Meet Fine Art Photographer (and much more) Taylor O’Sullivan founder of Culterra with whom we’ll be setting our next communal table in the gorgeous etherial art gallery in partnership with Genevieve Willams of GW Contemporary in Laguna Beach.
The beauty of lark is that everyone can easily come along and gain insight + inspiration from all the people we meet along the way! Come with us, on a dive below the surface, with this Proust inspired questionnaire:
In brevity, how would you describe your upbringing?
I was raised in Southern California. As the oldest girl, I was independent, curious, and always eager to understand how things worked. I was always creative and loved being outdoors. I guess not much has changed.
Is there a moment in your youth that, looking back, inspired you to become immersed in the art world?
Looking back, the moment that set everything in motion was when I was 13 and unexpectedly placed in a video production class. I fell in love with it instantly. That early discovery led me to study documentary filmmaking at Chapman University, and from there, my path unfolded. After graduating, I spent over a decade traveling to more than 60 countries, working on films, television, and photography projects. Documentary filmmaking became the vehicle through which I experienced the world — and I always brought a film camera with me. Those years behind the lens shaped how I see, feel, and move through the world. They laid the foundation for the fine art photography I create today.
What makes your partnership with Genevieve Williams of GW Contemporary work?
This partnership works so beautifully because it’s built on deep mutual respect, aligned values, and genuine friendship. Gen is not only an extraordinary curator with an impeccable eye —she’s someone I trust implicitly and love spending time with. We bring different strengths to the table, but share a common vision for creating meaningful, intentional art experiences. Our working rhythm feels effortless and energizing. Whether we’re hanging a show or sharing a late-night laugh, it never feels like work. That sense of ease and joy is what makes this collaboration so special. I feel incredibly grateful to be building something together that feels both creatively fulfilling and truly aligned.
What characteristics would you use to describe Genevieve?
Gen is very bright, she has an incredible eye and she’s funny as hell. She is genuinely such a joy to be around!!
What perspectives have been gained from being immersed in Art?
Art has taught me how to truly see. To notice subtle textures, the way light moves across a surface, the relationship between form and feeling. It has shown me that beauty often lives in the in-between moments, in stillness, and in some cases, in imperfection. Being immersed in art has also deepened my trust in my own intuition. So much of my photography process is about following a feeling rather than a formula. Following an inherent draw. That kind of listening shapes not only how I create but how I move through the world. Art has become my way of slowing down, connecting more deeply with the natural world, and in turn connecting more deeply with myself.
What is it that you most want people to know about collecting art?
Collecting art is deeply personal. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to pay attention to what resonates with you and only you. The best collections aren’t built overnight or based on trends. They’re built slowly, with care, piece by piece. Art has the power to shift the energy of a space, to evoke feeling and reflection. When you find a piece that moves you, trust that. That connection is the whole point.
What is your most treasured possession?
Is it contrived to say my camera??? For real though. My camera has traveled with me through so many stages of life and has shaped the way I see the world. It’s how I observe, how I connect, and how I create art. My camera has helped me slow down and pay attention to the subtle details that often go unnoticed. It feels less like a tool and more like an extension of how I move through the world.
Are you the chef at home?
Absolutely! I love to cook. I’m Italian, so feeding people has always been a love language in my family. Gathering around a meal, sharing stories, and making something from scratch feels like one of the purest forms of love.
If so, what is your most prized ingredient?
Garlic. I truly think the limit does not exist when it comes to garlic.
If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Slim Aarons. An iconic photographer of the 60s and 70s, his work captured that era with a distinct style and an insider’s perspective that never felt invasive. I’d love to hear the stories behind the images and the fascinating lives they portrayed.
What is your idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is presence. Being deeply rooted in the moment, surrounded by beauty, purpose, and people I love. It’s a quiet kind of fulfillment that comes from a life of creation connection, and living with intention.
If you could enjoy another profession, what would it be?
I feel like it would always be something in the arts. That’s always felt like the most natural place for me. I never say never, but it’s hard to imagine a life where I’m not creating, not taking photographs, and not sharing my art with the world. It’s more than a profession, it’s truly the thing I love most in the world.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My grandma. She’s a total powerhouse. In the 1960s, she broke glass ceilings at the LA Times, rising through the ranks at a time when very few women held leadership positions. She traveled all over the world for her work, which was incredibly rare then, and she always did it with grit, style, and integrity. She was the one who first introduced me to the idea of travel and showed me what it means to live a bold, curious, and purpose-driven life. She’s been one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders, and I have endless love and admiration for her.
Have you watched or read anything interesting/inspiring lately?
I’ve been watching Li Ziqi’s videos. She’s a Chinese creator who documents a meditative, traditional way of life with incredible beauty and care. Whether she’s making tea or preparing food, everything is crafted by hand and rooted in nature. There’s something calming and inspiring about the way she moves through the world. It’s a reminder that slowness can be powerful, and that everyday rituals can become art when done with intention. You must give it a watch: Li Ziqi
★★★
Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.
Come on a lark with us!
Open invite. Limited seats.
