James E. Taylor, a Salisbury oil painter whose Contemporary Realism Studio was on South Main Street in Salisbury for several years, has recently been awarded a Finalist — Wildlife Art Prize Challenge by International Artist Magazine.

The work, “Northern Pintail Duck (Drake),” will be published in the upcoming issue, February/March 2016 — Number 107.

Taylor’s “Northern Pintail,” along with other works, can currently be seen at Sweet Meadow Cafe. in downtown Salisbury. There are other works at The Mean Mug Coffee Shop and Fine Frame Gallery on occasion. He has exhibited locally with Carolina Artists, Waterworks Art Center and Plein Air Carolina, among others.

Taylor moved Contemporary Art Studio to 504 Camelot Drive in Salisbury and renamed it Nepenthe Studio to signify “intoxicating art and ideas, focused on atelier methods of learning how to paint with commitment,” he said. He continues to teach oil painting workshops, demonstrate for art groups and exhibit in the Northeast, where he lived for many years.

Taylor occasionally exhibits here in North Carolina. Paintings in a contemporary realism in both oil and watercolor mediums continue to be the focus of his work.

His subjects include wildlife, seascape, landscape and animals, as he teaches traditional painting methodology in an atelier setting. After a long career in photography, illustration and graphic design in Massachusetts, Taylor relocated to North Carolina, and he says he tries to work harder and longer each day painting and writing.

He said his Nepenthe motto is, “ART is not only paint — self-expression is only where painting begins and thought is also important—paint like you mean — ART IS A VERB, DO ART PASSIONATELY!”

Taylor can be reached a 704-310-7335 for more information and inquiries about workshops, available work, etc. A website is currently under construction at: JAMESETAYLORFINEART.COM. Taylor’s email is jimjet520@gmail.com.