"I had to really re-evaluate who I was."
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March 24, 2011
GRAFITTI ARTIST AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Sean Kernick
Dad, Husband, Artist, Community Gatherer
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The interview
Sean Kernick is a 33 year old creative artist and community organizer. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.
DS: How did you hear about Dailysingle? What are you expecting from being on the front page?
Sean Kernick: I first heard about it from a friend. Then, I checked it out online and read the "Rabid Entrepreneur" profile about the guy who couldn't stop entrepreneur-ing. It was very intimate and engaging and crossed the line between print and web.
Sean Kernick: I first heard about it from a friend. Then, I checked it out online and read the "Rabid Entrepreneur" profile about the guy who couldn't stop entrepreneur-ing. It was very intimate and engaging and crossed the line between print and web.
DS: What are the most memorable years of your life and what happened to make them so memorable?
Sean Kernick: 1987: I'd have to say the ear I moved from Detroit to Philadelphia when I was 10 is the most memorable. I went from living in very low income class neighborhood in Detroit to living in a working class neighborhood in Philly so the socioeconomic level jumped one. But the attitude in Philadelphia was so different -- people were so aggressive, alpha-male, even at that age. I was sort of a skinny kid, of slight build, and the funny guy in class. And that wasn't considered tough. So I had to really re-evaluate who I was.
Sean Kernick: 1987: I'd have to say the ear I moved from Detroit to Philadelphia when I was 10 is the most memorable. I went from living in very low income class neighborhood in Detroit to living in a working class neighborhood in Philly so the socioeconomic level jumped one. But the attitude in Philadelphia was so different -- people were so aggressive, alpha-male, even at that age. I was sort of a skinny kid, of slight build, and the funny guy in class. And that wasn't considered tough. So I had to really re-evaluate who I was.
In Raleigh, people are really hungry for a way to express themselves and define what this city could be.
DS: Where were you born and where do you live now?
Sean Kernick: I was born in Detroit, MI and now live in Raleigh, NC. In Raleigh, people are really hungry for a way to express themselves and define what this city could be which is definitely refreshing.
Sean Kernick: I was born in Detroit, MI and now live in Raleigh, NC. In Raleigh, people are really hungry for a way to express themselves and define what this city could be which is definitely refreshing.
DS: How would you best describe yourself?
Sean Kernick: Friendly, communal. I enjoy being in community. I enjoy not just creating things but also sharing them. I'm energetic, somewhat scattered -- I'm always juggling many projects. I think I'm very loving, very affectionate towards the people I care about. I'm open to receiving affection from those people too.
Sean Kernick: Friendly, communal. I enjoy being in community. I enjoy not just creating things but also sharing them. I'm energetic, somewhat scattered -- I'm always juggling many projects. I think I'm very loving, very affectionate towards the people I care about. I'm open to receiving affection from those people too.
CONTACT HIM
DS: What are the must-haves in your daily wardrobe?
Sean Kernick: Definitely my beater; I wear one everyday and I wear one to bed. It feels almost like a uniform. I usually wear a pair of white shoes, my paint-splattered black leather jacket during the winter, and either my Tigers hat or my black Kangol hat. Almost all of my wardrobe is based out of necessity and comfort and not really style.
Sean Kernick: Definitely my beater; I wear one everyday and I wear one to bed. It feels almost like a uniform. I usually wear a pair of white shoes, my paint-splattered black leather jacket during the winter, and either my Tigers hat or my black Kangol hat. Almost all of my wardrobe is based out of necessity and comfort and not really style.
DS: Who do people tell you you look like?
Sean Kernick: I get a cross between James McAvoy and Casey Affleck. I actually don't have people say I look like anyone usually.
Sean Kernick: I get a cross between James McAvoy and Casey Affleck. I actually don't have people say I look like anyone usually.
DS: What is the compliment you most frequently get?
Sean Kernick: I get a lot of compliments through my blog, Two Four Flinching. Like, "thank you for sharing" or "thank you for putting this event together". I really enjoy getting those, knowing that people really get something out of my art events, blog posts, or artwork. It's all about sharing the experience.
Sean Kernick: I get a lot of compliments through my blog, Two Four Flinching. Like, "thank you for sharing" or "thank you for putting this event together". I really enjoy getting those, knowing that people really get something out of my art events, blog posts, or artwork. It's all about sharing the experience.
Working on an installation.
DS: How did you end-up being a grafitti artist and community organizer?
Sean Kernick: So the artist part came first. It kinda grew out of my childhood focus of trying to make myself respectable to my peers. I was really trying to define myself as a man among very aggressive alpha males. Drawing grew into painting and that grew into all types of other things. And then going to Syracuse University and then art school, I realized that being an artist isn't what I thought it was. I wanted to be an amazing artist, but life doesn't really give that to you. I started realizing that I was also really interested in community organizing. My parents were both involved in organizing, and I followed in their footsteps. I wanted to do more than just edify myself through art, more than just promoting the "look at me" narcissistic side of art. I never felt completely fulfilled with that so I decided to meld community, art, and culture through hosting art events -- parties, shows, charity events, etc.
