We recently connected with Kendall Robinson and have shared our conversation below.
Kendall, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I fully attribute my self esteem and confidence to my education I received from Howard University. At Howard, I was put in a pool of people who were just as if not more successful, motivated, and confident as myself. The skills that you learn at HBCUs and specifically Howard are intangible and ingrained to the point where you can’t help but be influenced and inspired. I saw my classmates show up and be seen and that in turn inspired me to do the same. In addition, at Howard there was an incredible emphasis on how much I mattered and the gifts that I have to bring to the world. Due to this, I walk into rooms knowing I deserve to be there and knowing that I have the work and knowledge to back it up. Because of this innate confidence and a mandatory humility I am able to charm crowds while simultaneously being open to learn.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At Howard University I received a BFA in art with a painting concentration. For a long time painting was my identity in the sense that instead of calling myself an artist I would say “I am a painter”. That being said I now write to you from my bedroom in a small beach side town of Santander, Spain. My official profession here is an english teacher, however my true title is artist. An artist of multiple mediums. Since moving I have been able to tap into different mediums that have always intrigued me such as photography and videography. I feel like it is easy to write off your interests as hobbies rather than tangible skills. I have reached the point in my life now where I accept the all encompassing word of Artist and its various meanings. I have become a student of life, hiking through the ancient city of Petra, rock climbing in the Wadi Rum Desert, Bartering in the souks of Marrakech, and Sandboarding in the Sahara. Within the 5 months that I have been able to live in Spain, I’ve been able to have the most astounding and life changing adventures. Due to these experiences I have been able to hone in on my true artistic goal of story telling. This period of travel within my life now is to further influence and inspire my art that is to come. And weirdly, I feel as though even though I have not picked up a paintbrush in months I have grown artistically in ways that I could have never imagined than if i decided to stick with one medium. That being said all of my paintings have always had a story telling element, and now with new mediums entering the mix I feel like I am able to meet and elevate the stories of the people living in the most remote corners of the world and shed light and allow people to experience just a morsel of the beauty I have been able to see with my own eyes! I think this is my true artistic mission and I look forward to being in front of a canvas again!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. The first skill, and arguably the most important is the confidence to bet on yourself and follow your dreams ESPECIALLY if it is the road less traveled. Being almost two years post grad, I see my fellow peers going onto their own paths and mine looks completely different. Instead of seeing that as something to envy, I see it as a blessing. You must live your life and take charge of your circumstances because you owe it to yourself to see your dreams through even if there is no one to join you.
2. My second piece of advice would be to throw away all envy you might have of others and fall in love with your own life. It is your duty to romanticize every day you have on this earth and count your blessings more than once. Being able to name 5 things you are grateful for every morning does wonders not only for your mental health but also your peace of mind. Comparison is the thief of joy and envy is the biggest waste of time. Everyone is on their own path and running their own race. When you are running your own race you can never be too early or too late, you will always be right on time.
3. Do things that scare you and be okay with doing those things alone. We live in a world where many people are dependent on others to have a good time and enjoy themselves. We need community however, there will be times where you are the only one in your community that wants to experience something or do something. Learn to be your own best friend, so that you can thrive while being alone and appreciating your solitude. Go on the solo date, trip, dinner, etc. Once you realize you are your own best friend everything in the world will seem possible and you will feel capable.
Additionally, do things that scare you. There is so much waiting on the other side of fear and the only way you will grow is to leave that comfort zone. Once you continue to break that glass ceiling and not only surviving but thriving in the situations you thought would scare you, you only elevate as a person.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I use to think that my number one obstacle was figuring out exactly what I wanted my art to say and what my purpose was as an artist. This question though adds so much unnecessary pressure and honestly contributes to creative drought. My new question that I am asking is what do I want to delve into and pursue deeply at this moment. I find that this answer helps guide the artistic work I am currently working with. This answer has me focused on photography and filmmaking currently, and I would have missed out on completely different and unique areas of expression if I had limited myself to painting. So the answer to how I am trying to resolve this obstacle is to open myself up to life and its experiences and make art from that. I dont have to have all of the answers, I just have to pledge to be present and open and the answers will reveal themselves as I continue to experience and live and I cannot wait to see what the end product will be. The unknown is a beautiful thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fineartbykendallrobinson.com/
- Instagram: kendallrobin.son and fineartbykendallrobinson
- Other: tiktok: fineartbykendallrobinson
Image Credits
all photos taken by myself
