WAYNE TAYLOR, Artist 455 Wellington Way Springboro, Ohio 45966 (513) 748-0119

Wayne's work has been exhibited from Las Vegas to Florida, and has been published in The National Drawing Anthology. Wayne has created a couple of album covers and numerous book cover designs, including: Armed and Battle Ready, Exposing Our Enemy, and Being Led by the Spirit by Dr. Timothy Sheets. In addition to creating large scale panoramas for theatrical back drops, Wayne has also designed graphics for two public relations films, An Apple For Alphie, and Your Shoes Squeak Mr. Smith. Around 1993-94, Wayne was commissioned to paint a mural on the domed ceiling of the new Cumberland Inn, as a Memorial to the families who were friends of the college, and had lost children through accident or disease. Subsequently, Mr. Luther and Mrs. Rosemary Smith, contributing benefactors, hired Wayne to create another smaller dome at their company headquarters in Beattyville, Kentucky. The designs from the dome paintings have been expanded to include twenty-seven separate oil paintings which will be featured in the book, Children of the Dome. Wayne, working with the Smiths, hopes to present limited edition prints of the entire collection.

As I reach the end of this painting project I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, not only for the work, but for the opportunity to contribute to this great book by Rosemary Smith. This book will touch many lives, and help with the healing process; not only for those who have been directly affected, but for many readers who can relate to the loss this book portrays.

Looking back on my student days at Cumberland College, I am reminded of the excellent training that I received. Cumberland’s nurturing of spiritual development has been a guiding force in my life. I was privileged to have, in studio classes, instructors Ken Weedman and David Lockwood. Both men were completely different in their approach to art, and both were extremely talented. From Dr. Lockwood, I learned several oil techniques that are unique and useful. From Mr. Weedman, I learned dynamic design and composition. There were many other great teachers and advisors who helped to shape my artistic expression at Cumberland. I am thankful for everyone’s contribution.

During my senior year at Cumberland, I accepted a position working for the Director of Development. This man was an inspiration to me in his dedication to promoting the college and providing education opportunities for the mountain children of Southeastern Kentucky. We worked on several projects together. He came up with great ideas and I would illustrate them. I graduated, went on to graduate school, and began my career in Art Education. He continued with his great ideas, earned his doctorate degree, and became president of Cumberland College. In 1994 he asked me to create a mural for the Cumberland Lodge, in memory of lost children, including his only son, Jim. Dr. Taylor and Mrs. Taylor continue to inspire me with their courage, leadership and dedication to Cumberland College.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rosemary and Luther Smith. They have encouraged me and supported me not only with this book, but with the original dome at Cumberland and a mini-dome at their corporate headquarters in Beattyville. The Smith’s have lost two children and their dedication to Drew and Jeremiah’s memory has been the impetus for all these projects.

As an artist it is enjoyable working with Rosemary because of her willingness to allow me to be creative. She would provide me with enough information to represent each child, but would encourage me to draw from my own imagination as to how each composition would evolve. Hair color, eye color, and physical characteristics were purposely omitted so that each painting could represent angels and children in a more universal way.

The cover uses images connected to the dome. Showing the angels in a group setting and at various ages, the scripture says, …we will be like him… I like to imagine that someday we will all be part of the same family in Heaven, and even though we will still be individuals, we will all be related. This painting uses an under painting style, similar to the works from the Renaissance where the entire project is painted in one color, then colored glazes are applied. Finally a unifying glaze is applied to the entire painting. As the different paintings evolved, I found that I wanted to imbue the works with more light, and I began to move to more traditional painting techniques. I photographed skies, and light, and poured through hundreds of reference photos, taking one part from here, one part from there.
 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rosemary and Luther Smith. They have encouraged me and supported me not only with this book, but with the original dome at Cumberland and a mini-dome at their corporate headquarters in Beattyville. The Smith’s have lost two children and their dedication to Drew and Jeremiah’s memory has been the impetus for all these projects. As an artist it is enjoyable working with Rosemary because of her willingness to allow me to be creative. She would provide me with enough information to represent each child, but would encourage me to draw from my own imagination as to how each composition would evolve. Hair color, eye color, and physical characteristics were purposely omitted so that each painting could represent angels and children in a more universal way. The cover uses images connected to the dome. Showing the angels in a group setting and at various ages, the scripture says, …we will be like him… I like to imagine that someday we will all be part of the same family in Heaven, and even though we will still be individuals, we will all be related. This painting uses an under painting style, similar to the works from the Renaissance where the entire project is painted in one color, then colored glazes are applied. Finally a unifying glaze is applied to the entire painting. As the different paintings evolved, I found that I wanted to imbue the works with more light, and I began to move to more traditional painting techniques. I photographed skies, and light, and poured through hundreds of reference photos, taking one part from here, one part from there.