Interview
Virginia Kennedy
Virginia Kennedy is a self-taught artist who has been creating for 25 years. She creates portraits in all mediums, but specializes in oil paint.
Virginia loves to draw and paint the human form, and has started to venture into adding scenery and textures to her paintings. She always strives for growth, and loves the process of creating.
Virginia is currently committed to running her own business with her artwork, and is constantly aiming to improve, adopting the same hard-working and passionate attitude that she has with her art.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have been drawing most of my life, at least since first grade. I used to do graphite drawings, but some years later I started to experiment with color. Now I am doing paintings. I push myself to learn all mediums, so whether it be oil painting, acrylic, watercolor, pan pastel, graphite, charcoal, color pencil or alcohol markers, I'm going to learn it. I have a huge appetite for art and learning different ways of expressing myself on canvas.
I'm a self-taught artist that got out of the mud by myself. It took me forever to get to where I am now with my art and experience. I never had the opportunity to go to an art school and learn from the masters, so I had to work hard and do extensive studying the best way I could, through much trial and error. I came from humble beginnings and I'm just trying to make it in this art world. I want everyone to see my work, and I want to show the world what I can do.”
What inspires you most?
“My kids Aamiyah, Tamiyah, Maximus, and Xavier are my greatest inspiration. My soon-to-be husband, my mom, sister and best friends push me to keep going when I feel like giving up. They always give me insight on my work. It helps my confidence, being a self-taught artist, to be able to have a team of supporters who believe in my dream. It’s very important.”
“I just hope artists can be taken seriously, because I feel some people look at an artist’s career and feel it’s not a real profession. But that’s quite the contrary. We are the epitome of the world's success in moving to a brighter future.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I'm still discovering myself as an artist. I really don't have any themes at the moment, but I’m now starting to add water scenes into my portraits. I have high anxiety, and there's just something about the sound and look of water that calms me. Anybody who knows me knows I need to have my rain sounds.
I would have to say the underlying message in my work is peace, positivity, and expression of self. I say prayers over all my work before I do it, because God is the one who blessed me with this talent, so I thank him first. Then I ask him to guide me while I work, and he does. He's never steered me wrong. I go to him for everything, so I guess the true underlying message is trust God in all things.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is very versatile, but I aim to get it as close to realism as possible. At the moment, my main medium is oil paint, even though I can use all mediums as well. I am currently teaching myself how to do digital portraits, and then move on to learning all mediums of art.
I also do portraits for people who have lost a loved one to help them with their grieving process. My work is therapy for myself and others. I bring my dreams to canvas to show the inner workings of my mind. I have so much I want to do, but sometimes I don't have the motivation because I feel no one will see it. But my team pushes me, so I stay tuned. I want to inspire change and positivity. I would have to describe my work as the work of an ever-evolving soul.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I really don’t have any particular artist that has influenced me. I'm more of an in-my-own-lane type of person. I don’t look to imitate or try to copy someone else’s style. I believe an artist’s style is like their fingerprint—it’s one of a kind.”
What is your creative process like?
"If I’m not doing a commissioned portrait for someone, I typically just look for pictures on Google to paint, but the picture has to be perfect. Sometimes I look around on Pinterest as well. As I’m starting to move away from doing portraits of famous people, I look for references now to create one-of-a-kind portraits.
I have to have my headphones on to paint so I can cut off the outside world. Sometimes I listen to music or water sounds. I also love listening to Bobby Brown while painting because his music gets me hyped up. Before drawing anything, I love to have a grid laid out to give me precision as I sketch. I also have to have my hot apple cider to get my brain juices flowing.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role is to document current events, whether political or spiritual. It even pushes the envelope when it comes to human rights and the environment. Art gives the world a visual voice for trending hot topics, and is important in all aspects of life.
I see the role of an artist evolving in a huge way. We now have NFTs, which I still have not invested in yet, but I plan on doing so later.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Apart from showing my work on various social media platforms, I will be starting my YouTube channel as well very soon, most likely under the handle @vamonnettart.”
Instagram: @vamonnettart
