Kevin Andrew's journey as an artist is one of self-discovery, bold decisions, and creative conviction. With a background in engineering and entrepreneurship, his path to becoming an artist was not linear, but each chapter played an important role in shaping where he is today.
Driven by a desire to create meaningful work and connect with others, he centers vulnerability and reflection as core parts of his process. Kevin's willingness to embrace uncertainty and lean into growth demonstrates the power of trusting your instincts and following a path that aligns with your purpose.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a professional artist. Was there a single defining moment or a moment of clarity when you knew this was your path?
I’ve wanted to be an artist my whole life, but I started my career pursuing civil engineering. After earning an undergraduate degree and a master’s in structural engineering, I landed my dream job designing skyscrapers in Chicago. However, I quickly realized that path wasn’t for me. I then found myself in IT consulting, but again, felt out of alignment with my goals. I began to question my purpose and my definition of success.
Everything shifted when I showed my work at a local hair salon gallery. I had low expectations, but friends, family, and strangers showed up, and I sold most of my work. That experience left me feeling empowered to keep creating and to help others follow their passions. I ended up leaving my job and starting a coworking space called Advent Coworking. I eventually sold the company to a local competitor, but this was an important step in my journey as I continued to chase my creative goals.
After some soul searching, I decided to try becoming a full-time artist. In her book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron recommends audibly announcing what you’re going to do. She suggests that once you say it aloud, you should be ready for the universe to provide opportunities, and if you don’t act on them, they may never come again.
I took this to heart and committed aloud to the universe: “OK, I’m going to become a full-time artist. What do you have for me?” I honestly didn’t think much of it. Two weeks later, I was able to get a coveted working studio/gallery space from an obscure connection, and so it began!
Today, I’m in a larger, street-level studio with my name on the window. I still wonder what would’ve happened if I had studied art from the start. But looking back, I can see that each step prepared me for this moment. Every twist and pivot shaped me into the artist—and the person—I am today.
Tell us about your work
Every piece I create carries an underlying story, motivation, or therapeutic process. I paint, write, and collaborate as a way to reflect and grow.
Once I complete a painting, write about it, and release it into the world, I feel freer. Sharing that vulnerability with both strangers and loved ones pushes me to grow. I think it’s that authenticity and emotional resonance that draws people in.
I’m often surprised by who connects with my work. Whether it’s about death, motherhood, or simply having a morning coffee, people find themselves in it in ways I could never predict. There’s something powerful about forming a connection through something I created.
Tell us about your process. Do you have any unique techniques or rituals integral to your work?
Creating is an emotional roller coaster, often with no certain outcome. While I sometimes experience doubt, remorse, and fear while I paint, these feelings are an important part of the process. I naturally want to control all aspects of my life, but over time, I have learned to embrace the chaos of creation. I use my art as a way to break from my ego as I force myself to create in ways that frustrate me.
After working through that inner tension and finishing a work, there’s often a moment of unexpected peace. The feeling of creating something and not fully understanding how you did it is addictive. It feels like something greater is trying to come through, and my job is simply to step aside and let it happen.
Sometimes, just before I fall asleep, an image for a painting flashes into my mind, and I know I need to capture it. I don’t always understand where these visions come from, but I welcome them when they arrive.
When you are looking for inspiration, what resources do you turn to? Are there any particular experiences, places, or people that influence your creativity?
My journey began with spray paint as I was drawn to the immediacy and bold, colorful energy of graffiti. I’ve also been deeply influenced by the organic, flowing shapes and defined outlines of the Art Nouveau movement.
Today, I work primarily with acrylics and markers, drawing from different sources of inspiration while focusing on raw expression. Much of my work reflects the energetic brushwork of abstract expressionists like Arthur B. Carles, Franz Kline, Joan Mitchell, Hans Hofmann, and Jane Piper.
What advice do you have for staying productive and focused as an artist?
If possible, stick to a consistent schedule and create in the same environment. Stephen King writes every morning at 8:30 a.m. for two hours, in the same spot, listening to the same music. That kind of routine helps you enter the creative process more smoothly. Also, the right time to create will rarely appear, so don’t wait for it. If you set aside one weekend to create, the pressure to produce something great can sabotage the process. Creating a little bit each day leads to more consistent, higher-quality work over time.
Do you consider yourself, and all artists, to be entrepreneurs? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Being an artist is like running the smallest of small businesses. While creating is a large part of the business, we also must sell our work, market ourselves, and build an audience. It’s a constant hustle, and there’s no buffer between you and the buyer. They’re purchasing a piece of who you are.
While it can be easier to pivot when you’re selling a product or an app, when artists change their work just to please others, it can lead to a watered-down version of who they are. There’s always a tension between staying true to your creative spirit and meeting the demands of the business.
Do you have advice for overcoming setbacks and staying resilient in the face of challenges?
Running a business, creating art, and going against the grain can feel like a never-ending uphill battle. I’ve learned to recognize and appreciate the good days, because it's easy to focus on what’s not working. Failure is not a bad sign but rather part of the process if you’re pushing yourself to grow. When I used to race cyclocross, a friend would tell me, “You brake, you lose.” Staying comfortable might feel safe, but it often leads to stagnation.
In reality, this drive to succeed and evolve is exhausting. I strongly recommend prioritizing self-care. I meditate, stretch, do red light therapy, sauna, and cryotherapy once a week. I see a therapist monthly and read self-help books regularly. I haven’t figured it all out, but I’ve come to accept that daily setbacks are just part of the climb. You acknowledge them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
What advice do you have for artists who are beginning to build their careers?
Start with the basics. Get a website, make business cards, build a contact list, and send out a newsletter at least once a month to stay on people’s radar.
Create in a consistent environment. Even if everything you make isn’t your best work, showing up regularly makes progress.
Set clear goals. Whether it’s gallery representation, improving your print process, or finding a new studio space, when those goals are on your mind, you’ll start to recognize potential openings in everyday conversations or interactions. I approach each exchange with sincerity, but there’s often a quiet strategy behind it, too. I’m always looking for ways to get my work out into the world.
How does being an artist affect your perception of the world?
I don’t know if it’s because I’m an artist, a parent, or just getting older, but I pause more often to appreciate the beauty around me. I notice the sunrise and sunset every day. I constantly point out nature, animals, or the sky to my kids. The way airplane trails cross a vibrant sky can spark an idea for a painting. A single bouquet can inspire hundreds of pieces.
I also find a deeper connection when I talk with other artists. Since I started painting full-time, I’ve come to value those conversations even more. They often move past the surface and into what really matters, because there’s a shared sense that we’re all navigating this creative path together.
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