We were lucky to catch up with David Paul Kay recently and have shared our conversation below.

David Paul, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Interesting topic when it comest to walking through the journey of growing as an artist. More or audience grows, more you “establish” yourself in the so called “art world”, harder it is to deal with being labeled. To me, the beauty of doing what I do is individuality. That’s how I look at art, I search for originality, individuality and fresh one of a kind voice saying something that has not yet been said. Though when it becomes your career, you find yourself as a part of some sort of corporate system, where the “corporation” demands for you to sit on the shelf they assigned to you. Simple solution, ignore it and keep doing what you do. Only you can see what you see with your eyes closed, that what makes you original as an artist and as a human, originality can never be categorized or labeled.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born far far away, in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. I was always an extroverted creative kid, started drawing and painting at a very early age, I believe I received my first spanking for painting a wall at the age of 3, I consider it to be my first mural. Growing up, there times of war, political and social turbulence. Art was always my escape. I became an apprentice of a local artist Avtandil Tatanashvili, he was a family friend who ran a public art school for kids and teenagers. He is the reason why I do what I do professionally today. He would curate monthly group shows of his students. I will always hold his memory dear.
I went to school in Oklahoma, after graduating, I got a degree in computer science and studied criminal justice, was a TV Show host, my biography is something of a story of Forest Gump. After moving to New York in 2008, I started making sketches, line work mostly, black and white, obsessively. Soon after I took it to canvas, walls, objects and that’s how my signature style was born, it kept growing and opening some amazing doors to me, taking me to some inspiring places and brought lots of fantastic people into my life.
At the end of the day, I’m just a simple guy who enjoys having a cup of coffee and a fruit salad at a local diner.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Art belongs to the people. Showing your true emotion seeing a painting brings to you means a lot to a true artist. Good parenting is encouraging your kid to create. Art is subjective, to each it’s own, if it’s not your cup of tea, that does not make it good or bad. When you look at a piece of painting, or a sculpture, don’t judge the artist by what you see, figure out if you connect or not, if you don’t, walk away, if you do, enjoy, indulge.
Advise to emerging collectors who are intimidated by astronomical prices on blue-chip art, invest in living artists, look for new, fresh art, connect, communicate. Approach the artists, or their representatives, watch them, if you can afford, approach with an offer, show them how you feel. Don’t treat artists as a commodity. Again, to each it’s own, find your own and appreciate.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Watching people stand in front of my piece and seeing them connect, seeing the energy transition from the canvas into their soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.davidpaulkay.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidpaulkayart/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/davidpaulkay
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpaulkay