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

Hi Kevin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I think most kids as they grow up lose the ability or focus on other aspects of life and put their artistic nature behind them. For me creativity and imagination was second nature. While other kids in my academic career were out-going, participating in class regularly, and nurturing their connections with my peers, I kept to myself. I doodled, made up stories with intricate plots, and lived in my own world.

Getting into High School, like everyone else, I tried desperately to fit in with everyone. I did not feel comfortable there until in 10th grade I signed up for a photography class. That decision changed everything. I finally found a medium in which I could express everything my speech couldn’t. I am pursuing an artistic/creative career because that’s the only world I feel understood. Looking back at it now when I was researching classes to take at Georgia State University, Fine Arts was the only major that stood out to me. It glowed like a beacon.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think we need more Queer, Latine voices in the Art World. I’m one of a few hundred and even then I try my best to give Queer Latine Artists a platform when I come across them. I think what sets me apart from other Artists is that I live a liminal life, always between two worlds. My Art portrays a lens into what it’s like living with dual-citizenship from Mexico and The United States. I incorporate my Latine Heritage from the motherland and the slow gentrification of my city, here in Georgia.

Right now, I’m most proud of my series ‘Leave This Blue Neighborhood’ because it was the accumulation of all the hard-work I put into my undergrad career at Georgia State University.

The way that I got to where I am professionally is getting high marks all through my academic career and qualifying for scholarships. It was not easy. This year I was researching a psychological theory of the best way to help a child grow into the best adult they can be. There’s a Glass Child, Dandelion Child, Tulip Child, and an Orchid Child. This ties into how I got to where I am professionally because it showcases how I react in certain environments. I’m an Orchid Child, this means I require specific accommodations in an environment or I’ll wither away like a delicate orchid. For example, I think the only reason I got high marks in school was because I thrive where there is structure, rules, and set outlines. However, the hardships now lie in the real world. Life is not structured, it has no rules like school, and there is certainly no outline on how you should be the most successful.

The challenges I’m facing right now is proving my skills to people who run the Art World and hopefully get my name out there to receive more opportunities.

The hardest lesson I had to learn is letting go of control. I think that is what draws me to photography. What you see is what you get. I’m learning how to think further outside the box and incorporating more metaphors in an already analytical world of photography.

I want the world to know my name. Kevin Pedroza, the artist who tells stories with poetry and photography.

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.
This is easy! My friends know me for making itineraries for fun.

okay on Monday that will be the day they rest! We will just hang in my town. For lunch we will go to Armandos because that man makes the best quesadillas in Fairburn, Georgia. Then we will go home and watch horror movies and make Halloween sugar cookies, since it’s October. I think it’s best to marathon the Scream Franchise! However, I’m always open to other movie recommendations.

On Tuesday, we will watch all the new movies out in theaters because it’s movie Tuesday for Fandango members. For dinner we go to Fridas in Fayetteville. They have the best smoked salmon over rice I tried. I’m not much of an alcoholic drinker so my go to is always Sprite. However I do recommend their lime margaritas. Also another restaurant that sells authentic Mexican dishes is Sabor a Mexico. I recommend all their specialty drinks as they are creative!

On Wednesday we will go to Six Flags. My favorite time to go to a theme park is during Halloween. Im a big rollercoaster goer and my favorite ride right now is the Monster Mansion and the Twisted Cyclone. I love pretzels and funnel cakes so we will definitely eat that.

On Thursday we will go to the Georgia State fair. I think this one is more for nostalgia than anything.

On Friday we will go to my Parents farm in Griffin, Georgia. My parents are currently fixing it up but I think it’s good to be in the middle of nowhere there’s just trees and acres of land. S’mores will definitely be a staple at night.

On Saturday we will do a lot of the touristy stuff that’s in Atlanta. We’ll Go to the High Museum, Piedmont Park, Olympic Park, Sky View, Underground ATL, and hopefully we get to walk around Little Five Points. We will eat dinner at Cafe Intermezzo.

On Sunday my mom will probably encourage us to go to church. So we start the day at St. Matthews Catholic Church then go to Picnic Park in Peachtree City. We will eat lunch at a really good Japanese restaurant called GOTO. My favorite dish is KATSU DON.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to credit my little sister Kari Pedroza, who was my first model in the stories I began creating since 2014. Almost a decade later she still helps me out; on standby whenever I need to meter the light, a moody model, and accompanying me to locations. She’s also the biggest cheerleader even though she would like to keep it low-key.

Website: https://kevinpedroza.myportfolio.com/home

Instagram: @knowingkev

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-pedroza-1867571ab/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kpedroza98?si=C62oleGxqqhQDLgt

Other: My Letterboxd is septembereevee for all my movie recommendations and ratings.

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