Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalena Shoman.
Hi Kalena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been drawn to the arts. Some of my earliest memories are of staying up late painting in my bedroom and filling notebooks with poetry, lyrics, and sketches. Creating has always been how I process the world.
At 17, I landed my first creative job at a production studio. When that opportunity unexpectedly came to an end, I moved to Tucson, Arizona, where I taught myself Photoshop while working on community initiatives for then-Mayor John Jacobs. That experience sparked my passion for branding, marketing, and visual storytelling.
By 19, I was working as the Marketing Manager for RBar Energy, where I discovered my strength wasn’t just creating artwork—it was helping bring ideas to life through design.
Eventually, I returned to Kansas City to be closer to my family. After caring for my grandfather during the final chapter of his life and losing my job shortly afterward, what felt like a setback became the turning point in my career. Just one week later, I signed my first long-term graphic design client, The Venice West in California, and that opportunity gave me the confidence to pursue art full time.
Since then, my work has grown far beyond graphic design into murals, branding, festival installations, album artwork, and public art. Today, my work can be found inside homes, on album covers, at festivals, and, thanks to Vine Street Brewing Company, on the walls of a Kansas City business.
Looking back, every unexpected detour led me exactly where I needed to be. I’m grateful for every opportunity, every lesson, and every person who’s trusted me with their vision, and I’m excited to continue creating work that brings people together and tells meaningful stories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped both who I am and the way I approach my work.
One of the biggest lessons has been learning the business side of being an artist. I entered the workforce at a young age, but no one teaches you how to price your work, market yourself, or run a business. Those lessons came through experience, plenty of mistakes, and a willingness to keep learning. I’m also naturally pretty shy, so learning to confidently share my work has been a journey in itself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Most people probably know me for my graphic design work, but I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist.
One of the projects I’m most proud of happened this year when I had the opportunity to work alongside Vision Savage Media on promotional content for Born & Raised Festival. I created six different physical art pieces using materials like canvas, carved wood, fabric, and rope, each designed to capture the festival’s rugged country spirit. It challenged me creatively and reminded me how much I love making art that people can experience beyond a screen.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the people behind the project. Before I start designing, I want to know who you are, what you’re trying to say, and who you’re trying to reach. Every project has its own story, and I believe the strongest work comes from understanding that story first.
More than anything, I hope people remember what we created together—not what I created alone. I’ve never been driven by recognition as much as I’ve been driven by helping someone bring their vision to life. If a piece of my work gives someone confidence in their business, excitement about their event, or simply makes them smile, then I feel like I’ve done my job.
What does success mean to you?
Success always comes back to two things for me.
First, success means taking great care of the people who trust me with their vision. Did I deliver high-quality work? Did I communicate well throughout the process? Did I meet their expectations—or exceed them? If a client walks away feeling excited about what we’ve created together and wants to work with me again in the future, I consider that a success.
Second, success is about making a positive impact through my work. Sometimes that means helping a business grow, sometimes it’s creating something that brings a community together, and sometimes it’s simply making someone’s day a little brighter. I love creating work that people connect with, and knowing that something I made had a positive effect on another person’s life is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist.
Pricing:
- Murals: Starting at $25/sq. ft.
- Logo & Brand Identity Design: Starting at $500
- Album Artwork: Starting at $300
- Product Photography: Starting at $250
- Larger branding packages, festival artwork and installation projects are quoted individually based on scope and timeline.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duckstu_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593415582147
- Other: hello@duckstu.com
