KENTON MICHAEL

THE BEGINNING

Kenton Michael rediscovered his creative passion while studying business at the University of Queensland in Australia from 2006 to 2010. His first creative outlet was drawing large scale black and white drawings. These artworks were inspired by music and lyrics that would create visual concepts in his mind then spill onto paper. After graduating with his degree he returned home to Southern California in 2010. He immediately got to work by transferring his artwork onto t-shirts by building an at home silkscreening process with his dad.

Silkscreening was short lived when given a the opportunity to work with jewelry designer Suzan Zahedi. He was able to learn the process of handmade sterling and gold jewelry making; working alongside the master craftsman. He came up with a few leather, sterling and beading techniques that helped form the concept for his initial Capsule Collection. He sold his first piece of jewelry at Studio Suzan in the summer of 2010. It was then that the KENTON MICHAEL Collection was born.

His first breakthrough opportunity came when he was given the chance to sell his collection at Garys Men's Store in Newport Beach, CA. The story came full circle when the first piece was sold to an Australian customer walking by when setting up the jewelry display.

THE PROCESS

Kenton often talks about his creative process when designing a new collection. Season after season like clockwork it was such an intense experience mentally that he documented the process in a series of six artworks aptly called 'Enjoy the Process.' Inspiration: a spark and an internal compulsion to create. Exploration: exploring learned techniques and new found materials to find a direction. Self Doubt: far enough into the process with trial and error. Doubt creeps in whether that pivotal idea to carry the collection forward will be found. Epiphany: that spark hits and the ideas move forward. Torment: this is where the concepts are fully tested. Technical details, design specs, functionality, price points, suppliers, over analyzing, doubt, burn out, sleep deprived, consumed mind, deadline. Certain ideas fail and adjustments are made. Restored: the process is complete. Only to start over again soon. A reminder to trust the process.

Kenton and DeAnna at the grand reopening of GARYS Men's Store.