MADAI TAYLOR

Over the last two decades Madai Taylor has used the earth as a metaphor for the unity of spirit between man and nature under God. Madai places his eye to the earth at a most unusual angle, glimpsing a grace toward which much of humanity aspires.

Plain dirt, gathered in fields, sifted to a fine grain and mixed with gesso is a very literal earth. In these recent paintings rarely are any other materials used. Loamy dark brown soil from Iowa and soft reddish brown Tennessee soil are mixed with a bonding agent (gesso) and then applied in layers over large sheets of heavy cold-press paper. 

Before the earth-gesso mixture dries Madai draws on the surface. The drawing is generally reductive, removing potions of the earth-gesso pigment and allowing either the paper surface or a previously applied and now dried earth gesso layer to show through. - excerpt by Margaret A. Skove

"MINING THE SPIRIT" ARTICLE IN THE IOWAN

INTERVIEW WITH JIM DUNCAN

 

Grace to Overcome Barriers

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Now Faith Is

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Potential

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

The Many Webs of the Enemy

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Vicious Cycles

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Manna Bread From Heaven

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

When it Rains it Pours

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

To Rise Up

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

A Time and A Season

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Unforseen Circumstances

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

To Catch a Ghost

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Spirit Dance

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Season of Abundance

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Seed Time

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Wings

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Mind Blowing

Earth & gesso on paper 17.5 " x 17.5 "

 

Over Yonder

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Reside to Light and Space

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

What's Blowing in the Winds

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Open Doors

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Time is Fleeting

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Window of Hope

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Where There is a Way

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Unknow Prayers, Languages

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

The Mood of Compassion

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

The Latter Rains

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

Place of Forsaken Excuses

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

Grace in the Night

Earth & gesso on paper 52" x 32.5"

 

 

Pierced

Earth & gesso on paper 10" x 8 "