Tsuktiben Jamir
“Boats and that moment when the bow of a launching lifeboat hits the waves have fascinated me. Yet, I also strive to capture the historical essence of the landscapes I paint, whether the iconic pier at Tynemouth or the bustling wharves of the Thames.”
In the ebb and flow of his life as a lifeboatman, Mark Taylor has weathered stormy seas along the coast of Tynemouth, defying danger to rescue those in distress. However, this weekend, Taylor, a man of many talents, finds himself navigating the contrasting waters of the Thames as he embarks on an artistic journey. Balancing his life-saving role with his passion for painting, the 43-year-old coxswain of the RNLI boat has been chosen for a London exhibition and a new artist residency in Canary Wharf.
Courtesy: The Studio.
“I’ve always been drawn to water,” Taylor shared with the Observer. The likes of vocalist Sam Fender, guitarist Andy Taylor from Duran Duran, and screenwriter Ian la Frenais have all expressed high interest in Taylor’s paintings, which range from mesmerising seascapes to moving portraiture. The starting price for his new line is £12,825 ($9,500).
When Taylor chose to take care of his father, who was battling motor neuron illness, his creative path took on a meaningful significance. Taylor returned to his actual interest after leaving his administrative position at Newcastle College, where he taught and ran courses. He also found comfort in his work. He had private painting sessions with his father in the months before his death, receiving advice from his father on methods and effects. Taylor painted every day as a kind of therapy. His father said the heartbreaking thing, “If you can carry on painting like that, you will never be hungry.” This struck a profound chord with Taylor, who has always carried this in his heart.
“Out at sea, things can get quite heavy, so I paint daily to find balance,” Taylor explained. “My father, Dallas Keith Taylor, was a lifeboatman and a pilot boat skipper in nearby Blyth harbour. Like me, he braved all weathers. He was also a painter with a commercial gallery. While teaching art, I aspired to be more like Mark Rothko or Jackson Pollock rather than following in my father’s footsteps. However, after some time, I realised I missed my painting and eventually discovered my style.”
Courtesy: The Studio.
His talent earned him a solo show in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel, a remarkable opportunity that arose after he secured a place in the Royal Society of Marine Artists annual exhibition the previous summer. This position had been held by artist Lincoln Townley before. Taylor reflected, “Lincoln’s residency here launched his career to the next level. I’ll be overjoyed if my residency can achieve even half that success.”
Many of the paintings in Taylor’s new series feature the ports and quays of east London. Some include collages made from historical maps that allude to the rich history of the Isle of Dogs as an essential hub of world trade and, earlier, as estuarine marshland.
Taylor is frequently interrupted by the frantic ring of his RNLI pager while working at his studio in Tynemouth, which is visible from the lifeboat station. When working with oils, he may put his palette down and continue later, knowing that the paint would stay moist for a few hours. However, with acrylics, he has to leave it as it is. These disruptions have happened during meals with the family and even on special occasions. Taylor, though, places more importance on the possibility of saving a life.
The creative journey made by Mark Taylor from Tynemouth to the Thames exemplifies the steadfast commitment of a lifeboatman who finds comfort and inspiration both on land and in the water. Taylor’s paintings resonate with the fleeting beauty and deep storylines that define our relationship with the sea as he portrays the ever-changing rhythms of coastal life and the ethereal play of light on water.
