Today we’d like to introduce you to Kev von Holt.

Hi Kev, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always had this desire to explore the abstract side of art , as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, I would think while taking breaks from music , “I’d really love to explore the movement and texture in abstract art “ one day I found a trash can full of paint … while on my nightly trash scavenger hunt on the Philly streets … next to that trash can of paint was a bunch of canvas with fruit and landscapes scrawled on the haphazardly. .. I hauled them back to my tiny walnut street apartment and began to start to let out 30 years of angst and emotion onto the canvas . And then and there , the connection was made and the journey began . And that what has led me to still climbing the creative ladder to this day :) it is a story of inner turmoil and the anxiety that is always lurking inside me ,, I am like an emotional sponge of information , and when things are in turmoil all around me , either in my close relationships with family or friends or with the current state of the world , I tend to always react creatively. How did I get to where I am today … honestly …. I just don’t quit :)

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
So many struggles . Family , health issues (cancer) being homeless , poor , stealing food … and a healthy dose of depression have been struggles that shaped me not only as a human being but also as a human creative. ADHD is both a gift and a curse, the reason I can get so many works done is that I am normally working on 10 different paintings at once at any given time .

ADHD has fueled my intensity for art… And my enthusiasm for creatively learning BUT…
Sometimes it is something that holds me back from starting things… (Like answering these questions for this interview) lol!
My art and music and photography … Together are products of my hyper mania and distraction…
Sometimes I work so fast and erratic that I don’t notice a painting . Until It is finished … Then I say… “Cool I made that” … And I laugh :)

It’s all a struggle , until the bliss off creation can settle in and erase the overthinking mind , where the subconscious takes the wheel and all else falls into the rear view mirror .

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is a true reflection of my adhd .many styles. From abstract to contemporary, to more figurative works … and to be honest I just specialize in exploring my inner feelings and grabbing the creativity as it passes by close enough for my grasp to hold it long enough to bring it into the light :)
I am known for , being somewhat reclusive , I know it’s an “artist stereo type “ but the older I get (now almost 52 ) I realize I am good with how selective I am with my time and where I put my energy into this spinning rock we are on .
What am I most proud of .
Really ?
Well … life and love .
But creatively speaking …. I am most proud that I speak in my own voice and have always stayed true to who I am and what I have always believed .

And really nothing sets me apart from others . We are all unique in so many forms of self expression that for me to say I am set apart from others doesn’t feel completely right for me to say … I am just a human being … being a human doing :)

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk . Well as someone who suffers with anxiety disorder ..: mostly every day is a risk in my mind. That is something that I often struggle with keeping in check especially after going through major health issues. I haven’t always been aware of the risk that I am taking, but now looking back after 20 years of being a full-time artist, that was one of the biggest wrists that I ever have taken. Taking that leap of faith was a very scary moment for me, but I am thankful that I had a handful of very good people in my life that encouraged and supported me. With positive affirmations and confidence which lifted me up in some of my darkest days of doubt.. I think risk is inevitable in the creative process. Every time you stare at a blank canvas you are taking a risk with every Marc that you make and as the painting evolves, you were taking a risk every time you put more marks and gestures onto that canvas, and then it comes to the point where you look at it and you say, I wonder if it’s done and you are happy but then there’s that nagging feeling that says “maybe you should push this further “ but then there is another voice that says” it may be good enough the way it is right now. Maybe you should walk away and leave it alone.” But … it is always risky, but that is part of the allure of it for me., it’s risky, knowing when to stop. It’s risky, knowing when to start. It’s risky to rely on your own two hands and a feeling and a spark that you hope will start a fire inside enough to deliver something special.. it’s risky to face failure every time you sit down to create, but it is also triumphant after you look at risk in the eyes and tell her to shut the fuck up:)

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.kevvonholt.com
• Instagram: @kevvonholt – @kvhgallery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinvonholtermann
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kev-von-holt-1aa20713?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app