It is passion that drives me. I have had the desire to shape and expand myself and the world around me since I was a child; always searching; continuously creating. From building with legos, to forming bands in high school, to founding new businesses in my adult years, my path has always included the pursuit of passion and experiential growth.
My wife Dana is my soul mate of 36 years and my business partner. Dana manages many aspects of our art business, heavily focusing on local philanthropy. Together, we have raised over 1.1 million dollars for local charities by donating artwork. Dana and I have 3 sons, Andrew, Zach and Taylor. We thoroughly enjoy what we do for a living. Our hearts are in it 100%. We love our community and our art family.
The eclectic variety in my numerous styles is the product of allowing mistakes to be a part of the art making process. I embrace the dichotomy of vision versus freedom; control versus chaos. In the spirit of freedom and chaos, I employ a plethora of textures, colors and mediums while trying not to limit myself to any single style or form.
Franz Kline, Gerhard Richter, Jackson Pollock and David Adickes have been my main artistic influences. My styles encompass abstract, folk and impressionism. My mediums include acrylics, epoxy resin, oil, latex and watercolor. My artwork is simply an extension of my life and personality. My paintings represent whatever it is I am feeling at the time. One layer at a time, I allow each painting to simply “become”. Through a combination of variety, depth and the pursuit of experiential growth, each piece of art becomes unique in technique, style and emotion.
Arriving in the art business in 2006, I have pursued being a professional artist with abandon, studying with fellow artists and constantly exhibiting my work. With over 200 solo, joint and group exhibits under my belt and over 800 local and national collectors, my sights are set on evolving my career on a national basis and providing other artists with platforms for thriving in the ever changing art business.
I completed my first TedX Talk in 2025. I spoke on the current art world, what it means to be a professional artist and the importance of art studios like Sawyer Yards. I intend on doing more speaking engagements and ideally more TedX talks.
Dana and I have published three art books. “Double Entendre”, published in 2014, covered the span of my first 8 years in the art business with a focus on my Double Entendre series.
“50 Artists, Houston, Volume 1”, published in 2022, featured 50 very diverse Houston artists at various levels in their careers. “50 Artist, Houston, Volume 2” published in2025, featured a whole new set of talented Houston artists.
We are currently working on our 4th publication, ideally hitting bookshelves in 2027.
In 2017, I collaborated with Houston legend and artist David Adickes on a 20 foot tall sculpture titled “Pursue Your Passion”. Thanks to collectors and friends Reggie and Tom Nichols, this massive art piece resides at Armstrong Elementary in Missouri City.
Taft, David Adickes and friends Reggie and Tom Nichols with Taft and David’s collaborative sculpture - Pursue Your Passion
In 2025, I created the “H-Town”sculpture. The photos below show the prototype for a 20-30 foot tall sculpture. This new art piece utilizes all of the Houston sports team’s colors with a lively splash of art. It is also a nod to the late, great David Adickes, with the intention of carrying on his love for large sculptures. The goal is to create and install this epic sculpture in a prominent location in Houston, Texas in 2026. In the meantime, you can acquire one of these metal sculptures in 3 available sizes - 5”, 8” and 12”.
