Taylor Brechtel’s art at the Recht Gallery
Taylor Brechtel has been showing his work and hosting events at his
Recht Gallery in the Courtyard since 2022. The Crier visited his gallery
to introduce him to readers.
Photo by David Jerome
Brechtel is originally from Orange County. He went to New York City
where he earned his bachelor’s in fine art from Parson’s School of
Design and lived for 10 years. He worked in the fashion industry there
and in Los Angeles. When family members bought places in Idyllwild, he
began to see possibilities for himself here. He moved up during COVID,
and soon found his creative outlet.
“I didn’t start painting until I moved up here. I had a studio in my
basement and started cranking out paintings. I had so many I couldn’t
fit them in the basement. I saw this space was available, I figured,
“What better way to show the community my new venture than to open up
Recht Gallery?”
When asked to draw out the threads that make up his style as a painter,
Brechtel mentioned futurism, cubism, surrealism and dada. Futurism’s
sharp lines resonate with him, but his themes range toward mythological
creatures and archetypes, often modern ones like Disney figures.
The cubist influence is apparent in the shattered geometry of many of
his canvases, as if some inner object is being reflected
kaleidoscopically. The sense of being inside a dream is how he connects
to surrealism. Dadaism enters through found objects “elevated” to art,
like his “Brutal Chair,” a chair mounted to the wall and used as an
incense burner.
Taylor has recently moved a baby grand piano into the gallery and has
hosted intimate piano concerts and events for Idyllwild Poetry Society.
Right now, the work on display is all his, but a number of other artists
also have had solo openings at the Recht. Asked how he is “digging” his
new life far from the city, he said, “Yeah, it’s been an adjustment. I’m
grateful for the lessons I’ve learned. I’m grateful for the art I’ve
produced here. I feel there is a paranormal energy on the Hill that is
conducive to making great art.”
Brechtel Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 10-4, 54240 Ridgeview Drive #103.
