Today we’d like to introduce you to Kusay.
Kusay, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in two different worlds. I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved here to Atlanta when I was thirteen. I graduated high school here in the States and went to college. Unfortunately, college wasn’t for me so I took my own route to focus on drawing. When I was a kid I drew characters from Dragon Ball Z – a popular anime series on TV. I also joined every drawing contest in elementary school and often won prizes. My friends always complimented my drawings and it made me feel good. After I quit college I decided to take my drawing seriously and never look back. I have been studying the fundamentals on my own and practicing whenever I can since.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an artist who enjoys drawing a lot. My imagination sparked from growing up in a small city in the Philippines. I used to sneak out of the house after school so my friends and I could hang out in the streets where unexpected things would frequently happen. We always tried to find something to do from gambling to playing basketball, or even just showering in the rain when the rains did come. As a kid, I was unaware of what was going around me. However, looking back at it now the streets of the Philippines were much more than what I thought when I was a kid. They are a place where you see someone’s lifestyle, a place where you see people trying to make a living in the community either for themselves or for their whole family. Those different lifestyles I saw back home or even here in Atlanta have a massive influence on my “surrealistic illustration”, and inspire the stories I tell through my artwork. When I draw something I always think of those great memories and mush it up with other ones. It’s always a fun time. I hope when someone sees my art they feel happiness inside them and are reminded of good times with friends and family. Luckily, there are clients who enjoy looking at my artwork and ask me to do commissions for them. I hope it doesn’t stop from there. Anything is possible.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
If the artist is doing it with passion, no matter how hard life can get, then they’re doing it right! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work has been featured in galleries around the city but right now the best place to support me and follow along is on Instagram @kusayduzit. Stay tuned for more and thanks for the support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/kusay
- Email: khenabes@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kusayduzit
Image Credit:
Andrew Ferrarone
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