We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kendall Tyrone-Jenkins. Check out our conversation below.
Kendall , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Music!
Music has a way of putting me in a trance, so to speak. I love listening to it during my morning walks, while getting ready, sculpting, or whenever I need a mood boost. I listen to a little bit of everything, Neo-Soul to keep myself grounded, R&B when I’m in the mood for love, rap for energy, and country while I’m enjoying the patio on a sunny day.
Whether it’s Liv.e, BigXThaPlug, Chris Stapleton, or just a lo-fi beat, I appreciate good music. Neo-Soul is my go-to genre; I think it matches my personality. When I listen, I find that it recenters me and reminds me of who I am. It shifts my focus and makes me feel like I can accomplish the goals I’ve set for myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kendall. I am a Visual Artist and Sculptor. The Thrifty Carver is an art brand I created to showcase the beauty and excellence embodied by Black people and people of color, through sculptures made from repurposed objects and natural materials.
My art is for those who find beauty in everything, especially in items that might otherwise be discarded. I have a deep passion for realism, and with each piece, I challenge myself to see just how realistic I can make it.
I started sculpting in my junior year of high school, and I fell in love with it. Five years later, here I am. Right now, I’m focused on creating a collection of sculptures. When they’re ready to share, I’ll reveal them. Stay tuned!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a happy, spunky, talkative young girl, full of limitless creativity. I created exactly what I wanted, and I had fun doing it. I didn’t care what others thought about me or my art.
One of my favorite second-grade teachers let me have the big box that the zoo animal crackers came in after the class finished testing. I told her I was going to make a car seat out of it. I was always digging through the recycling bin, looking for plastic bottles and cardboard to make dollhouses. I made miniature furniture, a wooden floor out of popsicle sticks, and used carpet samples I found at Home Depot. It truly felt euphoric. The love I have for art radiated the strongest during my childhood.
Unfortunately, when I became an adult, I realized I had lost that creative spark I had as a child. I think it started to fade around fourth grade and even more once I got to high school. I succumbed to the teenage experience, trying to make friends, obsessing over looks, dealing with bullies and boys, and navigating the chaotic journey of self-discovery.
Despite everything, I managed to salvage just enough to keep me going. I thank my high school sculpture teacher and my art professor for understanding me, keeping me inspired, and providing a space where I could create in my own way.
Over time, I’ve learned so much about myself. It’s important to have fun, get in touch with your inner child, and stop being so serious. Please! Don’t let the responsibilities of life consume you. Make time to breathe, stay true to yourself, and do the things that bring you pure joy.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of making mistakes and being judged has held me back the most in my life. Coupled with anxiety, I’ve often prevented myself from taking opportunities. I shied away from events that required me to speak in front of people because I believed I couldn’t do it.
I can admit that I’m still learning that making mistakes is normal. I can’t expect myself to know how to do everything. Mistakes are imperative for growth. If you go through life doing everything right, which no one does, how will you learn? Although it doesn’t feel good to mess up, making mistakes can be humbling. It forces you to accept imperfection and teaches you to reflect and take accountability.
With social media and technology being so prevalent in the world, it’s even harder to avoid judgment. There will always be someone who may not like your art, how you look, talk, or think, and that’s okay. There are ways to manage your emotions and use features to block comments and messages.
I can’t let any negative opinion stop me from being an artist.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
This is an interesting question. I think to a certain extent, everyone has a part of themselves that they keep private. You might show a different version of yourself at work than you do around family, friends, or a spouse and that doesn’t mean you’re being fake.
I would say that I’m selective with the parts of myself that I choose to share with others. It doesn’t mean I’m being any less real; it just means I’m protecting parts of myself that I don’t feel need to be on display for everyone. My level of comfort depends on who I’m around and the situations I’m in.
The public version of me is still me, but it’s a more guarded version. I think that’s natural. I’m most comfortable in the privacy of my room, where I can truly be myself without worrying about being judged or misunderstood.
As I grow, I’m learning how to bring more of my full self into different spaces, but I also understand that not every space deserves full access to who I am. Boundaries are a form of self-care, not inauthenticity.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What light inside you have you been dimming?
Earlier, I talked about losing the creative spark I had as a child, and in all honesty, it’s been difficult to get it back to where it once was. I do believe that artist block is real; however, at some point, you have to dive deeper and ask yourself why you’re struggling to create.
I discovered that I was creating for social media, rather than creating what I truly wanted. I ended up posting more than I was actually making, and I became concerned with what others might think about my work before I even sculpted it.
Answering these questions makes me smile, because I’m reminded of my childhood and the kind of art I used to make. I have potential, and I’ve been holding myself back. My sketchbook is full of a plethora of ideas that I need to stop sitting on. It’s time to get back to sculpting instead of just thinking about sculpting.
I’ve worked so hard to find that spark again. It comes in waves, but I strive each day to maintain consistency. I have a collection of found items that I’ve been waiting to incorporate into a sculpture, from CD cases to pill bottles, even eye droppers.
I’m excited to finally bring my ideas to life and share them with you all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/thethriftycarver/home/contact
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethriftycarver/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-tyrone-jenkins
