From The Studio | Kwanza Humphrey KC Visual Artist
I draw, paint, and make the invisible visible
I’ve been working on several pieces on panel lately. Experimenting with my technique and I’ve been happy with the results so far. The work is pulling me in a direction of discovery and heritage. I’ll continue to push the materials and ideas until something else inspires me.
I’m finishing up a commission but took a little time to work on a personal piece.
#wip #workonpaper #pencilonpaper #mixedmedia #hiphopculture #drawing #artprocess #blackartist #kansascityart #kcartist #interurbanarthouse #kwanza
Join me for receptions starting at 4 PM at Habitat Contemporary, and 6 PM at H&R Block Artspace
What more can an artist ask for, than new adventures with creative opportunities to share their art with new people in new places across the world?
I am moving into this month with gratitude for all of the great conversations, art sold, and profound questions that were asked of me by my community of friends and patrons in the dialog circle at HJ’s. One question sticks with me, “How are you going to move toward your art being your full-time occupation?” While I dream of being full-time in the studio, I am also quite clear that I am on the right path. These next couple of exhibitions demonstrate the power of this process of unfolding, cascading opportunities emerging from each other.
The BAAR Art Journey and Residency is an incredible honor. Join me this Friday for the first exhibition of my work with BAAR, as it launches from KC, out into the world with an exciting series of group exhibitions. Over the next 10 months, 3 paintings and 1 mixed-media piece will travel across the country and the world. I am curious to see how new opportunities will emerge. That is how the journey continues… one show plants a seed and the next one sprouts.
The H&R Block Artspace at the KCAI is opening the 2023 Kansas City Flatfile & Digitalfile, featuring artwork by over 250 regional artists, including 5 of my mixed media pieces. In 2019, I participated in the flatfiles call for art and it was from this unique exhibition that my current commission for St. James Catholic Church emerged. I love the serendipity and synchronicity that comes along the path. I wholeheartedly believe that the just right next steps are emerging. I am looking forward to another wonderful Friday night in KC with art receptions stacked and opportunities sprouting all around us. Join me.
2023 Kansas City Flatfile & Digitalfile: H&R Block Artspace
07.07.23
OPENING RECEPTION 6-8
Making the invisible, visible; comes from trusting that I am on my path. Thank you for joining me. See you soon.
~Kwanza
What a great night for art in Kansas City. My solo exhibition Distinctly Human is up now at HJ’s Youth & Community Center opened the same night as the opening of the Brookside Art Fair. The space is about 2 blocks away from the fair. The night was beautiful with the weather being pleasant at 70-something degrees. The opening was sparsely attended, but that allowed for a more intimate gathering and the ability to connect more deeply. I’m not much of a public speaker so this was perfect. I gave a few opening remarks and then opened it up for questions. We all gathered in a circle and while I don’t like to explain exactly every detail in the work I do, I could explain the intent and listen to the observations others had and what they saw. Though it was a small gathering it was a big night for sales. As one patron put it my work was getting the measles as red dots were sprouting up. Thank you again to all those that made it out and for the great conversations. The exhibition will be up until the end of June. If you’re down for the Brookside Art Fair, head just a couple blocks south to check it out. Feel free to add another red dot too!