Featured Artist: Kelly McKernan

Kelly McKernan is an artist and illustrator based in Atlanta, Georgia who has always possessed the ambition to be a full time creator. While her formal training was in traditional painting, her focus has been in mixed media, specifically in combining film photography and advanced darkroom techniques with aqueous media painting. Kelly’s work is defined by internal struggle in its many forms through personal growth.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be an artist? What sparked your interest?
A: I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist, and there’s never been anything else. I’m so very fortunate to be one of those few people that is actually what they wanted to be when they grew up. I couldn’t say what sparked my interest, really, but I think I had all the right components to be a budding artist… mainly that I kept to myself and was fascinated with what my imagination came up with and translating those things onto paper.

Q: Where would you most like to see a piece of your art: a book/magazine, a museum, an album cover, or hanging a cafe? And why?
A: I think I’d have to choose album cover. I love the idea of my artwork being in the hands of people who love music, and if I had my choice of the band or musician, even better.

Q: Do you have a favorite art museum? What do you like about it?
A: Hm. I don’t know that I have a favorite museum. I’ve been to a lot of the more famous ones between NYC, Paris, London and all over Italy, but none have I had enough time to really soak up what they have to offer, so it all blends together.

Q: Is there any advice you would offer to someone else starting out in your field?
A: I’d say that one of the most important things to keep in mind is to be practical and realistic, and also to look at it as a business and never a hobby. Learn how to market your work, represent it accurately, network with galleries, curators, collectors, and other artists, keep your portfolio fresh and updated, and build a fanbase with social networking that will help to motivate and encourage you along the way.

Q: What do you like to listen to while you are drawing/painting?
A: Anything and everything! Recently I’ve been listening to Sean Lennon, Cat Power, Bat For Lashes, and Vincent Gallo.