Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenna Ring.
Hi McKenna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been creating art since I was a child, and I have always aspired to work as an artist of some sort. I’ve tried many different media, from watercolor to graphite to acrylic paint to digital art, and I went to college for fine arts, but I have always had a hard time figuring out what I want my work to say. Honestly, what bring me the most joy about creating art is color, and making something thats cute or weird or fun to look at. I also felt that my college program wasn’t preparing me for the career I wanted, but I also didn’t have to words to describe what I wanted. I started a small online shop in 2021, but I didn’t have the knowledge of marketing and social media I needed to make it work. After I graduated from college in 2022, I struggled to figure out how to make my art career a reality and I fell into a three year art slump. In 2025, I made the decision to try again. I decided to focus on designing products that were colorful and whimsical. I’m creating the sort of art that I would want. I’m creating for people like me: the people who feel a lot, the people who want to wear their opinions, the people who like cute little guys. I still have no idea what I’m doing or if I will succeed, but I am prepared to work and learn to make it happen.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been really difficult for many reasons. Art is not a career that’s easy to navigate and it can be hard to figure out what path is best for you. I’m currently attempting to build an illustration and apparel design business, but that’s not what I went to school for because I didn’t know what options there were. No one took the time to explain all the different ways I could be an artist, and I didn’t know how to ask the questions I needed to ask to figure that out. I was very lost for a long time, and I was really discouraged. But I feel like I’m more prepared now and I have better resources to use to make my business successful and live the life I want, even if it’s going to take time. I’m ready.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I describe my work as cute, weird and whimsical. I almost exclusively create work digitally right now because it’s the most accessible for me. I think the most notable thing about my work is the color. I love me a bright color scheme. My subject matter fluxuates and my style constantly changes, but my love of color stays the same. Right now, my work is very focused on colorful food and silly animals with opinions, but it’s bound to change.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Reading is my second love, constantly competing with my love of creating. My work has never been inspired by books necessarily, but audiobooks are great for entertaining me while I work and reading is great when I need a break from art. Libby is a life saver, and everyone should be using Libby for free audiobooks. Support your local library!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kenna-mai-art-studio.com/
- Instagram: @kenna.mai.art
- Facebook: Kenna Mai
- Other: https://kennamaiartstudio.etsy.com
