Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Campbell.
Hi Kerry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My feminist punk art started as an expression of rebellion and fierce sovereignty. As a female artist, where males have dominated for centuries and used women both as muses and as objects for the male gaze, I had some things to say! First, I wanted to claim my personhood as an artist and create something truly unique, inspiring, and expressive. But, I needed a model! I had a vision in my head of women in lingerie striking power poses, thus reclaiming her power from the male gaze and owning it. That model became me, through a series of photoshoots – for lack of having anyone else! Talk about going outside your comfort zone. I then use these images as source materials and I assemble a story and a word around the objects I am holding in my hand.
Each painting has a totem word, a concept, a reframing, or a reclaiming. For example, one painting with a woman with pink hair holding a skateboard says “Bitchin” – a slang word in the skater scene which means “cool, awesome.” It’s also a subversion of the word “bitch” which is used to demean and degrade women. The whole series is subversive as hell and that’s the point.
Being an artist is fundamentally about baring your soul, your thoughts, and your creative expression to the world. It’s very vulnerable, but an artist is also compelled to speak. It’s a roaring inside that needs to escape and be brought into the world. It’s a sacred act of spinning something into existence that wasn’t there before. My feminist punk series, also harkens back to my days of being a punk girl – still am! I wear knee high doc marten boots in many of these images – a woman in a man’s world is in a combat zone after all.
But also, I wanted to celebrate women – their power, their strength, their beauty, and yes their sexuality. It’s all part of their allure, their magic, and their sacredness. Thus, this body of work was born.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle I had was putting myself out there, donning these outfits, getting in front of a camera and doing a lot of things I hadn’t done before and felt extremely exposing. But, that was also part of the art and part of the work. To be more bold, to claim more space, to have a vision and carry it through.
Another challenge with this series was that I wasn’t used to painting people, who people. Most of my previous work had been faces or abstract, so this was a whole new area of artistic talent I had to explore and figure out what was my style and signature look. I’m proud of how it all came together. And, that’s the biggest challenge of all – not knowing where any of this is going or if it will go, will fail, will it speak to others, and will you be proud of your work. I’m proud of these ladies bolding claiming their space, their words, and their power in the world! We need much more of that instead of women remaining small, bound by archaic social norms, or too hesitant to embody their innate sovereignty.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My feminist punk work has a unique style and message. It’s about empowerment, embracing your beauty and power, and being fully who you are. It’s not “pretty” art – it carries power, intensity, and a message.
These works comes in all shapes in sizes, but many are large scale works – all done on canvas with rich oil paints. I created my own “font” style for the letters in the words and I cut out stencils for them recycling paper bags. I also re-use my yogurt cups as bowls for mixing my paints!
I work out of my studio space I built off my home in Encinitas, which is located off Avocado Street near Grandview Beach in Leucadia. If you are ever in the area, you will see “Art House” in black bold letters with white background emblazoned on the gate. This was about claiming my whole house as a place of art. My artworks fill the walls, the space is quirky, and vibrant. Being an artist is not only about creating art, but it’s about creating a life grounded in creative expression. I often write poems to go with my artworks as well and I am a published author and creative coach.
But anyone can generate a creatively expressive life by putting original art on their walls, expressing themselves in various creative ways by taking an art class, and otherwise just letting themselves fully express who they are in the world!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
As a person with a Masters in Creative Writing, I read a lot of books! Books have helped me immensely in my life as inspiration, as help, and as guidance. I have even written books. Recently, I published a book called “The Permission Project” which is about giving yourself permission for the things you don’t.
It’s amazing how much we deny ourselves and it’s also amazing how much we yearn to express, empower, and create in the world that we keep hidden and locked away because we don’t give ourselves permission to do it. I had to push through a lot to bring my feminist punk series to being and the first thing I had to do was give myself permission to do it!
You can find “The Permission Project: Grant Yourself the Life You Want” on Amazon 🙂
Other great books that I love are: The Power of Now, You Can Heal Yourself, and The Artist’s Way
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerryscampbell
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrycam
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Permission-Project-Grant-Yourself-Life-ebook/dp/B0F6L3D39M/
