Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie Edmondson.
Mackenzie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I suppose you could say I was born into it. My family has always been creative. Both of my parents were actors, my grandmother is a sculptor and oil-painter, and I have cousins who thrive in other disciplines. In all honesty, it was as intimidating as it was inspiring being surrounded by so many talented people. It made it difficult to find my niche. I loved every discipline and wanted to do a little bit of everything which was what led me to film; it uses aspects from each art-form.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My medium choice is very mood-driven. Sometimes it’s a short story, sometimes a song, and other times even a painting. The only goal I have when I work with any medium is to tell a story. Stories bring people from different walks of life together. That doesn’t mean they have to like the story I’m telling; maybe they’ll connect with someone because of how much they hate it. I want my work to form a connection between people because the process of creating to work often stems from connections. Collaborations are one of my favorite things. So much more can come of a piece when you invite others to create it along with you. My favorite creations have been those which friends or family have been involved.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
It’s become more accessible to distribute art through social platforms, but because of that, there is so much more competition. It’s incredible that so many more people are accessing their creative sides and are brave enough to showcase it, though having so much competition can sometimes seem overwhelming. Because of that, I think one of the best ways a city can encourage other artists is by not pitting them against one another. Art is not created to compare with other artists; it’s individualistic. Just like no two people are the same, no two works are the same.
Another way to encourage the art community is to recognize it as more than a” hobby.” I can’t even count how many times people have thought that because I love what I do, I’d be willing to do it for free. Artists don’t want internships for” experience” we want jobs so that we can pay our rent and buy groceries. If you want an artist to thrive, pay them for their services. They’re more likely to create when they’re not worrying about how to afford their living expenses.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I’ve got a few things on the horizon, most of which can be spotted on my Instagram (@doeeyedlunatic). Right now, I am working as director of photography and editor on a series called” Presto! Fairy Tales” created by an excellent Houston-based team, so I’d recommend checking that out on YouTube; we will be funding for the second season of that soon.
If you like weird (and poorly recorded) music, I think some stuff recorded by my cousin Charis and I is still on Spotify or iTunes under the name” Friends That Are Cousins.” I do take commissions and am always looking to collaborate, so feel free to reach out!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doeeyedlunatic/
- Other: https://youtube/0hJ6NSCS2Ac
Image Credit:
Personal photo: Paulina Mendoza
Neon Sign Photo: Paulina Mendoza
Kneeling with camera: Jeff McMorrough
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
