Posts Tagged ‘Kayo Designs’

Carmine Magazine: What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
Kayo Designs: My drive to create is driven by this inner fire. I get this idea in my head and I can’t sleep until I do it. It’s like an energy I need to get out! It almost becomes obsessive! I am very inspired by natural textures…trees, plants, animal skin, fur, rocks, you name it. I’m a touchy feely person so things aren’t real to me unless I can touch them. I’m also inspired by people, their stories in success and hardships and what they have to share.

CM: Were you formally trained in art or self taught? Do you think it has helped you or hindered you?
KD: I wouldn’t say I was formally trained in art per se. I’ve been working with my hands and creating since I was a child. I took some drawing, crafts and ceramic classes here and there in junior high, high school and college. The most formal training I guess I’ve received is attended 5 months Revere Academy for Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. Attending Revere Academy for training was an amazing experience. Unfortunately, most of the classes there are between 1 – 3 days so you can learn a technique. Classes are really short so it’s up to you to bring yourself and your art to the next level. I wish I could have stayed longer since it was such a great experience. Afterwards, I was fortunate enough to work with one of the most amazing Crafts Persons and Master Jewelers, Vasken Tanielian now of CAD Works. If you ever get to meet him, you are a lucky person.
I think what has hindered me is not majoring in a particular art or attending an Art College. I think if you choose either, they prepare you more in business for art, design, getting your work in to galleries, starting a business, etc. I also think I could have met so many more artists so I would have a stronger network of people to work with and share inspiration with. I think as an artist it is important to be a part of a community because you are constantly giving, receiving, and sharing common interests.
(more…)