We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kadeem Phillip a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kadeem, 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?

I would have to say, that I am truly happy as a full time artist/creative. I won’t lie and act as if it is a perfect thing. That there has not been a few bumps in the road, & that I have not seen my share of ups & downs. It’s actually been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. For the better part of the last 3 years, all of my income has been a result of my creative endeavors. Now, it isn’t always consistent. It definitely has it’s highs and its lows. I’ve experienced getting a check every few weeks from a gig, to not getting anything for 2-3 months & having to make due with what I have saved up. During those difficult times, I’ve definitely considered getting a simple job; but for me it’s been so hard to do that. I’ve been a working artist for close to 9 years. For 6 of those years, I’ve worked for a few different companies, in a multitude of positions. I’ve been a janitor, I’ve been a retail supervisor, & I’ve even worked as a call center customer service representative. I can tell you with no doubt in my mind, I would never want to go back to any of those jobs. In different positions I’ve had to deal with racism from management, feeling ridiculously underpaid and unappreciated. Also in those position, I have felt as if my humanity is just ignored. Whether it’s from the management or from the customers. It can bring upon a different level of stress. My last job I was a manager for an art supply store. My assistant general manager was someone who was seen as racist by many of the associates who came from different racial backgrounds. Even some of our customers complaint about her being racist. She would tell the security to follow me around & watch me. She would undermine me in front of the staff & question me for not “dressing” or having a “managerial” look. After dealing with that for an entire year, who would be in a rush to go back into that anything like that. I would rather double down, work on furthering promote my business & maybe looking into how i can create another stream of income.

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

I come from a very artistic family. My first ever art teacher was my mom. After her it was my uncle Kevin. She always wanted me to pursue a career as an artist because just loved the work I was creating as a kid. For sometime, I didn’t actually create. From about 13 years old to about 20 years old, I didn’t draw or paint. I wanted to blend in with everyone else. When I was 20, I found my passion for art again. I started to use it as an outlet to express my inner thoughts, my feeling & to just tell my story as a human being. That’s what I want people to take from my art work for the main part. You are entering my world. Seeing people that I have connections to, hearing stories I’ve been told in my life & they are being brought into that with each piece. I’m recreating the world I’ve been living in for the world to see. I leave a little part of me in everything. In my artwork, I try to be as vulnerable as possible. I feel that’s when I can get to express myself the best.

I went to college for business. I also have over 6 years of working in the customer service field. That’s one thing I pride myself on. When a client reaches out to me for a commission, I want to give them an exceptional express & fully bring their vision to life.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have a few different missions driving my creative journey. My first mission, is to show a lot of the kids that I’m working with that they can create a successful career in whatever field they want to. On top of that, I want them to be comfortable with being as true to themselves as they can. Everyone is truly unique, we were not made to blend in.

My other mission is to show, the power of vulnerability. I truly believe when you embraced being vulnerable; you realize how much courage it takes to share without the fear of being ridiculed. you’ll also find out that you aren’t necessarily alone. You will find more people that have been through the same things as you & that can even help you become more confident.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Understand that if an creative is showing you something that they are working on, its because they really trust your word & opinion.

Also, understand that we knew how risky & challenging this path would be. We understand that this isn’t a career with certain benefits or retirement plans. Yes, we know it lacks the structure & security of certain other paths. We know that & don’t need to be reminded of that. It’s not that we don’t care, we just already know those other career paths won’t always make us happy. We want those benefits, believe me we do but have to look for another way to get it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lifeofdeem.com
• Instagram: lifeofdeem

Image Credits
Kadeem Phillip