Meet Kadeem Phillip | Multimedia Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kadeem Phillip and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kadeem, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe risk taking is very important when you’re an artist. I believe that when you’re willing to take risk; that when you find out what really works for you. What people are drawn to & it helps to develop a better understanding of self in a way.

I believe that sometimes, people are afraid to take risk because; They don’t want to fail or appear as if they have taken a loss. When in all actuality; that when you learn the most. You have to be a risk taker.

Jumping head first into a career, such as being a full time artist; most people will tell you “be careful, you don’t want to end up being a starving artist.” Eventually you hear that so much, it does become a fear of yours. That was something that did affect me a lot when. I had to start taking risk to actually grow. If I played it safe during some of the very crucial point in my career; I don’t know what kind of artist i would’ve been.

Risk taking is living outside of your comfort zone. The more I worked & created; the more I felt the urge to grow & it started once I just did something way out my comfort zone.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A lot of my art, is about telling a story that anyone could relate to. I want people to get lost in the artwork. Find different ways to put themselves in the pieces & just know “hey you’re not alone”.

Whether it’s something that made them feel down, or a beautiful memory they cherish, I want the artwork to tap in the emotions & give them a positive feeling. A lot of my artwork has secret messages & meaning to it. I’m very intentional with the colors I pick, the flowers I paint, & even the environments I create in the painting.

I think it’s important to tell my personal & I think it’s important to be intentional when you’re creating a painting. It’s important to understand the energy you put out to the world, because it does come back to you. When we’re no longer here, we only have the things we created left behind & I want my work to show & talk about everything I’ve been through & experience during my time here.

I want people to feel encourage. I want people to feel that they are not alone & inspired to do whatever it is that they want to. I want to just affect people positively.

I’ve faced a lot of challenges throughout my career. Being jobless, not making money to support my dream, not having a place of my own, self doubt; you name it I’ve been through it.

In the end, all of those challenges has taught me so much. Two of my favorites prepared for the unexpected & don’t bring yesterday’s issues, into a new day. Each & everyday is an opportunity to create something brand new.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend visiting for the week, I have a few spots in mind for sure. We would definitely have to go to some kind of sporting event. It’s New York City, it’s nothing like checking out a game out here. Food wise, we would definitely have to go to Suzy roti shop in Flatbush. Possibly Negril Bk as well. Bar wise, I don’t have an immediate spot in mind, so we have to jump around a few.

Being an artist in the city, I know we could find a few events to check out some work in person & finally; gotta try hotpot from 99 flavors

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Okay so this could be a long list, so let me say all of my close friends. (Malcolm, will, Johnnie, Chris, Ace, Nickie, Jessica & Flores) they have been around me majority of my life & constantly supported me. I love them all & they have helped tremendously.

My brother Kirt who’s basically my late night text companion when painting. Everyone associated with or that I met through Fantasy in color. Fantasy in color in general has helped me out tremendously.

Many of my Art friends. (you know who y’all are) you guys push me to get better.

& most importantly my mom. She was my first art teacher, she pushed me to pursue my dream & she’s my number 1 supporter

Website: Www.Lifeofdeem.com

Instagram: Lifeofdeem

Youtube: Lifeofdeem

Image Credits
First photo (IG: outlookonjames) Second photo (IG: Eternal.culture) Third photo: (IG: Tacha.Guts)