We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julian Kennedy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julian below.
Julian, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve pretty much known since day one. Both of my parents are professional painters, so I was born into the art world—literally. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to both art and music. Different forms of creativity have always surrounded me, and over time, I started searching for my own artistic voice.
The deeper I get into it, the more motivated I am to make work that stands out. Every day, I’m experimenting and trying to get better at my craft. I know I’ve got a long road ahead of me, but being 20, I feel like I have a chance to get a real head start—and it’s been so exciting so far.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Most of my work is made with charcoal and oil paint—two mediums I love for their rawness and range. I’ve always been drawn to the human figure. There’s a timeless elegance in the body that I try to capture in each piece.
I’m especially interested in working with the human skeleton. There’s something really striking about the skull—it’s one of the most recognizable and iconic symbols in art history. I see it less as something dark and more as a way to reflect on time, memory, and what we leave behind. It’s been used for centuries to symbolize things bigger than ourselves, and I like tapping into that tradition while also giving it my own voice.
Right now, I’m still in school studying art, and it’s been an exciting time to push my work further and refine my technique. I’m learning so much—not just about materials and process, but about what I want to say through my work. Being at the very beginning of my career feels full of possibility. I know my style and perspective will continue to evolve, and I’m motivated by the idea that this is just the start of a much bigger journey.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One thing I’ve come to realize is that a lot of people outside the creative world define success very differently. For many, it’s all about financial wealth, a big house, and a prestigious job. I’ve always struggled to relate to that mindset. To me, if I had all the money in the world but never created anything meaningful, I’d still feel like I’d failed.
My version of success is about impact. I want to create art that moves people—something that resonates on an emotional level and leaves a lasting impression. You can’t take money with you when you go, but you can leave behind ideas, stories, and emotions that live on through your work.
My hope is to make art that’s remembered—not just for its technique, but for what it represents. I want it to reflect who I am, what I’ve felt, and how I’ve seen the world. In a way, I’m trying to leave behind a piece of myself that lasts.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to create art or music that genuinely impacts people—something that speaks to the heart and mind in a meaningful way. I’m not driven by fame or fortune; what matters most to me is creating work that I’m truly proud of.
Even if just one person’s life is changed by something I’ve made, I’d consider that a success. I’m not interested in making art that’s only decorative or surface-level. I want my work to have substance—to spark thought, reflection, and emotion.
At the end of the day, I hope to create something that matters, something that stays with people long after they’ve experienced it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliansargentkennedy.com
- Instagram: _juliankennedy._
