Today we’d like to introduce you to Taz Bentley.
Hi Taz, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I studied music and art through high school. I’m a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for The Performing and Visual Arts (Arts Magnet H.S.). I went to College to study Illustration and marketing, but I left to pursue music. This ended up becoming my career throughout most of my adult life. I worked as a recording and/or touring musician with Assassins, Reverend Horton Heat, Tenderloin, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Burden Brothers, The Dwarves, Hell Texas, and The Javelinas. Throughout my time as a musician I would often return to painting. I wanted to continue making art when I was able. I retired from music as a career around 15 years ago which led me to a career as a product and fashion photographer. Photography became my passion. It filled the void that music had occupied for so long. This was a new form of artistic expression for me, and I absolutely love it to this day! Though I shoot professionally as a career, I also shoot images that I would label “fine art” which compliments my paintings. For the last 3 to 5 years in particular I have jumped head first back in to painting. I have a condition which makes my hands shake when a certain series of muscles are being used. Because of this I have focused my energies towards abstract art (and photography) which has again, filled the void left behind by my departure from music. My paintings are a continuation of my music in a big way, replacing rhythm and volume with colors, shapes, and textures. The order or arrangement of a song is now contained in shapes and colors creating order to the chaos of abstract art.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with any pursuit, you have to struggle at some point towards achieving your goal(s). While music was definitely an uphill battle, my love for writing, collaborating, recording and performing music enabled me to overcome almost every hurdle. That passion, I realized, was the fuel that propelled me forward. Once I stepped away from music, I was lost for a time. I stumbled into photography as a means to make a living. I was entirely unaware that this would become my new passion, but thankfully it was! Again, I realized it was my passion and love for creating that was propelling me forward. Through this new found passion it reignited my love for painting which is my main focus at this point! So, in addressing any challenges and/or obstacles, while they did and still do exist, I’ve found that loving what I’m involved in creating seems to act as a shield against many setbacks. They do indeed exist but my passion and care for what I’m creating seems to help me move through such obstacles. It very well could be that I’m older now and less afraid to put everything I have into what I’m making, and not caring as much about what anyone else is going to think or say about the finished product, be it music, photography or painting. So yes, there have been obstacles and challenges but I think they are/were more internal than external My desire to keep moving forward far exceeded any external obstacle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a painter who focuses on Abstract/Modern art. Im most recognized by my career in music, but I’m now invested in painting as my main source of creativity.
I can’t say it necessarily sets me apart from others, because I believe that the evolution or process of evolving inevitably forces one to become more whole in their work. For me, literally as an art student, I’d convinced myself that I wasn’t good enough and probably never would be good enough to succeed as an artist. I based this on the knowledge that Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Matisse (my favorite artists), all possessed a genius that I was never going to possess. With time, I began to realize that I had to speak with my own voice. I should have never compared myself to any other artist. As much as I wanted to use a brush the same way, create texture the same way, create a composition that looked like theirs looked, as much as I wanted to be able to paint like Monet, Van Gogh, and Matisse, I needed to create what was within myself, not emulate someone who’s already done it. So I’ve learned that regardless of what I’m creating I have to put everything that I am into it. The end result is achieved by being as honest, vulnerable, exacting, and completely true to my own vision as I possibly can. Through this, I realized these, and every other great artist I was comparing myself to, were simply expressing their truths. The thing I’m most proud of, is finding my way into making my art as honestly and whole heartedly as I can. I can now say with certainty when a piece is finished, as opposed to questioning if it was enough. Knowing that each finished piece contains every ounce of who I am and exactly what I’m feeling and thinking and allowing each piece to evolve and expand until it is “absolute”! I no longer anguish over my inability to emulate my favorite painters. I now celebrate their influences and their impact on me!
How do you define success?
Interesting question. For me success has never equated to money in particular. It’s achieved by making money doing something I’m passionate about, or that brings me joy. I guess being able to create and support myself, and my family through my creations is success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tazbentleyphoto
- LinkedIn: Patrick Taz Bentley
Image Credits
Reverend Horton Heat album cover photo taken by James Bland.
Burden Brothers photo taken by Matt Cooper.
