We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Verleen Killz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Verleen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I found joy and purpose in paying attention to the stories and moments in history where the culture was impacted, finding joy in giving a perspective of the impact growing up within the urban low income community .
One of my recent projects is called “Marco Polo” was a photo series highlighting men from urban communities creating their own lane in mens high fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, polo, & rugby. It is a special project for me because when i was teenager id see rugby, polo and Ralph Lauren brand everywhere, everyone wore something of that brand and you couldn’t turn the corner without seeing it. It was cool to be apart such a proud era in fashion. So i wanted to capture the essence of that era by collaborating with a stylist, and an art director to bring this vision to life. Everyone involved in this project participate for their faith in my vision and I am truly grateful.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Based in Brooklyn, I’m a versatile Black artist exploring the diverse experiences of the Black community through Afrocentric and abstract lenses. My discography comprises mixed media artworks, video art, and photography, each intricately capturing the essence and influence of Brooklyn.
In my creative journey, self-expression is integral. My art is a dynamic form of self-discovery, merging the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual facets of my being. Each piece is a labor of love and energy, a profound translation of inner visions into tangible forms. Despite the emotional toll, the process is deeply fulfilling, allowing my spirit to manifest vibrantly within the authentic layers of my work.
While being Deeply engaged in the creative process, I find inspiration in transformative moments, weaving the lessons they offer into the tapestry of my art. Sharing these experiences with a wider audience, my aim is to evoke a deep resonance and leave a lasting impact.
In the diverse interpretations my artwork elicits, I find fulfillment, recognizing the richness of individual perspectives. The unique dialogue between my self-expression and the viewer’s experience is a testament to the profound depth of artistic expression
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
as an artist, sometimes the most rewarding aspect is helping someone broaden the horizon of what their self expression could be. There are a lot of stigmas attached to artists to the point where i feel like people forget that the artists are also human, artists have a life, artists have hardships and stresses, sometimes artists have dry spell moments and creative blocks that are hard to get out of. Artists are not creativity machines and require just as much mindful accommodations as other people with other professions. Ive had to learn this the hard way by experiencing burnouts for prolonged periods of time and not knowing what to do about it. I think the beauty in taking life’s s stresses and channeling that into creativity is kind of like a super power of transmutation… like the saying “when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade”.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I think that NFTs are pretty cool & fun. I think they are a fun way or mode of a type of exchange. But i don’t t think it should be treated with same regard and respect as an actual painting. NFTs do not have the same energy, essence, & authenticity as an actual painting would.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://verleenkillz.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verleenkillz
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Verleenkillz?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYnoxhCzD-X02ATFNnvNjFhXv0mIX04JMd1zvBbhdobD-cCL-GZ8eV_tcQ_aem_zodiKNAGmFg59za8Dqxcrw
