Meet Karen Pedrosa | KayLove” Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Pedrosa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
During the pandemic I was working for NYC Parks department as a Deputy Chief of Recreation and doing my art part time when I could. My role was to oversee the arts, recreation and cultural programming in the Bronx. It was a very weird time, our parks and recreation centers were closed to the public, our staff were in a state a limbo and we were all just trying to figure it out, day by day. During this time they decided they wanted to transfer me to Staten Island, it was a political move and one I was not happy about and was not accepting for myself. I had dedicated my life to uplifting the Bronx through my work since I was born and raised here and a move to Staten Island would not benefit me or my mission. So I decided to take a risk on myself. I resigned and left a 6 figure, high profile, civil servant position after 17 years of dedicating my life to the people of NYC. It was time for me to dedicate my time, energy, efforts and talents on my dreams, my art and community. So I started my full time career as an artist, screen printer, Graffiti educator and muralist, working out of my home in the Bronx.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is very colorful, bold, raw and vibrant. It is a mix of 90’s Bronx graffiti, abstract expressionism, street/contemporary art with a sprinkle of my spirituality. My work is inspired by my Puerto Rican culture, Hip Hop and the people of the community.

I get excited to paint in my community with me people and have them engage in my art. I do this by either getting their ideas to incorporate in my piece or giving them a spray can and showing them how to use it and fill in some of the work. The look on their faces, especially young girls who gravitate towards me, when they have a can in their hand is uplifting and powerful.

My next exciting project is the biggest I will be working on. I have been given the position as lead artist for re-imagining the Shakespeare stairs. CITYarts will breathe new life into the 132 steps that connect Anderson Ave. and Shakespeare Ave. in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx by collaborating with youth and artists to paint a staircase mural that will add vibrancy, joy, and a sense of community to its surroundings. This project brings members of the Bronx community together around the revitalization of a common, public throughway that will contribute to the rich history of the area with a sense of national and local togetherness through art. The site became an iconic landmark and tourist attraction after it appeared in the critically acclaimed film Joker, where actor Joaquin Phoenix, who won the 2020 academy Best Actor award for his performance, memorably dances to Gary Glitter’s song “Rock and Roll Part 2”. The ‘Joker Stairs’ project is an opportunity to connect youth, local businesses, artists, and volunteers in the community with shared ownership on a public mural.

Through out my career I have worked for other agencies fulfilling their mission while keeping my art on the back burner. Even though these positions gave me some flexibility to still be artistic and bring art to others I could not fully dedicate myself to my craft and passion. I would participate in some shows and projects here and there but also missed many opportunities due to my full time commitment to my employer. Many times I had to say no to projects that aligned with who I was because there was a conflict of interest due to my civil servant position. Along the way I also learned how people, businesses and organizations love to use artist for exposure by pulling on their heart strings using community as an excuse.

If you stick to your moral convictions and know the value of who you are, your talent, skill set and place boundaries than nothing can stop you or inhibit you from doing what you are called to do and what you want to do.

I want people to know that I am here to spread love through art. That it is important that we empower the youth by giving them the tools that they need through visual arts by inspiring them when they see colorful work that represents them and their community. That public art should reflect them, their hopes, their dreams, their visions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop would be my old neighborhood, Cedar Park in the Bronx. This park is what birthed Hip Hop in 1972 after DJ Kool Herc, the Godfather of Hip Hop, held the first Hip Hop party in the community room at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. The parties became too big so he packed his equipment and records with everyone following him to the basketball courts. There Bboys and Bgirls battled as he mixed and looped songs that gave birth to HIP HOP!

Second stop on our Award tour we are going to get some graffiti/street art action. The Bronx is known for being the mecca of graffiti culture with many outdoor museums and walls. Boone Avenue stretches perhaps over a mile with colorful graffiti and street art pieces from artist all around the country and world. Artist like Crash, Queen Andrea, Shiro, TATS Cru, Wane, Lexi Bella and many other heavy hitters have graced these walls with their vibrant bold pieces.

Now its time to eat! We are going to the true and authentic Little Italy on Arthur Avenue, Belmont section of the Bronx where the classic Bronx Tale was filmed and scenes of the GodFather. We are going to grab some fresh bread from one of the oldest family owned bakeries Addeos then get some some unique IPA’s from the boys over at the Bronx Beer Hall. So now its time for some vegan fair so we are heading to Morris Park to get some great Colombian food at La Masa restaurant where they have over 15 types of empanadas.

After being stuffed now its time to walk it off and enjoy the sunset at the biggest park in NYC, Pelham Bay Park where there are 2,772 acres of land and trails. Walk with the ancestors of the past on the lands of the Lenape natives, see dear, robins, woodpeckers, cranes and wild life.

The Bronx is truly beautiful!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to the BX Arts Factory who re-sparked my career as an artist and helped grow my confidence my giving me the opportunity to volunteer as a workshop facilitator and gave me my first public outdoor mural gig. They are a great organization that provides FREE art programming to the Bronx community and residencies for local Bronx artist. I would also like to give a pound to Windows of Hip Hop and Melissa Lebron, who took a chance on me and my Graffiti 101 workshops. Through being part of their team I am able to teach the history of Graffiti and share my passion of the art form to our youth in the schools. Mad love to fellow artist and friend Gia Guiterrez, who included me in her group shows when I was reviving my art career and always shares opportunities with me.

Lastly but not least shout out to the Bronx and its beautiful, resilient people who drive and inspire me everyday. They are truly my inspiration.

Website: www.kaylovebx.com

Instagram: @kaylovebx

Twitter: @kaylovebx

Facebook: KayLove Art

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJYvQeybcUnIv-hPuz_ycog