Today we’d like to introduce you to Kadeem Phillip
Hi Kadeem, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Art has been apart of my life from a very young age. My mom was pretty much my first art teacher, then it was my uncle. It was always seen as a way to express myself. It was an outlet for me to express things I couldn’t convey at a young age. For some time, probably between 14-21, I had stopped creating & drawing.
What drew me back to doing art was how bad my mental health had gotten at a certain point. Once I started creating, it brought me so much peace that it became something I wanted to make my full time career
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been the farthest thing from a smooth road. September would make 10 years I’ve been a full time artist. I’m that time span, I’ve worked 2-3 jobs to fund my create endeavors. I’ve lost some of my jobs because I spent too many night working late on artwork & overslept. I’ve gone completely broke on this road, I’ve been behind on my bills at one point.
At the same time just going through regular life has affected me to the point, I couldn’t even focus on my career. It ended up leaving me in a very weird place where I couldn’t express myself but also was emotionally such a reck.
Being a full time creative is being able to handle the highs & the lows
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My artwork has always served as a reflection of my life, depicting my mental state, worldview, and the persistent thoughts that occupy my mind. I view art as a means to construct a unique world of my own, one that I can share with the public and employ to tell stories that resonate with others.
Growing up in New York City during the 90s and early 2000s instills a certain toughness. You often witness, experience, and engage in situations well before you’re prepared for them. These experiences shape you in profound ways, sometimes leading to lasting traumas that may unknowingly guide your life as you accept them as your norm.
I was fortunate to be raised in an environment that encouraged emotional vulnerability, transparency, and vocal expression when dealing with challenges. Art and music became my refuge, allowing me to connect with concepts that made me feel less alone. Art provided the canvas for creating my own world where I could share everything I had seen and heard.
In 2017, I introduced a character named “Kadie,” whom I utilized as a totem symbolizing my inner child—my most vulnerable and raw self. Kadie enables me to craft a colorful, beautiful world while addressing the struggles I’ve faced, which many others can relate to.
Outside of my kadie character I do a lot of portraits & kind of flow with however I’m feeling. I know I won’t be here forever & that my artwork will live longer than I ever will. I believe that if my artwork is put together, you can get a full scope of my life & what I’ve been through
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Be willing to get out of your comfort zone. Be open to learning everything you can. Meet as many people as possible. Don’t be afraid to fail or fall. You have to. That’s where you learn the most; & lastly…..enjoy the journey
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lifeofdeem.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeofdeem
Image Credits
First photo: Instagram: photos_from_moro160