Sean Kernick: So the artist part came first. It kinda grew out of my childhood focus of trying to make myself respectable to my peers. I was really trying to define myself as a man among very aggressive alpha males. Drawing grew into painting and that grew into all types of other things. And then going to Syracuse University and then art school, I realized that being an artist isn't what I thought it was. I wanted to be an amazing artist, but life doesn't really give that to you. I started realizing that I was also really interested in community organizing. My parents were both involved in organizing, and I followed in their footsteps. I wanted to do more than just edify myself through art, more than just promoting the "look at me" narcissistic side of art. I never felt completely fulfilled with that so I decided to meld community, art, and culture through hosting art events -- parties, shows, charity events, etc.
DS: Can you tell us more about your job?
Sean Kernick: Sure. So my day to day is crazy. I have a day job, and I have a wife who stays at home and two kids. I have numbers that need to be met -- bills, assignments, etc. Because of that, I'm a graphic designer at a company in Chapel Hill, NC, standard 9-5 deal. And then I have all my freelance work which includes anything from logo design to web design to coordinating an event. I feel like all of my jobs and activities reflect my urge to bounce around. When I was younger, I bounced around from place to place. Now that I'm rooted and anchored in one city, my mind still wanders. I might want to paint this week but then next week, I want to try my hand at comic book design. I've always been like that.
Sean Kernick: Sure. So my day to day is crazy. I have a day job, and I have a wife who stays at home and two kids. I have numbers that need to be met -- bills, assignments, etc. Because of that, I'm a graphic designer at a company in Chapel Hill, NC, standard 9-5 deal. And then I have all my freelance work which includes anything from logo design to web design to coordinating an event. I feel like all of my jobs and activities reflect my urge to bounce around. When I was younger, I bounced around from place to place. Now that I'm rooted and anchored in one city, my mind still wanders. I might want to paint this week but then next week, I want to try my hand at comic book design. I've always been like that.
My studio.
DS: Let's talk more about you and your tastes. Any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? Any thing you like and recommend?
Sean Kernick: It's hard to find downtime but when I do have that, I like reading comic books. I'm a big comic book nerd -- Walking Dead fanatic, Spider Man. Seriously, I have enough comic books where I could probably build a small hut out of them, put it out in my backyard or something. I love sitting at the movies, just going alone and enjoying the art of movie making. It's really amazing how filmmakers do what they do. I also really love music. I can't play it, but I'm so envious of how musicians can extend the engagement over time. You can't do that with artwork where the experience is only there for a moment.
Sean Kernick: It's hard to find downtime but when I do have that, I like reading comic books. I'm a big comic book nerd -- Walking Dead fanatic, Spider Man. Seriously, I have enough comic books where I could probably build a small hut out of them, put it out in my backyard or something. I love sitting at the movies, just going alone and enjoying the art of movie making. It's really amazing how filmmakers do what they do. I also really love music. I can't play it, but I'm so envious of how musicians can extend the engagement over time. You can't do that with artwork where the experience is only there for a moment.
DS: What is a typical week for Sean Kernick?
Sean Kernick: Well a typical day goes something like this: I wake up, get my kids ready for school. I drive to Chapel Hill and work as a graphic designer; I'm a design director. And then during my lunch break, I drive somewhere and set up a little studio in my car. So I usually draw during my lunch time. After work, I come home and I hang out with the kids for a few minutes before dinner. Then we all have dinner together as a family. After dinner, there's about a 30 minute break to relax before putting the kids to bed. From there, I either go to my home office where I do more freelance work or I drive downtown to my studio where I work on my graffiti art. Every weekday is usually like this. Weekends are pretty similar so I'm catching up with freelance work or organizing some art show.
Sean Kernick: Well a typical day goes something like this: I wake up, get my kids ready for school. I drive to Chapel Hill and work as a graphic designer; I'm a design director. And then during my lunch break, I drive somewhere and set up a little studio in my car. So I usually draw during my lunch time. After work, I come home and I hang out with the kids for a few minutes before dinner. Then we all have dinner together as a family. After dinner, there's about a 30 minute break to relax before putting the kids to bed. From there, I either go to my home office where I do more freelance work or I drive downtown to my studio where I work on my graffiti art. Every weekday is usually like this. Weekends are pretty similar so I'm catching up with freelance work or organizing some art show.
DS: Some quick questions: What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Sean Kernick: Well, I usually hit the snooze button and then take a shower. I wash off the previous day and start the day fresh.
Sean Kernick: Well, I usually hit the snooze button and then take a shower. I wash off the previous day and start the day fresh.
DS: What is your favorite word?
Sean Kernick: 'Fatherhood' is cool. It sounds strong and oddly gangster-y.
