Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendall Tyrone-Jenkins
Kendall, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Kendall Tyrone-Jenkins. I am a Visual Artist and Sculptor, from Arlington, TX, and a recent graduate of Prairie View A&M University. I have aspired to be an artist since I was four years old. It started with me raiding the recycling bins and my great-grandmother’s closets. I would use plastic bottles, boxes, carpet samples from Home Depot, and other objects I found. I made dollhouses, a dress, and a cardboard computer. I even believed I could make a real running car. My passion for art was passed down from my pawpaw to my mother, to my youngest aunt, and then to me. They have inspired me to pursue art and change the narrative for other upcoming artists. I fell in love with sculpting my junior year of high school. I was accidentally placed in a sculpting class instead of drawing. Staying in the class was the best decision I made. I was allowed to experiment with different mediums and got the freedom to go through my own creative process.
The first sculpture I made was a plate of sushi, that I will never get rid of. I started competing in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE), and travelled to State VASE in San Marcos, TX. While at Prairie View A&M, I had my first pop-up shop at Pancakes and Booze in Houston, TX. I joined the United Brand Association, where I began doing pop-up shops on campus, and bonded with student entrepreneurs. The Summer of 2024 I completed my first art residency at Project Row Houses in Houston, TX. This experience challenged me in ways I could not have imagined. I was surrounded by other artists, received mentorship, exhibited my artwork, and gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to be an artist. To me this was my first big win, that I will cherish forever. Since then, I have exhibited my work at the Brookshire Pattison Library and the Arlington Public Library. After years of practice, research, and encouragement from my mentors, I decided to turn my passion into a business during my final years of college. I have battled with pursuing my artistic abilities as a career, afraid of lacking stability and being a starving artist. Looking back at my experiences has shown me that it is possible for me to pursue what I love. I am learning as I go and embracing this process of becoming an artist and an entrepreneur.
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?
This road has not been smooth. I don’t know a road that is. I struggle with public speaking, self-doubt, and consistency. These things do not go away overnight and take time and patience to improve. I am an introvert, who gets anxiety around crowds, and it is difficult having to get in front of an audience. People want to know the meaning behind your work, your story and who you are. I see now why art instructors have us do critiques. They were preparing us to be comfortable talking about our work. The critiques were just the start. Before I changed majors, I was a Digital Media Arts major. At our town hall meeting, we were told that we had to do portfolio reviews at the end of every semester. My heart dropped to my stomach, and I don’t think I was the only one. We had to wear business attire and present our portfolio in front of our class and teachers in the arts department. My hands would shake, my stomach would hurt, and I’d start talking fast. I would feel so relieved and a little sad when it was over, but they helped me. Although the nerves never went away, the repetition helped me practice and build my confidence. During my residency I had to speak in front of the crowd, introduce myself and talk about the work I was showing. At the Brookshire Pattison Library, I was unexpectedly interviewed on live. Then at the Arlington Public Library, we had to introduce ourselves and speak about what inspires us. I needed to understand that public speaking is part of being an artist. It’s going to take me out of my comfort zone and that’s okay, because it means that I am growing.
During this journey, I have also struggled with self-doubt and staying consistent. In a world where people are consumed by social media, the need to make content and share your process can be daunting. I got lost in trying to create artwork for other people versus creating what I love. I found myself less excited about art and ended up posting more than creating. No number of likes, or comments from social media can determine your success or whether you’re a good artist. I had to first notice the problem, second change my mindset, and third change my habits. I saw a quote the other day that read “20 minutes of doing something is more valuable than 20 hours of thinking about doing something.” What helps me is making a routine and planning steps to remain disciplined, while giving myself a little grace. I needed to be patient with myself to fall back in love with art. Every day is not easy, but I make sure that part of my routine is spending time creating. It could be five, ten, or twenty minutes. For me, those five minutes end up turning into hours. So, make time in your day to create, listen to music, watch your favorite show, work outside, set your space up how you like. Do whatever you need to do and get creative!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a passion for realism and a keen eye for detail. I sculpt, realistic, miniature to life-size sculptures of people along with other conceptual pieces. I gather inspiration from myself and the beautiful people of color around me, whether it is the clothes they wear, their hair, or facial features. I love working with clay and repurposed materials to convey a blend of personal thoughts, experiences, and historical events. My favorite medium is pottery clay; however, I have used a variety of mediums such as polymer clay, paint, plaster, wood, and digital programs. My earlier works focused on pertinent topics such as body image, oppression, and colorism, however my work has shifted to enthusiasm as I strive to capture the beauty and excellence embodied by Black people.
I am most proud of my sculpture called Circuit: The Power of Connections, which I created during my residence, and the piece that I’m currently working on. Circuit: The Power of Connections is a collection of three heads. They represent everyday people and how the words we hear and the people we meet have the power to spark our imagination. I only had 6 weeks to come up with an idea and sculpt three new pieces. It takes time to sculpt, for the clay to dry, and even longer to fire. Although I presented them without firing, I finished sculpting in three weeks and dried them while they were on display. Despite the humidity in Houston. I also experienced a series of unfortunate events in my life at the same time. I was miserable and I wanted to quit. It was a struggle to go to the studio every day, to smile, and talk to people. I was also living in a new city with a host family that I didn’t know, which wasn’t ideal, but in a way was good for me. It pushed me to explore the city and spend time alone. I learned how to manage my emotions and find balance between work and life. So, to say I finished it, makes me so proud! The sculpture in my studio right now is a tall bust, something I’ve never done before, and it has cornrows. I’ve been working on improving my ability to sculpt hair. There are ten meticulous braids, but I really love how it’s coming together. With each piece, I challenge myself to push the level of detail. It’s such a fun process, and I’m slowly seeing the difference compared to my older pieces. I want my sculptures to feel like they could come to life!
Hmm, what sets me apart from others? This is a tough question. There are thousands of amazing artists, each with their own style and creative methods. I create for fun, and it brings me joy to have been given this gift to share with the world. To live in this world, we need to make money, and I’d like to make a living with my gift. However, I don’t want to make anything for the sake of having something to put out. My art is a reflection of who I am and there is only one me. I’m committed to creating pieces that evoke emotional connection and serve as a positive representation of Black people, without being tied to our imperative, yet unnerving history. I want to share my experiences and connect with others who either relate to them or can empathize with the meaning behind my work.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The people and the street art! The people and the street art are the best things about Houston. Everyone I’ve encountered has radiated positive energy. I like the way they express themselves whether it’s through fashion, art or music. The community feels so welcoming, and I always have a great time when I visit. I remember driving through Third Ward and the Midtown area seeing the murals painted on the buildings. I would pass them in awe. If I got lucky, I’d snap a picture. My least favorite thing about Houston is the traffic and how big the city is. I’m not a big fan of large cities. I love calm, country areas. I got stuck on a highway during work traffic and I had to take some deep breaths and get off as quickly as I could. Despite that I love being there and Houston will be seeing more of me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/thethriftycarver/home
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-tyrone-jenkins-847472277
Image Credits
Qwest Courtney
Alex Barber
