Meet Tosin Killz | Visual Artist, Designer

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

Hi Tosin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It wasn’t a thought. I think thinking too much kills the execution. I kind of just did. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just learned as I went. I never thought it would turn into a business. I just was creating art and people loved it and wanted it for themselves. I believe that’s the cheat code – create for yourself first.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is a memoir of my life. At times I feel like I’ve lived 100 years just to come back down to earth and realize I’m still 24. But when I look at my art it is confirmed I have actually lived 1000 lives. I pride myself in people feeling something when they see my art . That feeling where it’s like “how did she do this?’ I love that question lol I think that’s like the best reaction for an artist, curiosity. Someone once described my visuals as another world, I think its important for your art to be its own world.

I got to where I got professionally because I believe in taking risks, – I always put myself out there. The biggest advice and lesson I’ve learned is to kill shyness, shyness is the opposite of confidence. You have to first be confident in yourself and your art for anyone to give you a shot and take you serious.

I overcome challenges by always reminding myself that faith is the only answer, that there is something brighter than whatever dullness I was facing at the moment. I believe wholeheartedly that God will show me just how great it can get.

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.
If we were in Chicago I would take them to the Art Institute my favorite museum in the Chi,, Happy hour at STK , Harolds for a 6 piece fried hard, with extra lemon pepper and extra mild sauce eat it at the lakefront and then chill at Virgin Hotels rooftop for the views. And then top it off with Jen’s ice cream for something sweet!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My AP art teacher Ms, Adebesin my Senior year told me “the biggest person in your way is always going to yourself, if you let it” I was 16 at the time so that was a very profound statement for me. I knew then it was my job to do the work and me only, no blaming games or pointing fingers for lack of success. She was the also the 1st person to put a dslr in my hand. At the time I was nifty with point and shoots and my iPhone camera but she took it to the next level for me. In AP art you have a concentration, mine was painting since I’ve always enjoyed it but she made me realize I wasn’t as passionate in it as photography so I changed my concentration to that. I was 1/3 who passed the AP exam in the class. S/O MS. A!

Website: https://tosinkillz.work

Instagram: tosinkillz

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tosinkillz287

Image Credits
– Every photo shot by Tosin Killz or a Killz @killzxkillz design

besides
Green backdrop photo shot by @jmoneyj12