We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin James and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kevin, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from a very small town called Mount Vernon, Alabama which is a part of Mobile County. As long as I can remember I have been a lover of all art, so it is not a strectch that I grew into a creative.
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.
JOURNEY: My journey, like most people has not been straight forward. I still have numerous interests and still feel as though I have so much to learn. I am constantly trying to push the boundaries of my understanding and artistry by trying new meduims and finding ways to be creatively uncomfortable; to see what will emerge from the “abstract” of my mind in “to” the “reality” of this world…”abstract to reality”.
WHAT I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW: If I try to convey anything with my art it is that anything is possible with intuition, ingenuity, and openness to failure. Aligning with these things has shown me so much not only about my art, but also about myself, how I see the world, and how it sees me. Every photo that I take is not perfect, but neither am I.
GREATEST CHALLENGE: The greastest challenge that most creative people encounter, myself included, is bitterness. I know that can be a little confusing but imagine not having what you need (not want, but need) while a client haggles with you over a price. We are often overworked, under appreciated, and underpaid or find ourselves having to work a job we hate to support ourselves. This coupled with the former can be poisonous to the creative soul. It is imperative that we fight spreading this through our artistry; tainting everything we see, do, or touch. I am not suggesting that the artist should not hold a mirror up to the world when darkness presents itself, I am saying that the artist should only be a witness and not let that darkness come from within.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
PLACES I WOULD TAKE SOMEONE VISITING: While I don’t get out socially as much I would like to some of my favorite places are High Art Musuem, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Civil Rights Museum, The Battery, Little 5 Points, and Ponce City Market just to name a few. When I do go out I really just enjoy roaming the city and the surrounding areas hoping ro find that unexpected jewel and ATL has plenty.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank GOD for being the first creator; for placing art and beauty in everyone and everything. For placing those in my life you have believed in me even when I didn’t and don’t believe in myself…
Instagram: @abstract2reality
Image Credits
Kevin J. James @abstract2reality