We were lucky to catch up with Kennedy Ketcham recently and have shared our conversation below.

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

As far back as I can remember I’ve always been interested in expressing myself creatively. When I was in elementary I would make comics for my family to read, and by the time I was in middle school, I had sketchbooks that I would take everywhere with me. In high school, I filled my schedule with as many art classes as I could, but when it came to applying for college I was too afraid to pursue art so I entered college as a Psychology major. After only one semester I realized I didn’t want to waste my time or money on something I wasn’t fully invested in, so I immediately shifted gears to become an Art major.

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

I finished my undergraduate degree with a BFA in Printmaking, and while I developed a variety of skills in creating artwork, I still felt lost on how to be an artist professionally. I decided to pursue a master’s in Illustration to broaden my skills and knowledge. During my time in grad school, I learned more in-depth about the creative industry. We took time to learn about different markets, contracts, promoting your work, etc. Leaving grad school I felt much more confident in the work I was making, and connecting my work to others.

Soon after graduation, I moved to Richmond, VA where I knew no one. I decided to intern at a local communal art studio, StudioTwoThree, where I was able to connect with the community, learn from my fellow artists, and brush up on my printmaking skills from undergrad. It’s been an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful that a space like that exists. As creatives in today’s world, there is so much emphasis on your online presence, but I feel that many people forget how important your physical presence is.

As a freelance illustrator, I work on a variety of projects. Some projects I’ve worked on include product design, animation, book design, etc. One of the most fulfilling projects I’ve worked on was at a writing workshop for elementary school students. The students came together to come up with a short story, and as the guest illustrator, I was able to bring their story to life through illustration. It was such a joy working with the students, and I’ll never forget how excited they were to take their stories home with them. The connections I’m able to make with others through my work are a key motivator to continue pursuing this path.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

It took a long time, and sometimes I still have to work at it, but unlearning my negative self-talk has been one of my biggest obstacles as a creative. I don’t think I actually liked the work I was making until I started going to therapy when I was 22. It took a lot of effort to speak to myself in the same way I would a friend. Looking back at the work I’ve made over the last 10 years or so, I can see such a major shift in the work I was making once I started to treat myself with more kindness. My work became more lively, colorful, and fun, and you could tell I was enjoying making it.

I think a lot of artists go through periods where they feel imposter syndrome. I often felt this gap between my skillset and what I wanted my work to look like. I used to use those feelings to weigh myself down and live in fear, but transmuting those feelings into fuel to create has been so helpful. Instead of telling myself, “Oh *I* could never do that” when I see a piece that inspires me, I take time to study and play.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find the connections the most rewarding. Through creative expression, I’m able to connect with myself and the world around me. At the art studio where I intern, I’ve been able to meet so many artists who specialize in different mediums and are in different stages of their careers. Their support and advice have taught me so much. Through the studio, I’ve also been able to assist in printmaking classes with students, businesses, etc. Being able to share the joy of making art is so incredibly special.

I like to view client work as a collaboration. The idea that I connected with others to make a piece, and then we send that out into the world, truly fulfills me. Even the personal work I make has some layer of collaboration to it. My ideas don’t just pop into my head out of thin air. I take from the world around me, through my experiences, my connection to self and the universe, and all that energy sort of mixes together, and out comes some artwork. I often send my work to my friends for feedback and to bounce ideas as well. I don’t think any piece I make will ever be *just* me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://k4ken.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/k4ken
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/kennedy-ketcham-2b8b50149/
• Other: https://giphy.com/k4ken