ARTIST OF THE EVERY-OTHER-WEEK: Kayla Monteleone (designer and digital artist)

Who are you, Mrs. Monteleone?

I’m an explorer of all things interesting. Professionally, I’m a graphic designer. Unprofessionally, I am a painter, digital artist, blogger, TV show enthusiast, and reader.

What's your one-paragraph artist statement?

I don’t consider myself an artist, so making an artist’s statement is always dreadful. Am I an artist or a designer? Designer or photographer? Photographer or painter? Painter or writer? Writer or student? It’s hard to tell from one day to the next. In my work, whatever it might be, I strive to be genuine and fluorescent. I create work to inspire myself to be better and I can only hope this encourages others to do the same.

Where does your creativity stem from? Where'd it all start for you?

I’ve always had this drive to create. When I was very young, I wanted to be an inventor. I would take everyday objects, observe their functionality, and then reimagine them in different ways. I would build complex houses out of playing cards, create mandalas out of flowers, and doodle. In second grade, I was asked to draw a red fox for a hallway project and so I did. It looked so realistic, I think almost every teacher and staff member asked me how I did it. After that, it seemed everyone around me was encouraging me to pursue art. My mother would buy me art supplies for every holiday and my teachers would teach me about famous paintings. By fourth grade, I had won a drawing contest and won a field trip to my very first museum. There was no going back after that!

Tell us about your vintage photo series- the concept, inspiration, and process. 

I began this series fifteen years ago and just recently picked it back up. Early 1900s photography is full of creative passion, experimentation, and dreamlike wonder. You can feel the joy they had while snapping those moments. As a teenager, I found so much life in these photos, so I started to collect them. I was just learning how to work photoshop and was experimenting with digital mixed media collages. Through this new series, I try to transform these vintage ladies into a new experience for the viewer.

Who inspires you?

In all things, my mother. Without her strength, I wouldn’t be here today.

What's your favorite book, podcast, or other resource for creative inspiration/education?

Generally, I try to stay away from researching other’s work and look for inspiration in different forms. I usually draw my ideas from music, books, and cinema. If I’m looking for that extra kick of creative fuel, I’ll occasionally delve into Behance or Instagram to see what’s trending. If I’m looking for personal motivation, I listen to an episode of The History Chicks podcast. 

What's the funniest or most startling thing that's happened to you as an artist?

My paintings are almost always abstract expressionism in nature. I always have a laugh when people try to interpret them in some type of physical representation or “see” the real image hidden inside. The goal is to make the viewer feel – but so many people are uncomfortable with that.

So you work at Southern as a designer, you freelance, take classes, and then paint, design, and blog for fun. How do you balance your time and creativity? Are there some techniques you've found helpful to keep your energy strong in all those separate areas?

Honestly, without my dozen or so hobbies, I would sit on the couch all day and play video games (which I still do on occasion). For me, if I’m not pushing myself to be better, my energy plummets. A lot of my hobbies tie together, which makes my life easier. For example, I’ll choose a class project I find interesting and then read about it, write about it, and design about it.

what's your biggest dream? Where would you love to see your work take you?

Museums are my happy place. If I could somehow work for one creatively, that would be top notch.

what's your favorite spot in the Joplin area and why? (restaurant, coffeeshop, pothole, whatevs)

Downtown, for sure. I spend a lot of time in Joplin’s coffee shops and restaurants. We have a great community and culture here! If you don’t see it, then you’re not paying attention. 

if you could give advice to a young you (and young creatives everywhere), what would you say?

Always keep your work. Even if you want to crunch it up and toss it – keep it somewhere, so you can see how far you’ve come and how far you need to go.

What's your favorite Nicolas Cage movie?

Raising Arizona.