Consumer Artist, Jeffrey “Scissorhands” Taylor

About 30 years ago Jeffery enlisted in the marines and was stationed in Japan. He spent several years in the service, hoping to get ahead and better his life. But upon getting out of the service, the opposite happened.

Jeffery explained to us, “My experience in the marine core was so jarring that I became overcome with anxiety, it was hard to keep a job. I had a lot of problems associated with the shock of what I went through so I began a nomadic lifestyle, turned to drugs and wandered around the country looking for answers. Before the service I used to be an artist, so while living on the streets I tried to create art and sell it for money, but getting art supplies with only pocket change wasn’t easy.

Life got harder and harder. I eventually came to NYC with $1.75 in my pocket and 6 paintings. During one low point I checked myself into a shelter in NYC. The shelter turned out to be a hostile environment. It sometimes felt safer just living on the streets. The conditions were also pretty bad. We all slept in an overcrowded room with 300 cots and all had to share 2 bathrooms.

During my stay at the shelter, SUS sought me out and told me about their veterans program. I jumped at the chance to have my own bathroom, clean pillows and a chance to start my life over. I’ve been living with SUS for over 4 years now and have turned my life around. Because I don’t have to worry about sleeping on the streets, I am able to spend time on my one true love, my artwork. In the last 2 years I’ve had a few paintings entered into galleries in NYC and one of my paintings made the cover of a local magazine. Thanks to SUS I’m now saving money and trying to get back on my feet. SUS gave me the hope to turn my life around and I’m forever grateful.”

Jeffrey is a resident at the SUS Knickerbocker home for veterans. He creates his art by cutting out small images using colorful contact paper and layering the pieces on top of each other to create multi-faceted works of art.

Click to donate to the SUS Veterans Fund.