Today we’d like to introduce you to Khaila Carr.
Hi Khaila, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! Sure! My name is Khaila, and “Artist” was always my answer when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started out drawing like most kids, crayons, and markers. I used printer paper from my dad’s desk when I was a kid, and folded and stapled them together to draw in and make picture books to sell at school during recess for 25 cents. Little did I know, I was making some of my first comics and zines. I also played around on Microsoft Windows, KidsPix, and Sims quite a bit – which I think is where my love for digital art and animation comes from too.
I took art classes all the way through high school and eventually made my way to Columbus College of Art & Design. There, I explored just about every medium I was able to. I favored comics, printmaking, and motion graphics. I graduated with a BFA in Illustration and Fine Arts in 2018. Since then, I have been working as a freelance artist; illustrating dogs, designing logos, animating, and painting murals. I still try to educate myself on new mediums and methods of work via YouTube and through what other artist’s share of their process!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It was a smooth road only when I decided to start working for myself after many rejections from larger design offices and corporations. I was rejected from every single office job I applied for. I was told that my work was “too personal” or “too cute” and I felt that the modern, corporate design world was not looking for people like me.
After being rejected so many times, I had no choice but to pursue freelancing full-time; taking on any creative opportunity that came my way. Then it kind of just clicked for me, that the work I wanted to be making wouldn’t have been found at a design office anyways. It made me feel a lot better realizing this and now if I were to seek a creative office position, it would really have to be for a dream client.
Now, as I am more established in my clients and pathway years later, I feel that my struggle has been inspiration. So often I am making work for others, that I don’t allow myself enough time to create the personal work I need to make in order to process my own emotions and well-being. I do blame these past several years for sucking some of the motivation and inspiration from me – but I am hopeful that will come back as I learn to navigate this new world and the person I’ve become. I am learning that the creative process is more than just inspiration and making – it’s also taking care of yourself and tending to your needs outside of creativity. I think Yumi Sakugawa has some amazing writings and resources on replenishing creativity and I often turn to their work when I need some guidance.
Also, it wasn’t until I made connections with women-owned businesses like Wild Cat Gift + Party (formerly Wholly Craft) and FUZZ Nail Salon – that I truly felt seen as both a person and artist. I interned with Wild Cat in 2018 after graduating as a designer, and in 2020 started designing for Fuzz. Because of this, I learned to prioritize working with clients who respect me as an individual and don’t just see me as someone to produce work, I love when my own beliefs line up with my client’s and we can work together in a safe space. This is a big reason why I continue to work on a sliding-scale for some of my services, because I feel like everyone should have the opportunity to accessible design when it comes to starting their own business or building a brand.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do I do: I’m an artist whose work is influenced by color, psychedelia, and my Filipino-American heritage. I like to explore themes within my dreams, love and relationships, sexual and mental health, and life as a dog mom!
What do I specialize in: I illustrate portraits, dogs, environments, design logos, and advertising assets, painting murals for local businesses and small spaces, and animating music videos, commercials, billboards, etc. I am also a professional matcha-latte-drinker.
What am I known for: People often ask me about the few seconds of animation work I had in Bob’s Burgers on Season 8, Episode 1, also for my public art around Columbus. I think people also know me because of my Instagram presence (lol) I am eternally on the internet and have built a lot of my client relationships this way!
What am I most proud of: Continuing to pursue art even when everyone was telling me I wasn’t a good fit for the positions I wanted, I think being rejected so much taught me that art is actually what I really want to do, and I wouldn’t have done as well or learned all that I have or met the people I interact with now. I’m also very proud of continuing to work as an autobiographical artist and include images of myself in my work, sometimes I get younger people who identify similarly to me in my DMs on Instagram telling me they have my work pinned to their wall. Or they’ll draw a photo I’ve posted of myself and tag me in it – it’s one of my favorite things in the world. Someone drew me on my rollerskates once and just knowing I have inspired someone else to draw something is literally the best ever.
What sets me apart: I struggle with this question because I feel like all art is a regurgitation of past art – it’s a continuing conversation that wouldn’t exist without previous artwork or artists. So, to say that I am set apart via my art isn’t true, it’s actually the opposite. Some of my favorite artists I cling to because I feel like I am connected to them – not set apart from them. I think in that sense, it’s the fact that I try to build community or conversation or new relationships out of what I create. I worry that a lot of modern art, or “internet art”, is created simply for commodification and not for the soul – which sounds super “woo woo” – but I try really hard to make sure my art is helping others just as much as it’s helping me.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Best: I grew up here in Columbus, so it will always be home to me. I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity if you search for it and find where there’s a gap you can fill. I love that every time I travel away from Columbus, I’m excited to come back and be in my own bed, minutes from friends and family and the places I frequent. I love Columbus because it introduced me to my best friends, the love of my life, it provided me with an education. The DIY music + art scene is also so amazing!
I’ve spent the last month in my birthplace of Manila, Philippines and it’s really taught me how much of a brat I can be when it comes to appreciating Columbus. I think anyone can start to feel this way if they’ve lived in one city for a majority of their life. However, I think Columbus was the best I could have asked for. Although I do want to leave someday, there’s just something about this city that will always bring me back. I’d really love to open up a storefront here someday!
Least: Everything closes so early here, I’m a night owl and I’d like more 24-hour options for sure, or at least places open past 10 pm haha… and obviously we need some better distribution of funding, public transportation, more public art, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.khailacarr.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/baby.lumpia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bblumpia
Image Credits
Columbus Museum of Art Land Grant Brewing Company
