Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle S. Poe.
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?
There were a lot of things that happened so I will try to tell the concise story. Growing up, I was different but also very much aware of how. Aside from being able to learn quickly, I was a visual learner with a very keen attention to detail. With that, I was fully aware of our socio-economic status, which always triggered me want to escape my reality.
I loved music; specifically trap music because it helped me to escape this reality in a lot of ways. Sure, I went through a phase of wanting to be a rapper and writing lyrics to beats that I liked but it was short-lived. One day, I remember being angry about my parents arguing and couldn’t write or hear the music because of my thoughts so I locked myself in my room – for hours. I remember I scribbled shapes on different pieces of paper simply because it felt good. Then I started to see faces and wanted to develop them a bit more. I made this a routine; going into my room, turning on the radio and drawing whatever I could imagine; then anime, animals, free thoughts. It wasn’t until high school that I received a formal education around art. It was okay but I was a teenager and rebellious and high school drama was real. While the day-to-day was inspiring for my art, I grew distracted by sports and dreams of going to college to play football. Unfortunately, I accidentally left my portfolio of drawings in a cabinet in the art room, which contained about 50 or 60 drawings, came back two weeks later for football training and they were gone. I pretty much stopped drawing at 16 and picked up cutting hair and taught myself that skill as well.
I don’t believe my “genius” disappeared but evolved as I gained access to college-level resources. As a psychology major, it was ordinary to visualize data and make it appealing to various audiences. I regularly made and critiqued graphics and party flyers but never got back to drawing. Fast forward to 2020 during the pandemic, I moved back in with my parents for three months in Augusta, GA. One night I got out of a meeting was frustrated with my parents, so I went to a friend’s house. His sisters persuaded me to join them in painting butterflies. I remember feeling the same sensation I felt when I was 10 but I felt a bit more focused this time. I took it home and before the summer was over, I had begun exploring acrylic painting and tapped into drawing again. A year later, I decided to monetize my skill and formed Evil Genius Designs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as creating, yes and no. I purchased an iPad and can literally do anything I want if I don’t feel like painting. However, with painting, in particular abstract painting, you need a lot of space and a lot of tools which can be challenging some days. I also did not have a car shortly after moving to Atlanta – which I was partially grateful for because I was able to focus on creating and save money but as far as business services, I was sedentary.
Being the CEO, owner, sole employee, artist, illustrator, administrative team, photographer, and videographer is extremely challenging. There’s also no roadmap for any of this but so many consequences if you are not knowledgeable of how to run a business. I have learned a lot through mistakes. For example, pricing. I sold a lot of pieces and did services at little to no cost. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I should have made parties to sign contracts; there’s nothing more disheartening then taking the time to work on a project, go back a forth, send a plethora of options only for a client to be indecisive and never pay you. It hurts when it’s people you know but that’s why I am serious about pricing now; I learned. One may argue that as an artist this is the norm but once you start piling on expenses, some things got to give.
A lot of family and friends didn’t initially understand support and what it really looked like and wanted things for free. I had to be deliberative and put my foot down; which was awkward initially but I don’t regret it because if I didn’t, I was going to continue having the same issue. To anyone reading this interested in art or any crafty service, know this: your art, time, and expertise hold value and people need to understand this. Society/technology has somewhat duped individuals into thinking that art doesn’t hold worth but think about it, it literally proves that a person, a community, and their experiences existed. Another challenge I learned from was that it is also okay to say “no” to some requests. I will take some commission requests but going into 2023 my goal is to be accepted into an exhibit so I may not have commissions open long if at all. I personally feel commissions take away from an artist’s natural creativity; everything in moderation. It can be complicated at times because on the one hand, you want to do what feels good while on the other hand, you want to make money because you have goals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create abstract and portrait-styled visual art using both acrylic and oil paint. I have also begun illustrating designs using both Procreate and Photoshop. A style that I have been revisiting is Dutch Pours which are really cool for office and home decor; simple to do as well. Lastly, I host and facilitate paint parties! These can be really fun and I am looking to do these a lot more in 2023.
As far as being an artist, a phrase that accurately describes me is “Jack of all trades, master of none”. I learned photoshop through procreate – I know that may seem weird but understanding that art happens in layers made all the difference.
I believe my imagination, what triggers or inspires me and my creativity are my specialties; which also make me and what I create unique. My art is hard and I’m dope but I don’t think I am the best which keeps me humble and eager to learn new styles and techniques. I will say however, that my punctuality and ability to focus and create my own space might set me apart from other artists. The ability to get lost is a true talent. Whatever I am feeling or thinking, I can create. When people give me an idea or if I see an image, I automatically see how I can recreate it into a painting or illustration with my style.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Collaborations are in my 2023 plans. I have already mapped out how I will be working with another brand for Black History Month and we are pretty excited about the upcoming project. If individuals want to collaborate, just reach out to me via Instagram, @evilgeniusdesignsllc; I’d for real be honored to connect and share ideas. With that, I would say the best way to support me is to share my work and inquire about it. Ask me about what I was experiencing when creating said piece, what inspired it or why did I choose to name it in the way I did. A lot of what inspires me are real issues of shared experiences and to be able to discuss my inner thoughts along with liking, sharing saving and commenting on posts would be amazing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @evilgeniusdesignsllc
- Website/Online Store: https://evilgeniusdesigns.myshopify.com
Image Credits
@evilgeniusdesignsllc
