Today we’d like to introduce you to Kwanzaa Edwards.
Kwanzaa, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Well, I’ve always carried a passion for art since I was child. Making up stories in my head and creating original characters were just things to pass the time since I didn’t get out much. This went all the way until finishing high school. When it came time to start college I had no Idea what to study so I chose art until I found something that was sustainable. My indecision to pick a career path led me to getting my Bachelors in Art.
My art direction changed through college too. I went from drawing cartoon characters to abstract and sometimes gory art. After finishing school my work began to transition back to illustrations of made up characters. I began combining that with my painterly style I picked up from college. All of this while working odd jobs such as teaching and working as a cashier.
At some point in my teaching career, my art began getting popular around my small hometown. All the feedback I’ve gotten allowed me to get my own solo show and the local art gallery. Creating a body of work for that show made me realize that I’m my happiest when all I get to do is paint and draw and live a creative life. So that’s what I been pursuing. I document my work through social media and I submit to shows when I can, in an effort to have a sustainable career in art.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Much of my work is of women of color. Mainly Black women. In my time as an artist, I realized that Black women tend to be very underrepresented in art. When we are represented, it sometimes oversexualized and not representative of all black women. I make art of women who are quirky yet unapologetic about their quirkiness. I want my work to embrace the weird and creepy personalities that we have and see them as beautiful.
My work mainly consists of illustration because of my love for anime and manga aesthetics. It makes my art feel more genuine to myself when I see crisp outlines in my work as it is something that I’ve always enjoyed. I also have a fond love for the art nouveau style. In the end, the message of my work is to live your best life. To embrace the weirdness and let yourself shine despite any preconceived idea of you because of the color of your skin.
How can artists connect with other artists?
Start local. Find artists in your area. Take a weekly drawing or painting class. If there’s an art show in your area, GO TO IT. Follow artists on social media if you have it and leave comments on their work. (Don’t spam them though) I found that simple interactions go a long way in the art world so every little bit helps.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can view my work online at; kwanzaa-edwards.com
I’m also on Facebook as: Artist Kwanzaa K. Edwards
and on Instagram as: Empty_holiday
You can support my work by following my social media and if you would like to purchase art or prints you can message me on any of those platforms or through email. kkedwardsart@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: kwanzaa-edwards.com
- Email: kkedwardsart@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/empty_holiday
- Facebook: facebook.com/kwanzaaedwards
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
