Pop colours, process and the ever-present eye

We spoke to Kacey Kal an Illustrator hailing from Michigan about his inspirations, process and that ever-present eye.

When did you start illustrating?

5 years ago my friend gave me photoshop, and mum and dad put me in Art Class. Then I started putting images on Tumblr which gave me exposure, started by illustrating over black and white images. I’m inspired by the artist Kaws – he would take ads and paint over them with his characters.

You’ve also produced some illustrated animations, how did you get into animation?

I started learning animation from Youtube tutorials – but I want to master it. Going forward I want to be my own artist. Creating my own pieces, not having a brief.

Why the ‘eye’?

I really wanted an icon of my own. When I was working on a piece and doodling it just came to me!

How would you describe your creative process?

I take a lot of inspiration from photos I find in magazines and on Tumblr. I keep those in mind when I start creating. In regards to my style; once I started creating it took a while to figure out because I didn’t know what I was doing at first but once it came to me I stuck to it. I want to develop on it and perfect it.

Who or what inspires you?

Matisse – he is one of my inspirations. When I do the ‘naked girls’ he is my inspiration when it comes to the body shape. Also the Japanese Artist Takashi Murakami.

Is anyone else in your family creative?

No. Just me, I’m the only one who took to pursuing my creative nature. I felt like sometimes the support was kinda wavering. They would say it’s not like a real job, but once they saw how dedicated I was and how much people liked my work they warmed to it.

Who would you love to work with?

Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) – he’s one of my biggest inspirations as a human being as well as an artist. He’s like the Jay Z to the black kids who weren’t tough, I can relate to him. He’s and screenwriter and that’s what I inspired to be initially, I’ll go back to it eventually.
 

"He’s like the Jay Z to the black kids who
weren’t tough, I can relate to him"

What’s next?

I’d like to do more gallery exhibition work, I’m focusing on getting my work out there I want my work to see more eyes.

Follow + Connect:

Visit: kaceykalgallery.tumblr.com/
Instagram: @kaceykal
 

Words: Swakara Atwell-Bennett
Artwork: Kacey Kal / My Favourite Thing (My.f.t)