Conversations with Kayla Kemp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Kemp.

Kayla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, let’s go back to elementary school. When I think back to when my love for art started, I always go back to elementary school. We had to create a drawing for inspiring careers/futures. I remember the picture I drew got selected and posted on the hallway bulletin board. From that moment on I continued to follow my creative path from elementary, to middle school and high school.

Once in high school (Hazelwood Central), I continued to take art and pottery classes all 4 years. I was recommended and approved for the advanced classes and I had my art selected to be used as a flyer for the school’s art show. After high school, I attended St. Louis Community College to attend pharmacy tech classes. After attending for 2 years I realized that was something I really didn’t want to do. I took a break from school for a while and continued to just draw and paint for fun.

I eventually went back to school for interior design at The Art Institute of St. Louis. When attending the Art Institute I took multiple drawing, paint, and design classes. These classes sparked my interest back up with painting. Unfortunately, the school closed and my courses had ended. Even though the school closed, I learned a lot from my teachers and classes which lead me to become a better artist.
\ Once college was over I continued to juggle between working full time and creating artwork. My best friend, Chasatie Jordan curated her first event at Urb-Arts and I was the artist featured in it.

That was my first time ever displaying my art in a public art gallery. Once I displayed my art at the gallery, things begin to take off. I entered multiple art shows & was accepted into many as well. I was proud that I got to showcase my work and have my art hanging in someone’s home or place of business. To this day, I am still working full time, continuing my artwork/shows, and creating of business of my own!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting off was somewhat a smooth road, then a few rocks came along. As stated before, I had my first art display in September 2017. I remember my friends and family being there telling me how proud they were, especially my Pops. Then one month later after that celebration, my father passed away. That took a huge toll on me. Considering I was his only child, it was hard to fathom the thought of my Pops no longer being here.

I became depressed and pulled away from art for a sec. About a year went by and I started to tap back in and the ball started to roll. In 2019 I had accomplished curating my first art show “The Shoedio: Art Exhibit”. I’m a sneakerhead so all the art was based around shoes. I had a nice turnout and a lot of sneakerheads showed up, so I was proud. As time went on of course 2020 rolled in and shut everything down. In February of 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my first child; Harmony. By March, covid was affecting us hard and by me being pregnant I was considered high risk. I was still going to work at this time while pregnant and not being able to be in shows or be social really put me in a depressing state of mind again.

Once my child was born my focus totally shifted from my art career to being a new mom. It was tough going through this pandemic but time moved on and things started to open up. Virtual Art Shows began to come about and then eventually galleries/event spaces were back in business. Since then I have been in a few shows and events this year, trying to continue growing. Now, my daughter is one year old, I’m a full-time manager and I’m trying to balance my art life/career.

I am thankful God is showing me along the way, my pops is my guardian angel and I’m heading towards future success!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
There are two things I love to do; acrylic painting and wood burning. My style of painting is a mixture of cartoons with a hint of realism. I also like to use words in some of my pieces just to capture people’s eyes. Another form of art I to do is wood burning. This tends to catch people’s attention the most. I draw and burn the image into the wood, then I use stain and paint to complete it. I would say that this is what I’m known for doing to no other artist in our area doing it (well none I’ve seen or know of). I like that my work stands out, I like to be different, creative and grasp people’s attention.

I thank God that I have a few things to be very proud of. My design was chosen for the Art Institute library display, having my first successful art show curated by me, I won audience favorite for Delmar’s “Mannequin on the Loop”, I was able to paint Home Depot’s mascot on their wall in the store. and having customers love my work and want to buy it. I also started my own t-shirt brand called “Be Raw”. Be Raw was created to inspire women and men to embrace their natural self, love their raw forms, and accept their amazing flaws. All the shirts have sayings that define the meaning of Be Raw. Now, one of my proudest moments was when I met my favorite rapper Big Krit!!

I did a wood-burning piece of him and brought it to his concert/meet and greet. The venue wouldn’t let me bring it in, so Big Krit’s cameraman (Sig) snuck it through the back for me. Once I got inside I was star-struck… Lol. I was expecting him to sign it for me but instead, he wanted me to sign it for him so he could keep it; MIND BLOWN. So now my favorite rapper has a K.K3MP piece. A Kansas City Chiefs player also has a piece of mine called “King X”. It is a wood-burning piece of Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X . These moments were amazing, along with those who purchased anything from me. I greatly appreciate it.

Even though I respect all my fellow artists out there, I feel as though I’m set apart just based on my creativity and as stated before my wood burning. I’m a very humble artist who loves to connect on a different vibe, set a good tone, and build great energy. One of the best feelings is when you catch someone staring and admiring your work and creativity.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey was to actually FOLLOW MY JOURNEY. Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from following your dream or at least attempting it. I procrastinated and wasted soo much time in the beginning. There were times I wanted to focus more on my art/creative side but instead I continued to focus on the 9-5 job. I let fear hold me back instead of taking my leap of faith.

Now, that I have a daughter, she’s most definitely my motivation to continue my dreams with art and create a path for her. I am also doing this for my Pops (RIH Ron Kemp). After losing him, I realized that you can’t take life for granted, so once again. Follow your dream/journey.

Pricing:

• $200-$600 depending on an art piece

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k_otic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.kemp.14/