Not All Art Students Grow Up to Be Artists

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Hello, my name is Kadazia, and I am NOT an artist.

*RECORD SCRATCH*

Alright, relax. I get it.

If you know me in real life… Or well, if you’re reading this diary entry at all you’re probably lookin like

But hear me out and give me a chance to explain.

Let’s start at the beginning.

 
 

In elementary school I would do THEE absolute MOST for school projects. My family didn’t have money like that, but the price was always right on CraZArt construction paper, pipe cleaners, and school glue. Makin somethin outta nothin was the name of the game. Come Christmas I would always request some of the oddest but always creative things. I still haven’t forgiven myself for ruining the mad scientist crayon making kit I was gifted before I really got to use it. I was too impatient to wait until we got batteries for the proper crayon making machine and I just knew our hotel microwave would be a FANTASTIC substitute.

 
 

During my junior high school years, I didn’t meet an art medium I wasn’t ready to conquer.

Ceramic arts? Say less.

Any sort of painting? Light work.

A clearly old and previously highlighted script.
 

Singlehandedly write a full-length play for my drama club?

You already know what it is.

One of those Christmas’ I requested a sewing machine and started making tote bags (uglier than a mug) before tote bags were even poppin like that. Innovative.

OKAY SEAMSTRESS!

The next Christmas I requested an old-fashioned typewriter and wrote my first screenplay.

Talk. To. Me. Nice.

 
 

Steppin onto the high school scene, I made it to the big leagues y’all. I was accepted into Tacoma School of the Arts where I majored in theater and minored in songwriting.

My #1 Hit Single “Riding on the Bus” QUICKLY became a cult classic that I was requested to perform at every year’s kick-off showcase.

Deep in my thespian bag, I snagged every magical negro role that was offered.

For my senior project, my high school best friend (hey girl heeey) and I produced and directed a variety show of sorts for which I wrote half the songs, skits, and monologues. There were simply no limits to my artistic prowess. I won’t lie, I was a bit of a nightmare director behind the scenes. Sorry to that ensemble cast. But hey… You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t a young prodigious fine artEEst!

 
 

While I majored in psychology for my first year and a half of college, my fascination with the human psyche never stood a chance against my need for a consistent creative outlet. I met my Writing 101 teacher’s request for a two-page essay with an eight-page novella. Writing, producing, directing, and editing a gangland spoof for my communications class laid the groundwork for me to graduate with a degree emphasis in experimental filmmaking. By the time I gave my speech at graduation (as the official student speaker for my class of 2017) I had countless short films, a multi-channel video installation, and a 100-minute documentary on my resume.

*deep inhale to catch breath*

At this point you’re probably thinking I’m a jack of all trades but a master of none. Or maybe you’re not thinking that and I’m just projecting… This has been a niggling thought on the outskirts of my brain for YEARS now. It’s only been very recently that I’ve reflected and realized what’s really going on. With the exception of my junior high ceramics period (upon reflection, even I can admit that wasn’t my ministry back then), I’ve done very well in whatever medium I’ve experimented within. I tend to let my ideas guide me and put my ALL into the process of making.

Can I be REALLY real with y’all right now? I don’t even consider myself an artist these days. I’ve never been one for labels and after years of trying my darndest to define what kind of artist I am, I’m finally ready to break the chains and tell my truth.

My name is Kadazia Allen-Perry (KadaziaSparkles in these internet streets (Dazia if ya nasty)) and I am NOT an artist. I’m just an overthinker who likes to make things and tell stories. In my opinion, being an artist is about the finished product, while being a creative is all about getting lost in the process.

In short, I’m a creative.

In EXTRA, I’m a creative mad scientist.

Great to (re)meet you and even greater to have you along for this journey.

Now let’s go make something, fam!

Kadazia