We recently connected with Kanda Parrott and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always really known it was a part of me. I started drawing very young, before school age, and throughout school I was always doodling in sketchbooks, on homework, and whatever else I could get my hands on. When I was in second grade, my family moved from a large city to a much smaller town and being the new kid, I wanted to find a place I could fit comfortably. I wasn’t sure where that would be. I think we all struggle with that at most of (if not all?) the transitioning points we face in our lives. My art teacher at this new small-town elementary school was one of the first to recognize I had a natural talent. Though I didn’t know what it meant at the time, she told me that “what you have could be more than just a hobby if you keep working at it.” Though I would go on to change my mind thousands of times, a veterinarian, a zoologist, a cosmetologist, I think I wanted to sing at one point, the idea she planted would stay rooted with me.

Kanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kanda, and I am a freelance artist. I work in primarily 2-dimensional mediums such as pens, pencils, and paint. My artwork ranges extensively from my personal work of self-discovery to working with design concepts by clients to construct their ideas into being. I’ve previously worked with companies to create product labels, business logos, and marketable merchandise as well as with individuals to create unique pet portraits, tattoo designs, fan art, memoriams, etc. Though I love to do commission work, my ever-growing body of personal work is what I pride myself most on and is why I’m often chosen by clients. I like to describe my artwork as a juxtaposition of the natural beauty we find in the world with the things that frighten us. Life and it’s balances and where we find ourselves within that balance. Lots of skulls with flowers and predators showing their gentler nature.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me personally, I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is to have a tangible outlet of, not only how you feel, but of your conscious thoughts. Artists have the ability to concrete things that would otherwise be bodiless. It can be so rewarding to see the dimensions of your inner workings on physical pieces of paper right in front of your eyes, even if you have no idea what the hell it means.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After finishing a few semesters in an arts program, my partner and I found out I was pregnant. It was great news however it was very unexpected and we ended up having to take a step back and go back to working full time at low-wage jobs. I unconsciously had put my aspirations of being an artist on the back burner because we had to make a living. This carried on for a few years where I was working in retail, serving, working as a barista, only allowing myself small amounts of time to practice here and there. I would get in trouble for doodling at work in my servers wallet. A few bosses even allowed me to draw on their ‘daily specials’ board. It wasn’t until I had my second child in 2018 that I was able to quit the ‘work force’ to stay at home with our children. While being a stay-at-home mom, I was able to come back to what I loved. It started out really slow and I have come such a long way since then.

Contact Info:

• Website: ArtbyKanda.net
• Instagram: @kandasaurus_rex
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Image of Kanda Parrott taken by: Dakota Alvarez