Today we’d like to introduce you to MaKenzie Kent.
Hi MaKenzie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Back in high school, I took an art class in lieu of picking up another academic course and I was assigned to paint “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. That project single-handedly kickstarted my love for art however, it wasn’t until college when a colleague of mine gave me the opportunity to apply my skills virtually. The only prior experience I had was when I made the posters for my volleyball team. Car washes, bake sales, fundraisers, if it needed a graphic: “MaKenzie had it.” So taking my small-town work and initiating the new venture of taking over a college campus took me by complete surprise. As time progressed, I learned so many new techniques that amp’d, not only my work, but my value so in 2020 I took my talent to Southern California and founded Ken City Customs and then shortly after returning to Atlanta, renamed my business Homebody Media.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
If I said all of this came easy, I would be lying. There were many sleepless nights, long days just staring at a blank screen, and I’m going to plead the 5th on how many times I cried. My largest mountain to overcome was maintaining the confidence to continue creating despite no one wanting to see it. In my first year alone, I created over 300 pieces of content… only 9 of those ever saw the light of day. I vividly remember screaming like I won the lottery when I had my first full commission because I remembered the days where I was leaving my business cards on coffee tables in Downtown LA. No one ever speaks about the roads leading to the days you’ve prayed for but let me be the first to say you better have some sturdy shoes if you’re gonna chase after your dreams.
What matters most to you? Why?
Other than God and my momma, it’s cartoons. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. You see the most outlandish pieces of work in cartoons because there are no creative boundaries. I aim to watch at least 2 hours of cartoons every day to keep my imagination going. I will gladly sit and watch a Spongebob marathon and pay attention to every second of it as if it’s my first time watching the show. Seeing the endless possibilities of graphics allows me to apply those same endless boundaries to my work and in doing so, I will run out of storage on my phone before I run out of ideas.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do I do? I spend my days creating so I can be your artist’s favorite artist. I specialize in promotional graphic design for fashion, sports, and music. I don’t have a signature style that I’m known for because I’m a firm believer that I can do anything, so once I perfect one technique, I move on to another. I may adopt one day, but there’s too much left to learn to do so now. I’m most proud of my adaptability. There’s certain styles that my clients ask for that I’ve never even heard of, and still being able to deliver time and time again puts me in positions to where I surprise even myself.
The only thing that makes me different is that the same God that paints the sunsets and sprinkles the stars in the skies, is the same God that directs and protects my hands through every design. And as long as I got Him, you will know my name and recognize my work even if I’m not in the room.
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