Why I vend…

Growing up in Austin, going to the markets and seeing all the different creatives of this town gather to sell their goods, was a favorite thing to do. I reveled in making small talk with each vendor, listening to their stories, and learning about their craft. I didn’t know that becoming an art vendor would be something I’d partake in as an adult, but now doing so, I’m happy to say vending is by far one of my favorite aspects of being an artist. 

Meeting different people, with different backgrounds, but finding a connection through art, is rewarding beyond measure. Money doesn’t motivate me and I am probably one of the worst when it comes to managing price points, assessing the value of artwork, and implementing a market strategy. But when it comes to connecting with people and having conversations with people face to face, I am all for it. Being able to see how my art creates a connection towards others in real time, is remarkable to me considering, I didn’t imagine this as a part of my art journey, but boy do I embrace and find it replenishing as an artist. 

Finding a community, fostering the relationships that make it whole, and establishing a tribe are values I hold dear as being an artist. I guess you could say, I, in large part, create art not only to express how I am experiencing the world around me, but to ultimately connect with others empathetically.  

Walkthrough of market display set up at the Art Walk, in Austin TX. Feb 11th

May 22nd, I had the upmost joy in participating in Austin’s Black Art Matters event. Being that was my first time doing anything like that, I soaked up every experience, high and low, in preparation for this. Made me feel at home in an art scene, along with affirming art is what I want to do.

Big shot out to Austin Creative Reuse (ACR) for having things hella cheap lol. I was able to create my entire backdrop with materials from ACR. There was also many artists there that provided help and support as well. Which makes me think, Art, really can heal y’all. I’m an introvert at heart, so to feel ok in a new space that was made with art in mind, tells me a lot. Art has a transformative power and often times as been at the center of many movements. The Harlem Renaissance comes to mind… it had immense power as black creatives created with the intent to express themselves and the black experience. Being able to contribute to an art collective of any kind is empowering and motivating considering the support and love of art are at the center of it all. Creating art and being an an environment where you can authentically be yourself is the most yearned dream I want to become a reality. I feel like I cannot adequately express how happy I was amongst other artists and art consumers alike, connecting and understanding each other through art.

I’ll tell you what, I know that I don’t shy away from topics that not only are sensitive for black people, but puts the inhumane bullcorn in the forefront of it all. Being said, I was surprised how many people outside of my own race wanting to connect with me as an artist, wanting to understand my art, and even willing to buy it. Again, just reaffirms my idea that art is transformative and can serve as a communicator between people who are different and have experienced lives different from each other. So that being said, I suspect my next few art pieces are going to be a mix of the good and the bad. I am actively working on pulling together my Strange Fruit series, but know that I need to space it out as researching and drawing lynches isn’t an everyday project I could work on without feeling some type of way. So don’t be surprised to see some heavy concepts mixed in with light ones. Until then…

What’s good?

Hey Y’all!

Welcome to the first blog post! This blog will be used to bare my my inner thoughts, art projects, and things to come. If you vibin’ with me, leave a comment and let me know I’m making connections in the universe.

As you may have figured out while navigating my website, I go by Kendra Lee and I am a digital artist, born and raised in Austin, TX. I make it my mission to draw pieces inspired by black female representation. Why? Well, I remember growing up, having art dreams as a little girl, but I also remember not drawing black people as my subject matter. Every person I would draw from my imagination was of fair complexion. Ponder on that for just a bit… a black kid being so conditioned to only see the “status quo” that they couldn’t imagine drawing black people? It took me awhile to come to grips with the idea that my imagination lacked the capacity to even include people that looked like me in my art. When I got to college (TLU), I was fortunate to have a crop of professors who taught me everything I needed to know about how black people have had to navigate in American society. More importantly, they fed my curiosity to understand how black people have been programmed/condition throughout history.

After grad school, I was determined to have my art feature black people, now knowing about the systematic ways we’ve been conditioned to act in this society. I decided to focus on featuring black female experiences when creating art for myself.