Meet Kaylee Bender-Randolph | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaylee Bender-Randolph and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaylee, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Prioritizing creative connection with myself, other people and the world around me has changed my life . I need grounding, and I need to express, I always preach the necessity of creative expression. I think this also includes putting myself first. No matter what that looks like or how it feels, putting myself first and genuinely celebrating myself and community. How I am able to show up for myself and the world looks different every day, and I am learning to meet myself where I am at.

My work requires me to take intentional, introspective time with myself: journaling, sketching, finger painting, collage etc. I need that time for my mind to stretch and breathe. I’ve noticed opportunities and success come to me when I allow myself to play and be authentic in my work and connection with myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I learn more about my own art every day. I’m learning that it serves as a form of processing to me almost like a diary. The more I create, I notice unique worlds forming; I get to build and play within and around this universe. I’m most excited about growing into bigger pieces like installations where I can literally build the world that my art exists within.

I have my community to thank for where I am today, so much of my work has come from being in the right place at the right time, meeting people whose vision aligns with mine. I appreciate my friends whose mission is to help artists like me and grow a sustainable community. On this journey I’ve also learned to be intentional with my energy, at this point it sounds like a given but it has taken a lot of mistakes to learn what a full cup looks like to me.

I want people to walk away from my work knowing that artistic expression is for everybody. It is part of human nature and it’s necessary to live a healthy and balanced life. I want people to feel open in creating, expressing anger, showing love, laughing, singing, and dancing with their whole body…. I want people to feel okay in expressing their humanity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First things first we’re going to Watercourse and Sauvage Food Truck for some vegan goodies. Wax Trax will be waiting with all the good music. Then we can head over to Lawrence and Larimer, a dope black owned shop off Colfax where there’s always a community of intelligent and talented folks around. Over in Five Points, IRL Art and The Culture Museum have a lovely collection of local art including some exclusive virtual art experiences. And you can’t forget a lil party with Goodness on a Sunday afternoon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to recognize Robert Gray and S. Monet, two talented individuals who recognized me in the very beginning of my art journey! Thank you to my mom for supporting my childhood artist daydreams while building her own career. All of my friends, of course. Special shout out Cya, Yazz, Selah, and Tai for showing me the first glimpse of what a hustling artist and found family can look like.

Lastly, thank you Thomas “Detour” Evans for the book “Be the Artist” for inspiring me to turn art to a career

Website: Www.Nokaylee.com

Instagram: @nokaylee

Image Credits
Yvens Alex Saintil Divine “Vine” Ramazani