BLINN ALUMNUS FINDS HIS NICHE IN LOCAL ART COMMUNITY

  

Growing up, Blinn College alumnus and aspiring artist Kevin Newsome was unaware of the abundant career opportunities available in the art industry.

Upon enrolling at the Blinn College-Brenham Campus in 2009, the Brenham native set aside his artistic talents and pursued a degree in psychology while working as part of Blinn’s overnight cleaning crew. He quickly realized that his true passion lay with the art world.

“I was pushing myself to pursue a subject that was not for me,” Newsome said. “I was ready to give up when I enrolled in an introductory arts course. There, I found the support I needed to continue.”

Newsome’s determination to succeed caught the eye of Professor Doug Peck, who reached out to provide his support and assistance. Once Peck discovered Newsome’s passion for art, the pair discussed how he could turn his talents into a career.

“Art has always come so naturally to me,” Newsome said. “Once Mr. Peck told me about the many career opportunities in the art industry, I switched directions and enrolled in Blinn’s Fine Arts Program. All aspects of my life started to improve.”

The Blinn Fine Arts Program offers students the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the creative process through lecture- and studio-based classes. Students learn fundamentals, elements, and principles of creating art in both traditional and digital mediums. The program offers courses in art appreciation, art history, design, drawing, design communication, painting, art metals, ceramics, digital art, photography, and watercolor.

Blinn offers a wide range of courses necessary to successfully transfer and pursue baccalaureate and master’s degrees in fine arts. Advanced education gives artists the opportunity to develop their portfolio and progress into more advanced roles, such as art teachers and medical illustrators.

In addition to its wide-ranging fine arts offerings, Blinn’s Division of Visual/Performing Arts and Kinesiology offers courses in architecture, communication studies, kinesiology, music and theatre, and hosts a wide range of performances across its campuses.

“I took the advice from Mr. Peck and my other art teachers, and I started branching out on my own,” Newsome said. “I bought a sketch book and continuously practiced drawing. I would work all night in the art studio on campus, and it was no problem for me, because I had finally found my passion.”

In 2013, Newsome graduated from Blinn with an Associate of Arts Degree in Arts and took his talents to Bryan/College Station. He currently works at The Village Cafe, a coffeehouse located in Downtown Bryan, where he is training to become a pastry chef. Over the past two years, the cafe has hosted three art shows for Newsome, allowing him to line the shop’s walls with his artwork for several months at a time.

In addition to his exhibits at The Village Cafe, Newsome has artistic creations on display at The Gallery Downtown in Navasota and has painted a mural in the lobby of the Texas Avenue Medical Clinic in Bryan.

“Kevin is a remarkable individual, and I am glad he is finding success,” Peck said. “His paintings are expressive and lend him a voice that is powerful. Kevin's fortitude toward whatever he set his mind is his most remarkable quality. His story inspired me to become a better teacher.”

Newsome said he is appreciative of the businesses that have allow him to showcase his work, and hopes to someday open his own art studio.

“I am so grateful that Blinn helped me discover my passion for art,” Newsome said. “My advice to students going through the same struggle as I did: if you find something you love, never stop trying to pursue it.”

To view Newsome’s artwork, visit www.instagram.com/keven.newsome22/?hl=en.

For more information regarding Blinn’s Fine Arts Program, visit www.blinn.edu/vpa/arts.html.

Story and photo courtesy of Blinn College.