Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Shenberg.
Kennedy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am self-taught artist. I hold multiple Masters Degrees in Counseling and Social Work; however, my passion is for art. I do mixed media, using wire, wood, markers, paint, as well as carving bones (ethically sourced). My art is my way of divesting the pain and trauma of my clients I have collected during sessions with them. I often will spend sessions with clients using art to help them share their stories of pain. Their strength inspires me to create, to clear, and to release the stories into the universe. So, of my own art expresses my own pains and hopes. When I am engaged in the creation process everything else ceases to exist.
I am very lucky in that not only do I get the enjoyment of creating art, I also get to experience the influence of many other artists because I produce a number of art shows each year here in Chicago. one of the biggest I co-produce is called Bones and Cones, a Dark Art Ice-cream Social each October. Bones and Cones hosts 20+ artists every year to share and sell their art. My participation in Bones and Cone and other shows always inspires me to improve and push my artistic skills. For me art is not only sharing of my ideas, it also teaches me how to do things, it reminds me of what I feel, and what I have seen,
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
As a mixed media artist I like to explore the materials I use. I often am working on several projects at once, so that I can give myself time to think about how the piece will develop. When I carve bone, I try to have the images follow the flow of the bone. I chose to use tribal ideas, such as Viking and Celtic and other pagan symbols inspire my bone carvings.
When I use wire and wood, I like to use my hands. I bend and twist the wire with my fingers, feeling the curves and using the heat of my hands to bend the wire into the shapes. I use wood burning and water colors to agreement the grain of the wood I use as a base. Often the wood stain and water colors will bring out the hidden images in the wood.
I love nature, and its natural conflict, often inspires me to incorporate both life and death themes into my pieces as well as blooming and growth. I hope when somebody sees my art, they think about where they came from, what contributed to make them who they are, and where they will eventually grow to become and how they will end.
My art is about acceptance and understanding that change can be slow and gentle or sudden and jarring.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Being a full-time artist is extremely difficult. Explore as many venues for show space. Never rule out a location, give every venue at least two tries. be open to criticism and accept rejection not as a personal slight, but as a lesson as to what others like. Art is subjective and personal, understand that for each who likes there is one who dislikes and vice versa. Remember other artists are not your competition, they are your inspiration to expand your skills. Share your fellow artists’ work as they will share yours.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I try to participate in at least 6 public art shows each year. I also have my own private gallery space on the Northside of Chicago. My space is filled with both my art and art pieces I’ve collected over the years. Every year in October, my art is on display at the Bones and Cones Dark Art Ice-cream Social. I have both Instagram Kennedy_Shenberg and a Facebook page: Art of Kennedy Shenberg. Liking my page and following my Instagram and sharing my art pictures helps greatly. Of course, purchasing a piece is even better. All my art pieces of unique one of a kind. I am open to installment payments, I also do commissions.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5752 N. Campbell
chicagotext or email for viewing times - Phone: 847-302-7806
- Email: coldforge302@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram@Kennedy_Shenberg
- Facebook: Art of Kennedy Shenberg
Image Credit:
Anthony N. Camastro
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
