Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Holbrook.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
All my life I wanted to be an artist … mom and dad were both teachers I think that’s why my art often times has education component sometimes focusing on Social issues that art can be a vehicle to enhance instead of merely aesthetics.
Many childhood friends died from gang violence I had many near-death experiences by the time I was 20 I had a daughter went to art school started my business and have been doing my art for a living since. I started a nonprofit in 2002 that has employed over 6000 youth paid them $1000 apiece to be a part of murals in 23 states and 17 countries.
Please tell us about your art.
My murals are organic in that the original sketch can evolve based on environment, surroundings, feedback and in a collaborative capacity often painted FOR but also with community members, youth, various disabled population’s, (mental and physical), corporations(team building), senior citizens, after-school organizations, summer camps and many more.
I like my murals to be complex and complicated like life; with several perspectives within a certain theme, several points of view, visually.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Defining success: amount of people your work reaches, impact that is made, (I’ve seen art change perceptions and reality for communities in many ways), positive impacts on young people is a tremendous feeling of success, of course financial gain is important..like Warhol called himself a Business Artist” its important especially when it’s your profession, and raising a family, etc. It’s important to invest in businesses that are providing a service or need, recently I became part owner of a chain of cleaners… remember as an artist you have to create your retirement.
It’s important to keep positive energy around you know artists life you have to ….. there’s no coworkers and there’s no 9-5 so every project is different… sometimes you have to find things to do to draw inspiration, I suggest biking going to the ocean …. good energy stuff
I think that’s also the reason why I like to work collaboratively… As an artist you end up in so many different circles; meeting with company owners, police chiefs, Mayors, celebrities, communities… I mean every walk of life you end up connecting with some kind of way because art is that universal language with you go to different countries to travel with it across language barriers everything
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
-Clemente Museum mural 2018
-Russia World Cup mural 2018
-NYC Police Athletic League murals
Contact Info:
- Website: mlkmural.com
- Instagram: @mlkmuralproject
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