Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Max Kagno. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Max, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
Being able to persist in spite of people and circumstances was really my catalyst to taking my work more seriously.
My high art teach told me my concept for my portfolio review was a terrible idea and I wouldn’t pass because of it…so I not only did it I got a near perfect score to rub it in her face. It was because of that, that I realized I will push myself even further just to prove to people that I can overcome what they think I can’t do. Turning my stubbornness into drive.
I had a college sculpture professor who knew I would do even more if he just pushed my buttons the right way. For one project, he thought my build was too simple even though he enjoyed the concept, so he said I couldn’t do it unless I wrote a 10 page paper to go with it. He teased me saying I wouldn’t bother because it wouldn’t be worth it. I showed up to the critique with a 12 page paper.
Taking people head on when challenged makes me want to do more to prove to them I can be more.
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?
My name is Max Kagno, I am a 30 year old artist from South Florida. My main body of work is traditional woodblock relief print, but I also professionally work as a graphic designer.
Printmaking has been a part of my life longer than I really knew. My mom, when she was in her early 20s worked as a screen printer for a number of years in Massachusetts. Then in high school, I would also be given the opportunity to learn screen printing as well. I wasn’t really sure what I was doing, but I did enjoy being able to making my own shirts and playing with chemicals that I should not of been allowed to touch. It wouldn’t be till my 3rd year of college at FAU where I would jump back into printmaking as a whole. After dropping the graphic design program and being told it would take me a whole extra year for a degree in photography because of a single class, I made the rash move to get a degree in printmaking within my remaining time. My professor and mentor, Joseph Velasquez, truly opened my eyes to not only printmaking, but how I approach art.
Printmaking allows me to not only make the art I want to make, but to make it more easily accessible for everyone. There is no reason why art should be gatekept to just the elites and those with the supposed privilege. Making art for people of all walks of life, regardless of where they come from is something that I want to do. Printmaking is also incredibly accessible for anyone to get into. You do not need the the most expensive tools, the highest grade oil inks, or even furniture grade wood. You can get a set of tools, right now, on Amazon for $25, a small block of MDF wood at Home Depot, and a cheap tube of printing ink. It is a art form for everyone and anyone who wants to be a part of it. It feels like a family and when you meet other printmakers they make you feel like that.
I am always looking for new events to vend or even do demos for. I have been going to SPF run by Miami Papr (previously known as IS Projects) for many years now. It is my favorite time of the year to meet printmakers from all over and see all kinds of new work. It is also the only time I can print my large scale work which we print using a street steamroller live for everyone to watch. It is a fun spectacle and I love being able to explain the process with people who come to watch. I would love to be invited or informed for more events I can be a part of.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Knowing when to stop is a big one. I mean this in multiple varieties. Knowing when to stop when you have been working on a piece of art for far too long. Your eyes have started crossing, your back is more akin to a shrimp, and you fingers are locked in place. Some would call that “the grind,” but there is no reason to ruin yourself. Same with knowing you’re in a bad situation or mental state. Do not let yourself run yourself into the ground. You come first, the art will follow.
Looking for inspiration outside of the scope you are working in personally helps me. It seems odd, but looking for inspiration in things that have absolutely nothing to do with what you are working on helps. Breaking from that might give you some perspectives or ideas that you could not see inside the space you would normally be working in. It can be as simple as finding a color you might want to work in to using an entire building as inspiration even though a massive structure had nothing to do with the original prompt.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to just make it. Make all the dumb ideas you have, no matter how bad they are. Who cares if it is bad? Not everything you need to make needs to be a masterpiece. You have a limited time you will be able to make art, so why not just make as much as you can? You don’t need to be afraid of bad work. It is all a collective of you working towards what you really want to make. So just make it all.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
My biggest challenge right now is reminding myself that I am an artist.
My current job, which I was initially hired as a graphic design, has pulled all design work from me. I have not designed anything for my job in over a year. This has led to a lot of self-doubt and feeling of “I guess my work wasn’t good enough, but they still need me for file management.” So, for the past year all I have been doing is formatting files for the others who do get to design while I felt myself get smaller and less wanted.
Recently, I have been trying to take it upon myself to get back into making more. I am slowly working on some new woodblock carvings and working with some friends on character concepts for 3D models. Little things for me to work on, but not stress about to get back into a rhythm of making again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coffinvarnishprints.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/out_of_inks/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkagnoart/
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