Check Out Kerry Grant’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Grant. 

Hi Kerry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hello. My name is Kerry Grant. I am a resin artist living and working in Kansas City, MO. 

I have been making and creating my entire life. From a young age, I wanted to pursue the arts but that never seemed to be in the cards for me. After high school, I started working in retail to make money so I could eventually move away from my hometown of Jackson, TN. I quickly found much success working in retail and moved up the ladder. Fast forward 5 years and I was now working in Kansas City as a buyer/designer for that same national retailer. 

I learned so much during my time working in retail, both on the sales floor and in the corporate office. Namely, how to interact with the general public (a challenging yet necessary skill) but I also gained much practical knowledge about consumerism, design, and overall aesthetics. While working as a buyer/designer, I was able to apply this knowledge to help grow this business’ men’s footwear category and expand my understanding of the fashion world, marketing, and social media. 

My day job consumed much of my time. However, I found much respite and escape in painting when I wasn’t working. So, for years I worked 50+ hour work weeks while simultaneously painting and creating in my free time. Much of what I know about art came from trial and error or tutorials found on the internet. 

Gradually, my skills and level of exposure grew; and after 11 years of working with that company, I made the decision to leave and take a stab at creative self-employment. I recently celebrated my first anniversary at the Kerry Grant Gallery. The first year was challenging in expected and unexpected ways. In addition to continuing to work on my craft, I took a business course for artists which has proven to be more than worth it. 

I am committed to my craft and although I haven’t reached my dreams yet, I can see them on the horizon. This brings me joy and inspires me to continue reaching for more. 🙂 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not. 

The road to becoming a working artist hasn’t been easy. While working a 9-5 job, I often struggled with finding the time to practice my talents. When I did have the time, I felt like my efforts were fruitless or in vain. 

I deal with anxiety and imposter syndrome stemming from feelings of inadequacy. As an artist that never went to art school, I oftentimes feel that my work is less or subpar in comparison to other makers and creators. Although I know this is not true, it’s hard to “zoom-out” and see the big picture of how far I’ve come and how positively my art has been received. 

Anxiety never goes away but I’ve learned the to mute my negative thoughts by developing a healthy response to failure and by trusting my abilities and experiences. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work with resin epoxy. Basically, resin is a liquid medium that comes in two parts, A and B. When these parts are combined, they harden into a sturdy and durable plastic-like material. I used this medium to create unique and visually striking wall art. Most of my pieces resemble granite, marble, or quartz. 

As my practice developed, I began to resurface tabletops, counters, and even floors. Resurfacing existing furniture or surfaces with resin is practical and environmentally friendly. It costs thousands less than sourcing natural stone or granite from a quarry. Resin is also customizable. Any color combination is possible. If it can be imagined, it can be created. Cost-effective AND highly customizable sounds like a win, no? 

Currently, I am taking orders for wall art and resin resurfacing. You can find additional information or schedule a consultation at kerrygrantgallery.com 

Contact Info:

• Email: info@kerrygrantgallery.com
• Website: kerrygrantgallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrygrant.gallery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerrygrant.gallery/

Image Credits:
Janika Carney