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Meet Tyler Kay of Tyler Kay Designs

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Kay.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began painting and drawing at a very young age. The ability and urge to create flourished in my creative young mind. My family moved often during my adolescence, and as a result, I became more involved with sports in an effort to meet new friends. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I made the decision to pursue art as a career. This life changing decision was based on a traumatic experience that left me questioning my true purpose. My boyfriend of 2 years was tragically killed in a passenger car accident during winter break of my freshman year of college. I wholeheartedly began living each day as if it were my last and doing what I loved; art.

Prior to pursuing my career as a full time artist, I studied Economics. The typical fear of “not making enough money” was the reason I did not foresee being an artist as a sustainable career path. My decision to become an artist full time required a whole lot of faith and alterations every facet of my life. To begin, I took two unpaid internships at local art galleries while still attending school full time. After several months, I selected one gallery to continue with. Four and a half years later, I am now serving as the artistic director for the same entity, Bisong Art Gallery. Initially, I assumed my career would entail becoming a curator or gallery owner, but my destiny chose otherwise. I was asked to commission my first artwork for a client in 2012. The painting was a 12×24 in. canvas of leopard eyes and sold for $100. From this day forward, one after another, custom paintings were requested on a regular basis. Eventually local businesses and homes requested larger scale creations, and the domino effect continued. I decided to establish my own business, Tyler Kay Designs, in 2013 and offer services such as graphic designing, mural and logo renderings, and custom artwork. Throughout this growth and transition, I have learned important lessons of faith, humility, rejection, and perseverance. My intent from the beginning was to be a “jack of all trades” and be knowledgeable and able to create anything a client brought to me. I couldn’t afford my own laptop when I first began producing graphic designs. I would stay in the university computer lab until close, watching YouTube videos to learn the software. As glamorous as it seems to make my own schedule, travel, and do what I love for a living it has not come easy by any means. An entrepreneurial lifestyle means I never see my family or friends, I typically get about 4 hours of sleep a night, and I work 7 days a week. I like sharing both sides of my career and the journey because I feel as if social media glorifies lifestyles similar to mine and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, a huge reason I am so drawn to working with young kids is I love to encourage them to pursue their passion in life. With hard work and determination you can make any dream a reality and I am living proof.

My artwork within the past year has heavily focused on engaging the public with their surroundings. The burgeoning list of public works created includes commissions by entities including; The City of Houston, The City of Bryan, The University of Houston, Converse, Saint Arnold’s Brewery, Sharky’s Waterfront Grill, The Downtown Club at Met, Typhoon Texas Water Park, J-Dance Company, Baileson Brewery Company, and many more. Aside from my public works, I premiered my first painting series titled “Glitch”, in December 2016 at Art Basel Miami.

“Glitch”
noun \ˈglich\: an unexpected and usually minor problem; especially: a minor problem with a machine or device. The series titled Glitch explores the societal challenges to sustain attention amid the constant distraction from technology. In addition, Glitch provides a parallel to flaws and occurrences that present themselves in our lives. “The numerical values presented in the Glitch series are based upon the dates of prior occurrences within my life; to which I fully acknowledge as instances of redirection towards my bigger purpose.”

“The significant dates included within each of my paintings represent moments that ordained deep change within my life. Furthermore, the appearance of a glitch or malfunction within each composition corresponds to my interpretation of how everything is dehumanized when interpreted through technology. What does it take for today’s age to recognize beauty- is it only through filters and digital displays that one can take notice of the beauty in the world around us and the capabilities within themselves”? I wish to develop this consciousness and appreciation of one’s surroundings. There is no room for calmness in our accelerating and technological lives these days. There is a void today, and people want connections. We need connections with people and places. We need storytelling and poetry, a handwritten letter, and flowers at the door. I strive to put the viewer in a simple and beautiful world.”
–Tyler Kay

In the future, I strive to extend community outreach by utilizing various artistic programming. During the month of May, I completed a community mural project on the Island of Skopelos, Greece. The duration of my residency with The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts included; instructing public painting classes, rendering murals within the local elementary and middle school, and documenting the native floras found on the island through painting. I am currently back on the Island of Skopelos where I will be establishing The First Annual Skopelos Youth Mural Festival. Upon completion of this festival, I hope to create a traveling program focused on engaging the youth within the arts, encouraging self-expression, and exploring their own creativity in underdeveloped cities worldwide. My studies directly correlate with my public works through the enrollment as a graduate student at The University of Houston within the Master of Arts Leadership Program. I am currently exploring options to pursue my doctorate at UH. My focus would be in multicultural cultural studies with an emphasis on civic art and community engagement.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since I was 18, I have paid for my own school and all living expenses. My financial stability has always been what I make of it. How hard I am willing to work. I had always been ambitious but not for something I was passionate about. My boyfriend was a star athlete, being scouted to play point guard at Ivy League Schools all over the nation. Upon his death, I wholeheartedly decided that my life would be what I make of it and my fears were my only limitations.

It was, and still is difficult at times to invest all of my disposable income to the furtherance of my career. In the end, there is nothing more than I would rather be investing in than myself, my education, and my career.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tyler Kay Designs – what should we know?
My company, Tyler Kay Designs, focuses on creating especially to the client’s vision. Whether it be a custom painting, large scale mural, or a graphic design concept for your own company, I work with the individual to bring their idea to life. The process of rendering mural and painting designs with each individual is so special. I feel as if I am simply the creator while they are the in visionary. It’s incredibly rewarding to create for someone and for them to then have their vision in a tangible form.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am truly in love with my career and my ability to create. I began my journey off of nothing other than my faith and belief in myself and my passion. I do not define my success by monetary means but rather by how many individuals and communities I can touch with my artwork. I believe this the true characteristic that sets me apart from others. My gift to create was meant for a bigger purpose than just consumption and I fully intend on making a difference in my lifetime with my artwork.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Personal photo – Alex Hamm

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.

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