Conversations with Kevin HEES

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin HEES.

Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There is nothing in human consciousness, more profound than the journey of a human life. It is unprecedented, unrepeatable, breathtaking and remarkable that we can look out into the world and up into the sky. Ask questions. Seek answers. Learn. After 35 years of doing hair, makeup and photography in the beauty business I began a quest for meaning in my art after receiving a phone call on set one day. The voice on the other end of the phone said., “You’ve got cancer”. I said, “OK, I’ll come in next week and we’ll figure out a game plan” and the voice said to me
“No, you’ll come in right now”. In that moment, my first thought was you have no right to feel anything but gratitude in this moment for the life that you’ve been given. After treatment, I took a break for a few years. I moved from New York to Palm Springs then LA. and I began painting fine art. I had been painting all my life. I’d just been painting with light and cosmetics. I now paint with acrylics.
The goal in life isn’t to live forever. The goal in life is to create something that does. I’ve been given a second chance at life and so I will use that gift and my art to inspire, educate and elevate others to the best of my ability.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Frank Clark once said “If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere”. There have been many many obstacles and struggles along the way and I continue to struggle everyday. I struggle to get my art out there, to be recognized, to be heard and to be seen. However, I wouldn’t change anything.
Each struggle has helped me to evolve as an artist and as a human being….. each struggle has made me stronger.
My art is a constant source of happiness and joy for me so it’s worth the struggles. Being an artist is a very lonely life. Everybody sees the exhibits and the parties and think wow, it must be a lot of fun, but that’s only a few times a year. The rest of the time you’re in the studio by yourself working. I’m grateful for my time alone. I like burning my candles, listening to music and creating…. that makes me happy.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started painting in 2019 right before the pandemic, everything started happening really fast. I had a residency in Paris within three months. I auctioned at Amfar for a huge amount of money within a year and I exhibited at the Bechtler Museum’s Pop to Now – The Legacy of Andy Warhol. I exhibited with Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Kristin McIver and Thankyou X.

I create contemporary abstract art with social commentary. My work is very message driven. I created the HEES Mark. The mark symbolizes the ingredients for Life/Art (TIME, ENERGY, SIGHT , SOUND and PHYSICALITY). I use that Mark to create a body of work to remind people of what it means to be human.

It is important to create art that is instantly recognizable to you. I want to create art with purpose and meaning. When you put my art in an exhibit with the masters, it must stand out on its own. That’s probably the biggest hurdle an artist will ever encounter. I got very, very lucky that my point of difference was shown to me very early in my career.

I’m very proud of all of my work and I’m very grateful for the journey I’ve had so far. I am honored to have collectors who believe in me.

I am most proud of the documentary that I just released HUMAN – The Making of the Human Mural. It is the most profound endeavor of my career to date. The HUMAN mural describes what it means to be human. I wanted to sit on camera and talk about how and why I created it. The documentary is a representation of what I believe and who I am at my core. It states my narrative.

I’m not trying to tell anyone how to live, what to think, what to believe or how to feel with my art. The intention of my work is to remind people of what it means to be human and what a great gift life is.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I live my life in a very public arena so there is very little people don’t know about me. I think what people don’t know about me that I’ve never really talked about is my family and my family life growing up until I was 18 years old. I lived in a very toxic environment. It was very unhealthy and it created a lot of mental health issues for me. Having said that, I am doing very well now that I’ve had a chance to educate myself about narcissistic abuse. I have learned a lot the last five years about myself and about other people’s behavior and how to navigate toxic behavior. These experiences have informed my art profoundly. It is crucial in life to have kind people around you…. people who love, respect and support you. Acceptance, Kindness and Tolerance these are the keys to a successful life. Be who you are with no fear. Shine your light. Be the change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heesart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heesofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.s.hees/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hees-ab81aa20/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q55ATbQ4apM

Image Credits
THRIVE – 84″ x 72″ Acrylic, mixed mexia and paint stick on raw canvas.
One of seven panels.

EUPHORIA – 66″ x 54″ Acrylic, mixed media and paint stick on raw canvas

DUO – 66″ x 54″ Acrylic and paint stick on canvas

Norton Museum, Palm Beach – 80th Anniversary

Beckler Museum – POP TO NOW – The Legacy of Andy Warhol

Aktion Art Exhibit – Andy Warhol, Basquiat, Keith Haring and HEES

The meaning of the HEES mark

HEES Art Haus