah, it was incredible. You know, we were emotionally even talking about it, you know, but the fact that Sondra invited me to do my first solo show at Heath Gallery. And she said the opening night is gonna be April 4th, and that was actually the fif anniversary of my dad dying. So it was one of those kind of things that all kind of. And, you know, it was two days before my 60th birthday, you know, so it was just like. And it was such a glorious event, you know, And I'm so looking forward to the artist talk this Saturday as well. It's, you know, it's. So I just love connecting with people and that people feel connected to my art, you know?

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So tell me about the materials you work with.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Oh, my gosh. Everything.

[Alison Stewart]

Everything.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Well, it's essentially acrylic paint because I build lots of layers. It's all about, like. I usually build about seven or eight layers in an abstract way, and that's with acrylic paint, with charcoal, with crayons, with lots of collage. I like putting things that are important to me, collaging in there, and then the figures kind of unfold to me, you know? So I just. I love mixed media, but I don't like it to look too stuck on, so I like it to feel. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Blocky. That's a great word. I like it to feel seamless and that it's actually part of it, you know.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So how does your process different from painting on canvas? Just directly painting on canvas?

[Alison Stewart]

What do you think the difference is?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

I think, like, you know, I don't know about just painting on canvas. I think my process is very much that I don't worry about or I don't think about what the end result is. I have no preconceived ideas, so I just build. I build layers. And it's all. There's a lot of feeling in it, you know, it's like how I'm feeling determines the colors, and how I'm feeling determines what, like, kind of collage I want to put in it. And, you know, sometimes I feel like, you know, in a scrape, you know, and I get the sander and I sand it. So, you know, and I work a lot on wood. I do work on canvas for the bigger pieces because they're just too heavy.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

To ship, you know, let's talk about how big your pieces are.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Yeah, well, you know, the biggest I've ever done. I got commissioned to do two 7ft by 7ft paintings that are in the Benjamin Hotel in midtown Manhattan. So they were my biggest pieces yet. But I generally. 4ft by 4ft by 5ft are my biggest sort of thing, so.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

But how do you decide on color?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

You know, it's a very intuitive thing, you know. But this show, More Love now at Heath Gallery, it was really about joy. I just felt like the first time this first administration came in, I had such anxiety about everything, about him and them. And I just thought, I'm not gonna let them steal my joy. This four years is gonna be hard, but I'm not going to let them steal my joy. So there was a conscious choice to be really bright, have bright colors, because I think color is, you know, is an expression of feeling. And I think bright colors can be joyful, you know. So that was why I chose a lot of the bright colors in this collection of work.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So how did you first get interested in art?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

I think it's just in me, like in every way since I was a kid. I was always making things, you know, I've always been a very creative person, you know, so. And I thought when I had my first child, I thought I was going to be a stay at home mom for a while. But after about a year, I just. It felt like there was something deeply, deeply missing, you know, So I just had to do something, you know, so it's just in me. But actually creating fine art has taken me all of these years of maturing as a woman and not giving a hoot what people think and just knowing that it doesn't matter what anybody thinks. I have what I have to say, you know, and what I have to say is importance, whether somebody thinks it is or not, you know. So I think it's like becoming this mature being. I hope I'm mature, getting there. It's given me the freedom to not give a hoot, you know.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So do you remember the first time you saw a piece of art in a museum?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Yeah, I do. The first one that really made me an impact, it was like when I went to Glasgow Museum. There's a piece by Salvador Dali and it's Jesus on the Cross. And it is a kind of really. It's got like a really incredible perspective. It's an incredible painting and I remember just being like, oh my God, you know, it's incredible.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

My guest is Debbie Taylor Kerman. Her new show More Love now is on view at the heath Gallery through May 3rd. She's hosting an artist talk there on April 12th from 2 to 4pm A lot of titles in your show have questions. For example, what's your favorite Beatle? What's your favorite holiday? Do you like jelly on your peanut butter sandwich? What do you like about questions?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Well, this was really about, you know, because I think, you know, because there's just so much divisiveness in the country, I want to bring People together. I want to connect people. And I just. When I sat down to think about my titles, I just thought, what is it that we do to connect? What is it we do when we're falling in love or when we love people? It's like we ask questions, or else we tell people about ourselves. So the titles are either things. Me telling you about me, or me asking questions about you. And it's also. It's about. The questions transcend race, economic status, religion. It's usually things that we can all relate to, regardless of where we're from, you know, So I just wanted it to be relatable in that sometimes it's the simplicity, it's the simple things in life that really connect us, you know?

[Alison Stewart]

How many pieces are in the show?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

There's 30 pieces altogether.

[Alison Stewart]

Ooh, how did you get down to 30?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Well, there was actually. I created 27 new pieces, but then when Sondra came to my house for the artist visit, she kind of fell in love with three other pieces. There's one piece in particular that I painted last year when the war broke out in Israel, and it's a depiction of an Israeli father and a Palestinian father holding each other and weeping, and it's called Weeping Fathers. And so it's a very important piece of work. And so she really wanted that to be included in the work because it really is a symbol of love and peace and conn, you know.

[Alison Stewart]

So what is the happiest piece in your show?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

The happiest piece? I think, you know, the transgender community has been really attacked recently. And so a lot of, like, the transgender community, I put a lot of depictions of that. There's one piece where there's a tribe in India called the Hijra, and they celebrate transgender people. And then a lot of Native American tribes have always celebrated transgender people. They call them third gender people. And so I have one piece that has a hijra, a transgender Indian, and then in the middle, a drag queen. So. And it just, to me, is a symbol of joy and acceptance of regardless of who you are, you're beautiful, you're loved, you know?

[Alison Stewart]

So where do you go for inspiration.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

In the streets of New York City? On the subway. I'm constantly taking pictures on the subway. I find it fascinating when you see people, especially people coming home from work and from completely different backgrounds, and one person might be wearing a pair of Prada shoes, and the next person's wearing a pair of workie boots, and they're falling asleep kind of nodding on each other. I find that this Just beautiful.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

You have a series called Subway Riders. Yes.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Yes, I do. Based on your observations in the subway. Yes, exactly.

[Alison Stewart]

Where's your studio? What do you need to be able to be creative?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

My studio's in New York City. It's in Harlem. It's in our house. And, you know, I just really. I love New York City. I have a love affair in New York City. So I think that's really what I need. You know, I keep thinking, like being almost retirement age, my husband keeps thinking and I keep talking about, could we live somewhere else? But I don't think I can. I really don't.

[Alison Stewart]

We often say on this show that we are living in uncertain times.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

Why can art be helpful during this time?

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Oh, because it connects people. It gives people hope. You know, I feel that for me, creating the art has been an incredibly cathartic experience. Like from when I was creating art when my father passed of COVID you know, to now, having to every day, like, wake up with that dread of looking at the news. What's he doing now? But. But, you know, when we see people creating art in whatever form, it can give us hope, it can give us strength, it can give us, you know, a determination to resist and fight back. You know, I mean, part of this collection was also inspired by a poem by Robin Brandtz. And it's about resisting, you know, and it's about resisting through love, resisting through being educated, resisting, you know, and so I think all forms of art give our talk.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

So the name of the show is More Love now through May 3rd at the Heath Gallery in Harlem. My guest has been Debbie Taylor Kerman. You can join her at artist talk on April 12th from 2 to 4pm.

[Alison Stewart]

Debbie, thanks for coming in.

[Debbie Taylor Kerman]

Oh, what a delight it was. Thank you so much, Alison. It's just been a delight.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening and I appreciate you.

[Unnamed Interviewer]

I'll meet you back here tomorrow.

[WNYC Studios]

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