Jerry Taylor, a prolific artist and a beloved one here on the Outer Banks, often refers to himself as “self directed.”  Hailing from North Carolina, Jerry spent most of his life in the learning process…admiring the iconic works of Norman Rockwell as well as other commercial illustrators.  As a youngster, he spent hour upon hour seeking to emulate artists whose broad popular appeal were the result of creating work reflecting American culture.

And all the while Jerry was learning – developing a keener eye and intuition while painstakingly hunting for “how-to’s” to guide him through the process of producing work that might -- one day -- lead to a profession in commercial art. To that end, Jerry successfully invested over 40 years of his time and talent illustrating, before his passions eventually turned to producing fine art.

Now working with an array of mediums, Jerry creates with oils, watercolors, and acrylics letting the subject dictate these specific decisions. Certainly not alone in this category, Jerry’s fond of producting landscapes but also enjoys the challenges brought about by depicting other subjects as well.

But the viewscapes inspired by the water and the coast -- whether depicting the serenity of a sound side alcove or the freedom of sailing across the waters that surround us on all sides – are what draw us in. 

Better than the postcard…and more permanent than a fleeting image on Instagram, a painted landscape has the special ability to reveal the connection between observer and surroundings. Because as we all know, adorning the wall or shelf with an artistic treasure keeps memories alive, long after the summer’s vacation has ended.

I invite you to visit us to learn more about Jerry Taylor in addition to the many local artisans showcased here at Outer Banks Gifts Online as well as in our shop, Beach Treasures in Duck, located exclusively on the Town of Duck’s Boardwalk on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.