Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Lewis.
Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Originally from Youngstown, OH but was raised in Hampton, Newport News area of Virginia. Basically went from Graffiti on walls and clothes to fine painting in college. My wife was in the military and served twenty years where my family and I were able to live over seas and experience other cultures. Where I had always worked a traditional 9 to 5 and kept my art career at a hobbyist level. While I was stationed in the DMV area I was fortunate enough to do some live paintings around Washington DC which eventually led to one of my pieces being placed in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. When she retired we settled in Middle GA, where I decided that I would pursue my art career full time. I’ve participated in several art shows, live paintings and murals up and down the east coast. With middle GA being my home base I’ve decided to focus on art installations in and around Macon. Lately I’ve partnered with several different organizations in where I am lending my talents to community projects in the hopes of uplifting and hopefully inspiring the community in which the project resides.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall NO, it has its peaks and valleys as with anything worth obtaining. Yet the reception I’ve received from the city of Macon has been fantastic and humbling at the same time. I hope to continue this trend to other cities like Savannah and of course Atlanta. Another challenge is the business side of things, as I’d love to have a manager to handle a lot of the paperwork side of things because I just want to create all day so its hard to turn that off and focus on taxes invoices and grant applications. Still I wouldn’t go back and this is what I asked for so I will see it begrudgingly see it through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a visual artist, that specializes in illustrations, live paintings and Murals. Lately I am known more for my murals around Middle Georgia. I’d definitely say that I am too proud of one of my live paintings being inducted into the Smithsonian NMAAHC accompanying the JDILLA exhibit. I think that the speed in which I complete live painting and Murals a lot of people can’t believe the level of polish that is accomplished in the window of time allotted.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Well I think my industry has already shifted, from artist strictly wanting to be in galleries and depending on “gatekeepers” for acceptance into the field. Where as with the social media the artist are finding ways to make a living a lot easier than before. When I graduated from VCU the model was to go to New York, or Los Angeles and try to make it in the field. I was on that path but fortunately for me my car broke down in Kansas and met my wife soon after. So I’ve been all over Europe and Asia and have experienced so many things that I might not necessarily would have if I went that path. I am good with it but I have been creating art since I’ve been a kid and there’s no reason to stop now.
Contact Info:
- Email: scenelewisart@gmail.com
- Instagram: scene_ism7art
- Facebook: SceneArt – The Art of Kevin Scene Lewis
- Twitter: KevinSceneLewis
