Today we’d like to introduce you to Kru Mackenzie.
Kru, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I received that name because of my interests in vintage culture. In short, I enjoy dressing as a modern pinup girl I am very inspired by the eras between the 40s-60s and have recently developed my skills in Pin Up modeling. Although I enjoy modeling my main career focus is tattooing. I have been a self-taught artist (drawing and painting) for as long as I can remember. My grandmother fostered the craft at the very early stages, and I became interested in tattooing shortly after high school. After doing my research, I made the decision to pursue tattooing as one of my main forms of artistic study. I began my studies at a tattoo shop in midtown by the name of City of Ink. It was there that I gained a lot of my first exposure to the industry and what it took to make a career of this craft. From there I traveled around working and learning from various artists. I am currently tattooing at Tri-Cities tattoo in Atlanta Ga and cultivating a retro/vintage community within the city.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create all types of art; however, my main area of study is tattooing, drawing, and painting. When creating ‘art for art’s sake’ I try and stick to 2d mediums. I tend to follow the same process every time. I sketch out in thumbnail from what it is that I’d like to create, determine how I want it to look and what I need to accomplish that and execute. With those creations, I am usually inspired by obscurity in the real world as I see it, color, and things whimsical in nature. The process of tattooing is similar with some subtle differences like working with someone else to create an idea that you both like and that will ‘work’. I tend to be inspired by similar things in my tattoo work as in my artwork; However, I am greatly inspired by other tattooers. Whenever I see a talented artist, it puts fire into me and shows me what all is possible. The main thing that I would like for people to take away is from anything I create is inspiration and possibility.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
Focus and Individuality. I think that a lot of artists tend to get caught up in what is
‘popular’ or what might sell that each person is trying to be like the next person and not focus on trying to develop their own voice. This is also an issue with focus as well. As far as Atlanta artists go, I would say a broader exposure of all different types of artists on a consistent basis. I also feel like putting local artists to work.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
For now, the majority of my work can be found on any of my social media accounts or to be viewed in person some of my pieces are currently on display at Tri-Cities Tattoo Co.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1597 White Way, East Point GA 30344
- Phone: 404 330 8006
- Email: artofkru@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thepetitepinupgirl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krumackenzieart
Image Credit:
Kru Mackenzie
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