Today we’d like to introduce you to Tay Tuteur.
Hi Tay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I was always drawing and painting as soon as I could hold a pencil. After I graduated high school, I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to attend Washington University in St. Louis. I graduated in 2018 with a degree in Communication Design and a focus in illustration. Throughout college and since graduation, I have been working various service industry jobs while taking on work as a freelance illustrator and designer. When the pandemic put everything on hold for a few months, I was able to put more of my time and energy into my art projects. Last August, I began working at Urban Matter and found so much support from the owners, Mary Hennesy and Amy Schafer, who encouraged me to finally start my Etsy page and sell prints, greeting cards, and stickers in the shop. I have also been working as a designer & illustrator at CNTRD, a consulting agency, after meeting co-founder and principal Kevin Farr as a barista at one of the many coffee shops I have worked at over the years. I have been able to explore branding, website design, and illustration on a variety of meaningful projects that embrace diversity and aim to improve our community.
I have been commissioned for various other projects including pet portraits, coffee shop merchandise, and online blog publications.
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?
It certainly hasn’t been the easiest getting here. First off, I would never have been able to go to college in the first place if it hadn’t been for a full-ride scholarship at WashU. I have had at least one job (usually 2 or 3 at a time) since I turned 16 in order to afford necessities for school and my career (like my laptop and drawing tablet), much less luxuries. Unlike many of my fellow graduates, I have not worked in an agency or studio, and I’ve struggled with self-doubt about my career. But alternately, that has given me a lot of freedom to explore exactly what I want to be making and what kinds of projects I want to work on.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a lot of passions outside of just making art and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to incorporate those into my work. My main focuses have been on STL, pets, coffee, and music.
The thing you might recognize me from is my art print of Tower Grove Park and all of its beautiful pavilions! I sell them at Urban Matter as well as on my Etsy page. I have a selection of St. Louis inspired prints, stickers, and postcards. I love this city and all of the opportunities it has given me, so I try to honor that in my art.
I also have built up a collection of pet portraits. They’re a hit during the holidays as a custom portrait of a beloved pet is such a meaningful gift to give. I love drawing animals and understanding people through their pets.
I have been able to design merchandise for a few shops (including some stuff in the works right now!) One of the things I’m most proud of are the enamel pins that I designed for Sump back in 2019. It’s so cool to see my work out and about in the world!
Lastly, in pre-covid times, I was the main poster-maker for the St. Louis chapter of Sofar Sounds. I’m big into going to shows and making posters for our ‘secret shows’ was a great way to discover up-and-coming artists and explore whatever style of making I was feeling that month.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am a non-binary artist of color and my pronouns are they/them. Being a part of the LGBT+ community has undoubtedly influenced my life and my art. I am always looking for projects that uplift the community, inform others, and support queer creators.
Pricing:
- I am always taking pet portrait commissions. A single pet is $75, two pets are $90, and three $100.
- Other commissions are priced per project, and I am happy to further discuss with anyone interested!
Contact Info:
- Email: tay.tuteur@outlook.com
- Website: taylortuteur.com
- Instagram: @taytuteur.illo
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TayTutesIllustration
Image Credits
Bri Super
