Today we’d like to introduce you to Keenan Chapman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been an Artist for the majority of my life. I originally started with the #2 Pencil. Comic book characters and portraits were my primary passion. I would draw family members, classmates and church family because I was always in a state of creativity. After high school, I wandered a bit trying to find my creative outlet and I ended up landing a Job assisting Billy Preston and as a Creative Resource with his music production up until he passed away. I began Tattooing at 22 and this would expand my knowledge of color because I was a fan of Black and Grey mediums. Clients requesting color inspired me to learn more about Paint, Symbolism and the many ways I could manipulate expression. I experienced a Heart Ache that required an Outlet and I chose painting as the therapy. I painted a Picture of Dizzy Gillespie that would later be purchased by Nipsey Hussle. I also did a few of his Tattoos which created many relationships in the music industry that helped circulate my work.
This was the first time I understood that “my gifts would make room for me.” I had so much energy in the wrong areas of my life… forgetting to nurture the gift that had been present with me for a lifetime.
Since then, I’ve gained so much Love for the Arts and remind people daily that we are all creative in some form. We just have to be vulnerable to the learning process and freedoms of expression.
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?
There were many days I went without food, months I was late on rent or times in general that I would question, am I truly capable of making a life out of my craft? Will I be able to provide for a Family and keep a Woman Happy all while going through this “Starving phase” as an Artist?
I’ve lost relationships friends and because of a lack of understanding of what goes into this work. It takes genuine care and admiration for the work we do to ensure a proper support system. Art is not just about beautiful colors, symmetry, etc… it is a purge for some Artists and that process is very personal and tedious yet we are expected to allow people into such a sacred space. The time, the craftsmanship and skill are rarely appreciated and can result in an Artists losing their Passion.
That scares me because Art belongs with me like Blood in my Veins. I cannot think throughout the day without seeing shapes, colors and concepts to express.
People will try you on so many levels, your vision will be distorted, some will love and some will dislike your Art. How you respond to it determines smoothness of that road traveled.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Aside from being an independent artist, I paint on Set in preparation for Film and Television productions. I paint,/plaster, age props and do murals as well. My work is also featured in the backgrounds of scenes and I’m currently improving my sculpting for Special Fx Makeup.
Got some more stuff I’m working on but we’ll save that for a Grand Update.
What are your plans for the future?
I will always have my hand in the Arts but right now, it’s just about expanding into various mediums of expression, including film. So I’m a sponge daily improving my writing, my understanding of production and becoming more of a resource for the film and television industry.
Contact Info:
- Email: Theekeenanchapman@gmail.com
- Website: KeenanChapman.com
- Instagram: ArtistKeenanChapman
- Facebook: ArtistKeenanChapman
- Twitter: Artist Keenan Chapman
Image Credits:
Pic of myself with the Vibe Higher Hoodie…. That’s my brand shot by Ky Dorsey
