YOUNG artist Taylah Guyer realised the true scope of that challenge when the owners of Cargo Inn gestured toward a blank wall and invited create something for the blank space..
“I kind of went, ‘Oh my,’” Guyer said.
Before taking on the large-scale Cargo Inn mural, Guyer, who had recently started Taylah Artistry to produce compact A5-sized portraits, pet artwork, and unique custom pieces, had never worked on anything near that size.
“Stuff it,” she said. “I’ll give it a go.”
The wall has been reimagined as a vibrant depiction of the Cargo Inn, framed by native Australian flora, and taking 62 hours of detailed painting work to complete.
The project spanned nearly two months, commencing on 26 June and reaching completion on 22 August, with the majority of the work carried out during Guyer’s weekends and free time.
Harmonising the visions of Cargo Inn proprietors Rodney and Kath, the concept incorporates Rodney’s wish to highlight the establishment alongside Kath’s desire for a bright, floral theme.
The completion time allowed Guyer to step back from the project, reflect on her progress, and return to the canvas with a fresh perspective.
“I loved being able to go home, have a think about it, come back and say, ‘Oh, that didn’t work. Let’s try this instead.’”
The process was not without its share of happy accidents.
Guyer had originally planned to leave the flowers without outlines, but after adding them to parts of the pub, she found herself doing the same for the blooms.
“I’ve gone, ‘Oh, no. I wasn’t meant to do that.’ And then I’ve had to commit to it,” she said.
However, upon viewing the completed mural, she said that the outlines made a notable difference.
This project marks an important milestone in Guyer’s return to creating art, a passion she said she had slowly set aside as work and other responsibilities took priority.
Guyer’s creative journey began with painting to support cancer fundraising, which led to individuals reaching out with custom commission requests.
She said her love for art began at a young age and led her to complete it for her HSC, with her uncle, a HSC art teacher, acting as a primary influence for her.
Guyer also said her partner’s aunt, Rebecca Whiteley, served as another key influence by helping Taylor reconnect with her artistic passion.
Ms Whiteley provided the encouragement and confidence Taylor needed to share her artwork with a broader audience.
Behind the scenes, Guyer said her partner, Nick Fisher, had also been a constant source of encouragement as she took the leap back into creating art.
“He has supported all my ideas, regardless of how crazy they may be,” she said.
“He has done nothing but be supportive and encouraging. I didn’t expect this to happen.”
