Kanda Parrott shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Kanda, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What battle are you avoiding?
With social media being as “up/down” as it has been the last few years, I have had a lot more success selling my work in person and making those connections via the pop-up circuits however THIS year has felt especially taxing and busy that I’ve stayed out of the whole pop-up market and although it has decreased my overall sales… not worrying about early weekend schedules, keeping product inventory stocked, driving about the area, or the gains vs. losses has been really peaceful and I am thankful for the recharge.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kanda Parrott and I am a freelance artist. I do an array of things under that title: my own personal artwork, commissions in the form of pet portraiture, product label + apparel + and tattoo design work, as well as book covers, teaching youth art classes, gallery works, and public art works. (Just to name a few!) I really enjoy working with a wide range of mediums but my favorite is ballpoint pen and acrylic paint. A lot of my personal work focuses on the natural world, animals, and how they interact within their environment as well as the importance of the integrity of our natural world and our coexistence within it.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
We are living in a really bizarre time in history where we are fully aware of the injustices happening on a global scale… not only do we know of the underprivileged suffering in our own communities, we have information to the dire situation that is the climate crisis, the wars and genocide happening in other parts of the world, all of these things that we KNOW and yet feel just as powerless to solve. Because of these hard truths that weigh on ALL of us, I think we’ve all collectively started working on forming strong community bonds again. It’s highlighted, to me, the importance of human connection and that all our different experiences and backgrounds can help teach and guide us into a brighter future.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, definitely. It was very early in my art ‘career’. I was a new mom, an art school drop out, and was waiting tables to pay bills. At that point, it was really difficult to find the time to create art, let alone find the inspiration to make something after working all day long and taking care of a young child. Some people find a way, and those people are absolute legends. I felt I had burnt out before given a real chance to shine. It wasn’t until I was able to leave the ‘workforce’ and be a full time mom that I could really focus on honing my craft. (You know… while taking care of the entire household!) I’ve had young aspiring artists ask “when do you know to go full time with your art?” and my answer is always “You don’t. Sometimes you have to take the leap, sometimes you have to take small steps, and sometimes you will always have a “day job”. That will never negate your being an artist.”
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I’m so thankful to have a partner that is absolutely, unwaveringly supportive and has been from the very beginning. His eye for design is much different than mine and his precision to all things detail have been invaluable to shape my art brand/small business. Our contrast is what makes us work so well. I appreciate his honesty and ask for his opinions on almost every piece I make. When something isn’t working, he is the one I run to!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I love what I do on a daily basis. I also love the freedom to create my own schedule and take on jobs at my own pace because a structured schedule really stresses me out and, being a stay-at-home mom, makes that impossible at times. That being said: my favorite project to date was actually a crosswalk mural for the City of Muskegon (Michigan). In 2023, I had to create a pretty grueling schedule for myself to get the 8 x 33 foot project done in a 10 day time frame due to the road construction. By the end of the 10 days, I was exhausted but I also felt so fulfilled and empowered as an artist!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ArtbyKanda.net
- Instagram: @kandasaurus_rex
Image Credits
Photo of myself (Kanda Parrott) taken by Dakota Alvarez
