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

Hi Kaylon , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Honestly, I don’t think there was a first time. I feel like it’s one of those things that gradually happened. I’ve always had a creative background. I dabble in a few different art forms, starting out with drawing and painting in grade school, photography in college, which led to modeling a few years after, and now acting. Some time in college between the transition from painting to photography, I participated in an art show and sold a painting. Perhaps at that point was when that trickle effect began. Actually, prior to any of this, as a kid, I do remember selling old drawings in 5th grade for like two bucks, so maybe it started there.

Kaylon , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As I’ve mentioned, I have always had a creative background. I am inspired by the art of storytelling through the art forms I harness. I fancy the idea of being able to connect with others below the surface through art and ultimately find a way to bring people together. My art forms are drawing, painting, photography, modeling, and most recently acting. Throughout my years I’ve transitioned from the former to the latter, exploring different sides of my creativity, who I am, and how these art forms influence me. However, I am gravitating more towards modeling and acting at this particular time in my life because it aligns with who and what I’ve grown into, although I shoot photography on the side. Painting comes to me in specific moments and I’d create that recently inspired me. Nature, music, personal experiences, and meaningful situations are the core of that inspiration.

Something I am most proud of is being able to break out of a generational curse and a cultural box that tends to limit so many people. As an African American, I was brought up around and influenced by people with a systematic way of thinking in terms of race, gender, sexuality, and what it truly means to live a fulfilling life. I am proud to say that I have severed those bonds and am free to create, impact, inspire, aspire, and relish in all of the things in life that I find enriching regardless of what anyone has to say about them.

Today I am currently signed with Ursula Wiedmann Models in Atl doing commercial and theatrical work but I’m striving for even greater feats. I’ve developed a passion for lifestyle, high fashion modeling, and acting for the camera. People who are interested can also check out my Artist portfolio at www.knownbridge.com.

Fun fact: Bridge is a nickname I was given during an art excursion in Florence, Italy. I was 16 at the time and there was another kid with me who thought I “Bridge” the gaps of young intellectual and artistic minds.

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

My goal is to excel in my art forms, and master one of them (I’m letting fate decide which of those it will be), but my dream is to have an impact on the world to find a way to bring people together through art, even if it’s for a moment. I believe that would be the most fulfilling feat that I could ever achieve in my life.

For example, there is one creative project I’ve been trying to accomplish that I feel will bring some sense of unity in a way, but there have been so many variables in the way. I started a photography project called Collective Conscious that highlights different cultural backgrounds while emphasizing individuality. I intend to shoot as many different nationalities as possible and blazon the pieces in a whole new light. I see it as a way to shed light on diversity and unity among us humans. So far I’ve shot Nigeria, Kenya, Brazil, Bangladesh, Guinea, and The Gambia is next. I’d love to hit more of the Eastern side of the world but I’ll go where ever my endeavors take me.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This may sound a little cliche, but staying in my comfort zone is one of the most limiting habits I had to unlearn. Otherwise, I would have never grown into the versatile artist that I am today. A lot of it stems from our upbringing, some from past experiences, or just our need to feel at ease. There was a point in time when I had reached a dark point mentally, my self-esteem plummeted, and I lost a lot of people around me. I can laugh about it now but my closest friends could tell you how I was when they met me. However, it was because of that low point that I started asking myself what things I need to change in order to be better, in order to grow. You have to literally study yourself and learn your flaws so that you can find ways to overcome them. I learned that is how we evolve and a huge step towards reaching our optimal selves.

In 2020, I found myself just jumping into uncomfortable situations, solely because I knew it would benefit me. For example, modeling and acting requires fluidity, and the ability to completely unzip in order to be whatever or whoever it is you need to be in front of that camera. I had to let go of all the thoughts of what I would look like and how others would view me in order to break that barrier holding me back. Once you break that barrier, you begin to feel like you can do anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.knownbridge.com
• Instagram: @kaylonbaker , @knownbridge
• Facebook: Kaylon Baker
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylon-baker-a9615974/
• Twitter: kaylon_baker

Image Credits
Model Photos – Chrisean Rose (underwear), Alex Bryant (Suit) Artwork and Female model (me)