Today we’d like to introduce you to Trent McKinney.
Hi Trent, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a visual artist began when my longtime friend and collaborator, the Dallas-based rapper Will Bee, approached me for a cover art commission. Although I had no prior graphic design experience, I initially referred the project to the talented illustrator Rodney Conley, who unfortunately had no availability. Left with no alternative, I downloaded GIMP, a graphics editor, and began experimenting with images of Will. That was the moment my graphic design career was born.
Artistic creativity runs deep in my family. My mother, a graduate of Texas Southern University’s art program, is a versatile artist who excels in various mediums, including freehand drawing, sculpting, pastels, charcoal, and chalk. Growing up, her unique and personal creative flair always kept me well-dressed, and I took note of her artistry, seeking inspiration on my own.
During my formative years, I was heavily influenced by the Hip-Hop and sneaker blog culture, specifically websites such as NahRight, NikeTalk, and Hypebeast. Complex magazine, which featured some of my favorite artists at the time, including Pharrell, Kid Cudi, and Drake, further fueled my creative passions.
While many of my peers in Houston followed the same fashion trends, I sought to carve my own aesthetic path. Rejecting the baggy and sloppy fashion popular at the time, I drew inspiration from the fashion cues of the Midwest and East Coast, such as the prime-era Dipset and the aesthetic of Kanye West’s “College Dropout/Late Registration” era. This led me to discover Lupe Fiasco and streetwear brands like Bape, Stussy, Supreme, LRG, Mighty Healthy, and Fresh Jive. Raw denim, fresh kicks, and flashy eyewear became my signature style.
Today, I am proud to stand as an artist with my own unique message, creating art that speaks to my personal experiences and influences.
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?
Crafting a distinct brand identity, identifying optimal distribution channels for my clothing line, overcoming rejection, maintaining motivation, and cultivating a loyal following are all critical aspects of building a successful, influential, creative foundry/enterprise.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I take great pride in my individuality and unwavering faith in God’s ability to manifest my artistic potential. As a visual artist, I aspire to explore the realms of videography and 3D modeling. Presently, I am pursuing a UI/UX certification course to augment my design skills. The acquisition of this certification and formal training will unlock doors to a world of endless possibilities and enable me to soar to unprecedented heights in my creative pursuits. Each day, I express gratitude to God for endowing me with the gift of vision, discernment, and originality.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Faith, risk-taking, passion, creativity, and confidence are crucial traits that have contributed to my success as an artist. Initially, I had no intention of creating art for the public, let alone starting my own merchandise or clothing brand. However, when I shared my original T-shirt and logo designs with my close friend and fellow visual artist, John Omewah, founder of Prayer’s Loft, he urged me to take my art and designs seriously and to consider making them public. His words resonated with me, and I realized that I had nothing to lose by taking a leap of faith and pursuing my dreams. With John’s encouragement, I embraced my passion for art and design, confident in my abilities to create and share my unique vision with the world.
Pricing:
- Budget-based pricing preferably.
- Flat fee: $85/hr.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.intel-agressif.com
- Instagram: sainttrentevan
Image Credits
quincysgalleryhtx
