Join Us in Welcoming New Faces to Taylor Studios!

Friday, August 15, 2014 5:04 PM by Taylor Studios in Other


The summer of 2014 has brought a handful of new faces to Taylor Studios: three to our fabrication floor that is running at full capacity and one to our Sales/Marketing team.

Tim Summerville joined our production team on June 2.  Tim worked as a self-employed copper artist beginning in July 2012: “In the past, I have always created artwork for my employers, now I am devoting my energies to my passion of fully dimensional copper sculptures.”  But that’s not the only skill Tim brought to TSI.  Prior to being self-employed, Tim worked in the Sign Shop at the University of Illinois and spent 8 years in Las Vegas where he transformed conceptual sign art files into usable production files.  His talents include hand lettering/sign painting, copper sculpting, fiber glassing, woodworking, pattern and template design, conceptual models, stained and beveled glass, and drawing/sketching.

Jason McDowell joined our production team on June 16. Jason attended Joliet Junior College and received an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Business through the Tom Savini Special Make-up Effects Program in Monessen, PA.  His skills include sculpting, mold making, painting, set fabrication, life-casting, wig-making, and costuming among other talents.  “ … I am no stranger to manipulating something natural to move the way I need it to in order to create a beautiful piece of work…”  Jason’s many talents earned him First Place in the 2011 Mixed Media Governors’ State Juried Art Competition.

Brad Kirby also joined our production team on June 16 in the wood shop.  Brad brings 20+ years of experience in high end custom woodworking, cabinetry, and restoration of antique furniture.  “I love art, have always been artistic (and) love woodworking!”  His past employers include Masterbrand/Schrock Cabinet Co. in Arthur, IL and Timberline Custom Woodworking in Urbana.  Brad’s diverse background including manufacturing, production, and maintenance make him a great fit for our shop floor.

Matt McClain joined the TSI Sales/Marketing team on August 12 in the position of Associate Estimator.  Matt is a Rantoul native and spent more than 20 years as a Project Manager for Specchio Companies.  Specchio’s diverse business holdings gave Matt a wide range of experiences and skills in demolition, construction, retail sales, real estate and property management.  This background, along with his self-owned McClain Properties rentals, makes Matt’s knowledge of construction a great asset in the role of Associate Estimator.  Matt’s “redneck engineering” experiences are a perfect fit for our “get it done!” culture.

Welcome to our newest team members!  We are excited about the talents they bring to the TSI table!

Share this on social networks