Taylar Sanders
Visual Artist, Painter and Muralist
Taylar Sanders is a passionate, self-taught visual artist, painter and muralist. She was born and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. Her art journey began in 2016 at a moment she calls “Express or Explode.” She grew up in a very pragmatic family and learned to suppress her emotions. After many years of doing so, she developed an autoimmune disease. At the intersection of prayer, self-reflection and her search for healing, she was led to try painting. It became her method of emotional regulation and has allowed her to reclaim her voice.
She has always been sensitive to the inner emotional worlds of the people around her and fascinated by their unique stories. Much of her work consists of powerful and moving figurative paintings that depict the broad spectrum and complexity of Black identity and emotion. She portrays her culture through empowering images of peace, joy and gentleness. She works primarily with acrylic and oil paint on canvas and wood, digital art and murals.
In 2024, she was awarded and completed a studio residency at InterUrban ArtHouse. In 2024, she was awarded her current studio residency at The Charlotte Street Foundation, that will be completed in 2026. She has worked on local public art projects for the Parade of Hearts, The Coterie Theatre, The Asphalt Art Initiative, a Black Lives Matter Mural and other local businesses. She has sat on multiple grant selection committees and public art selection committees.
She is dedicated to creating work that evokes emotion within the viewer, translates the emotion of the subject and leaves a lasting impact. She creates what she believes the collective needs to feel and heal. Her intention is always to uplift, empower and connect people through her art.
