SMALL UNIQUE WORKS OF ART — One of David Taylor’s most prominent collections is the jewelry collection his wife, Joanne, started for the shop. Much of the jewelry is unique with zero chance of there being another one within the area. Taylor hunts for interesting pieces of art and will be teaching a class called the Art of Hunting Art in February where he will explain hunting garage sale art. The class is free will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 27  at the Lakeland Art Gallery located at 302 E Winona Ave., Warsaw (Photo by Elisa Walker)

WARSAW — A life untravelled has yet to blossom. Originally from Lincoln, Neb., 68-year-old David Taylor moved to Pierceton when he was a child and then went on to explore the rest of the world to enjoy good savory food, meet new,  interesting people and see art for his own pleasure. Taylor has had experiences that he never thought he could ever have as just a man from a small town.

Taylor has been everywhere. From Europe to Japan, New York to San Francisco and places in between, Taylor had the fortune to travel to his heart’s content where he could meet and interact with people on a personable level. Some of those people included the Ambassador of France, who conversed with him over antiques and cheese, and a mayor of a southern French city, who carted him around looking for bolts from a hardware store for a historical reenactment event.

“I have several hobbies, one that is revolutionary war military reenacting,” elaborated Taylor. “That was one of the things that took me to Europe. It was one of those things that allowed me to see into a lot of things that most people don’t get to do.”

Taylor belonged to the Society of the Blue Lion, an organization that promoted goodwill between countries through historical preservation and reenacting. Through this society, Taylor travelled to Europe to rededicate the statue of the American Revolution, attend the 185th anniversary for the Battle of Waterloo and celebrate Hogmanay, Scottish New Years, by travelling with a Celtic band across Scotland and England.

Some of Taylor’s fondest memories has been proposing to his wife at the top of the Eiffel Tower, eating lobster bisque with caviar in Vendome, France, and getting great tacos from a street vendor in Tijuana. Leading a life well ventured, he never forgot his roots or who helped him become who he is today. Taylor affectionately remembers his amiable parents, how open and understanding they were with others, which is something he emulates in his everyday life.

Taylor has gone after everything he’s wanted in life, constantly feeding his love for art, antiques, good food and travelling. After spending 25 years as a service technician he and his wife opened The Blue Lion Coffee House and then the Blue Pearl Antiques and Art Gallery.

While he hasn’t been back to Europe for 15 years he travels across America with Joanne, his wife of 20 years, for antique shows. Taylor spends his busy days helping people and sometimes make some money from his hobby. He is very involved with the community and is a member of the Lakeland Art Association, Morning Optimists, Northwest Territory Alliance and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

“Understand people on their level and be friends with them,” advised Taylor. “I have got to enjoy life. I’ve got the good fortune to travel all over the world. Never let the lack of funds get in the way of having fun. If you want to make something happen, you will. Life is too short. Don’t throw it away. Sometimes you spend the money to experience the best. You can experience the best of some things if you just get a cookbook or trying different cheeses instead of eating a frozen meal.”