Sean Kernick: 'Fatherhood' is cool. It sounds strong and oddly gangster-y.
DS: What it your favorite quotation? Or make your own for posterity...
Sean Kernick: "Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they would get, but if you work really hard and are kind, amazing things will happen." It's from Conan O'Brien, from his closing speech on his last episode on the Tonight Show. Coming from a man who had his lifelong dream in his grasp, and then it was all taken away from him so suddenly, what he said is pretty powerful.
Sean Kernick: "Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they would get, but if you work really hard and are kind, amazing things will happen." It's from Conan O'Brien, from his closing speech on his last episode on the Tonight Show. Coming from a man who had his lifelong dream in his grasp, and then it was all taken away from him so suddenly, what he said is pretty powerful.
DS: What is your favorite "drug"?
Sean Kernick: Inspiration, without a doubt. It's the most intimate, valuable thing that people share. It gives somebody so much. It can take someone who is lost and orient that person toward the direction he or she is supposed to go. It's the sum of all your efforts.
Sean Kernick: Inspiration, without a doubt. It's the most intimate, valuable thing that people share. It gives somebody so much. It can take someone who is lost and orient that person toward the direction he or she is supposed to go. It's the sum of all your efforts.
The photo shoot
DS: What magic power would you like to have if you could choose one?
Sean Kernick: Magic power and not super power? In that case, I'd choose some sort of magical ability to influence people and lead people. Not like a dictator, but more like a Dalai Lama type figure who inspires people and encourages them to be nice to others and use their talents for the greater good.
Sean Kernick: Magic power and not super power? In that case, I'd choose some sort of magical ability to influence people and lead people. Not like a dictator, but more like a Dalai Lama type figure who inspires people and encourages them to be nice to others and use their talents for the greater good.
DS: If not yourself, who would you be?
Sean Kernick: I'd be someone who makes people laugh, like a comedian. But I wouldn't want to travel all over the place. To be honest, I'd rather have the best parts of fame and celebrity. I wouldn't want to be someone else and have to deal with the stress of being famous. I know that's kinda a cop-out answer, but it's how I feel.
Sean Kernick: I'd be someone who makes people laugh, like a comedian. But I wouldn't want to travel all over the place. To be honest, I'd rather have the best parts of fame and celebrity. I wouldn't want to be someone else and have to deal with the stress of being famous. I know that's kinda a cop-out answer, but it's how I feel.
DS: What is in store for you? Any key projects for the next months? Anything you want to share? Can our readers help you with anything?
Sean Kernick: Right now, I'm really trying to coordinate a series of events that bring music and art together. I've been meeting with people in Charlotte, NC about the idea. The series will be called Houseparty Classics. In Raleigh, there are a lot of art fairs and things like that but the house parties will be different, more about all-out creative expression. I'm also focused on building up my site Two Four Flinching, www.24flinching.com . I put anything interesting that I come across on that site as well as any projects I'm working on. A couple of posts have received a lot of hits, but I'd love for anyone reading this to take a look at the site and leave a comment!
Sean Kernick: Right now, I'm really trying to coordinate a series of events that bring music and art together. I've been meeting with people in Charlotte, NC about the idea. The series will be called Houseparty Classics. In Raleigh, there are a lot of art fairs and things like that but the house parties will be different, more about all-out creative expression. I'm also focused on building up my site Two Four Flinching, www.24flinching.com . I put anything interesting that I come across on that site as well as any projects I'm working on. A couple of posts have received a lot of hits, but I'd love for anyone reading this to take a look at the site and leave a comment!
DS: Anything you want to add to close this interview?
Sean Kernick: My kids are very important to me. But the time you can spend with your kids is only a fraction of the time you spend at work or doing work. That's just the reality of things. Knowing that, I think parents, especially young and creative parents, have to find some creative way to connect to their kids throughout the day. For example, I make my daughters' lunches everyday. In each of their bags, I'll leave a hand-drawn picture, and they're not allowed to look at it until lunch time. The picture could be about something we did together or saw in the past few days. When the girls get back home, I'll ask them what they thought about their sketches, and we'll have a discussion about them. Things like that are so important. You really have to be present to your kids and let them know that you're there for them always, no matter what.
Sean Kernick: My kids are very important to me. But the time you can spend with your kids is only a fraction of the time you spend at work or doing work. That's just the reality of things. Knowing that, I think parents, especially young and creative parents, have to find some creative way to connect to their kids throughout the day. For example, I make my daughters' lunches everyday. In each of their bags, I'll leave a hand-drawn picture, and they're not allowed to look at it until lunch time. The picture could be about something we did together or saw in the past few days. When the girls get back home, I'll ask them what they thought about their sketches, and we'll have a discussion about them. Things like that are so important. You really have to be present to your kids and let them know that you're there for them always, no matter what.
DS: Thank you Sean Kernick
Sean Kernick: No, thank you. It was fun!
Sean Kernick: No, thank you. It was fun!
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