Today we’d like to introduce you to NeKeysha Anderson.
Hi NeKeysha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been drawing since the day I can remember. Having a pencil in my hand has always felt right. I was known for gettin in trouble because I would either doodle on the desks or on some parts of my clothes (I was going to be a fashion designer). Once I got into high school and started taking art seriously in the 10th grade, I decided that I wanted to be a portrait artist. I had a teacher who forced me to be out of my comfort zone. I didn’t know how to draw people before taking her class, so I studied and drew every single day….and one day I was able to draw portraits of people. I eventually went to Albany State University, where I met this amazing woman, Femi Anderson, who would become my boss and mentor. She breathed art and she spoke life into me and my work. She also kept me out of my comfort zone and kept me rooted. Sadly, she passed away in 2020 and since then, I have become determined to be an artist like she was. She helped the city of Albany through her art, everyone knew who she was, and that opened a lot of doors for me. I was definitely blessed to have her in my life, even if it was for a short while. I since then shifted on my subjects of art. I used to draw any and everybody just because, but now my art speaks about the appreciation of black women and being one.
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?
It has not a smooth road, and if it was, would I have grown into becoming the person and artist I am today? There were times where I gave up when I was learning how to draw portraits of people in high school. Back then, I did it for the fun of it, so I only drew fan art of anime or my own characters, because that’s what made me happy. My art teacher saw something in me. She challenged the way I thought and forced me to draw things out of what I strictly wanted to do…like the dreaded still life. I absolutely loved it. At that point, I wanted to learn how to draw people. I have this thought where I can draw something the first time and it will be a masterpiece, but how wrong I was back then. I got frustrated easily, I would stop drawing for a couple of days. I would work on a piece, thinking that I like it and it looks right, but then once I finish, it is completely horrible and now I have to throw it away and redo it over. It was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I’m still learning new things today, for example: digital paintings. I’ve since added Procreate to my list of mediums that I use and it’s been a long ride with it. I still don’t understand some tools, but I’m slowly getting the hang of it!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for my love of drawing people. I think we’re are the greatest masterpieces that have ever been made…and to think I can draw said masterpieces, makes me feel like I have some type of special power. I’ve been using charcoal and graphite since I can remember. I started using acrylic paints back in college, but it still didn’t give me what I was looking for in my paintings, so I added oil paints, so now I use them both when creating a piece. I also started painting digitally back in 2017, because it was something I wanted to master…now I love it as well. What I’m proud of the most about all of this is the support from my family and friends. If it wasn’t for them pushing and believing in me, I don’t think I would have the courage to try to pursue anything in it, it’ll be just another silly dream. I’m so happy that I did’t hear that or got discouraged from it. I think what sets me apart from others is that I put my very soul into everything I make. Every piece is about me in some form, even if I’m not the subject. I live and breathe art. It’s the only way I function.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
So, this favorite childhood memory of mine, isn’t art related. When I was growing up, our Christmas transition had always been to go over my great grandmother’s house for breakfast: fried fish and grits. This particular Christmas, felt like a dream. It was the best Christmas I’ve ever had and it was simply because my entire family was able to make it that one Christmas. I was in middle school at the time, and my siblings and I, got everything we wanted on our list. We were so excited, and I was delighted when it was time for us to get ready and go over to grandma’s. I remember taking one of my Bratz dolls, picking up my auntie and cousin, who also had a Bratz doll, and making our way over. My great grandmother had this huge house with the nice trimmings going towards the ceiling, a brick fire place, and in the back yard, she grew her own fruit and vegetables. She had a banana tree and we would pick from once they were good enough. I loved being over there. Once we pulled up, there were so many cars out there…stepping into the house, I could see everyone’s faces and it just made me so happy. I still bring up that memory from time to time with my mom. That was her favorite Christmas as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kastudios.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.a_studios/
