We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kevin Barranco. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kevin below.

Kevin, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

To tell the truth, feeling happy and even fulfilled is a subjective idea. There are times I feel wholesome as ever, and there are days where things barely make sense. That’s what makes the experience more enriching and exciting.

I do sometimes think as to how it’d feel to go back to consistency and a more stable mental state instead of living the wild lifestyle of an artist. Then I answer my own question by realizing I wouldn’t give it up for anything less than I was meant to fulfill with my talents. The life of an artist is meant to include passion, turmoil, successes, losses, thrills and times of dullness. I’m not in it for the money, or for others’ acceptance of who I am. I am in this for the sake of providing myself with sanity and a to supply myself the enriching gift of creating.

Just these last two weeks I have had so ask myself what I truly want out of my life, and that meant dealing with some harsh truths. Am I creating the type of work that means the most to me? Am I overworking my creativity to play into a society that expects me to turn over work on almost a daily? Should I take time off to purpose something else? After thoughtful consideration, some crying, and the help of my ancestor artists, I knew I should keep going no matter how hard the road gets. There’s larger visions for me to keep pursuing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have always had a creative look on life, and would create from anything I could get my hands on. After a brief college education in the culinary arts, I eventually decided to switch over to the visual arts. I decided to take a stab at the freelance life as the COVID-19 lockdown happened. It was a time when things were uncertain, and making art was my ticket to escape the world.

I currently focus mostly on fashion and creative photography, although being a multi-faceted artist I do also dabble in graphic design, videography, and 3D art.
I help my clients and friends execute visuals that are important for their own projects. I also help others during times in their life where some extra confidence, boost in social media, or otherwise is necessary. What sets me aside from others is my use of constant change and creativity to paint each individual in a unique and different way. My ever-evolving style allows me to step out of the box with any given project. I also pride myself in my use of technique and lighting.

I love tackling challenging and immersive projects. I would enjoy to be able to travel some more and be able to re-invest in my craft.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think society should be better about creating spaces where artists can shine to their full potential. We should also raise the standards by which artists are compensated for their hard work and rare skills. We should collectively see artists as contributors to our daily life. Art is more than just something pretty to look at. Art moves people, it inspires the masses, it creates a world that is infinitely better.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I actually built my audience by word of mouth mostly. I try my best to connect personally with those that I meet and with fellow creatives. I also try to make it to events where I meet others that sometimes end up becoming clients as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kiwifilm.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xvkbarr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xvkbarr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftv7KdCqGl81QPjsIfs0cA
• Other: LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/xvkbarr

Image Credits
Aleex West for portrait of Kevin Barranco. Rest of images are by Kevin Barranco.