Meet Kevin Bannister

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

Hi Kevin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It’s just how I’m wired, really. I’ve always been attracted to creative expression: visual art and design, music, storytelling, good food (not making so much as eating), abstract problem-solving, mentorship, communicating ideas in novel ways. I was *very* lucky to grow up in an environment where all that was encouraged, and I’ve just never stopped. My path has been anything but straightforward, but I’ve been able to continue improving and combining skills to bring awesome things into the world, for my clients and the people I care about. I don’t think that core drive will ever go away.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Sure! I’m a professional illustrator and designer based in the North Park area of San Diego, working in commercial illustration, art mentorship, identity design, copywriting, educational products, high-end apparel, and tabletop gaming industries.

I work with clients and businesses looking to invest in meaningful imagery that helps connect them with their audience and to themselves. The bedrock of that process (and one of the most rewarding parts) has been getting into those rarer, deeper conversations: mapping out the heart of their needs and drives to deliver more than just nice imagery. If you can build that level of trust and empathy with a client, you can’t help but make something that’ll be useful and instructive for both of you, something that LASTS.

I’ve made a lot of things I can be proud of, but at the top of that list is the label art and writing I’ve done for Barley and Sword Brewing Company over the last year. They’re relatively new to the craft scene here in SD, but their vision is crystal-clear: make great beer and create space for community, by celebrating the tradition and history of each style. We’ve done 12 labels together so far, and I’m looking to finish a couple more by New Years’. Even if we hadn’t ended up working together I’d still be a fan of their product, just phenomenal traditional-style beer.

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.
This is one of those “where do I stop?” kind of questions: SO many places to go!

If the weather’s good there are lots of hiking and bike trails, and we’re absolutely going up to La Jolla for some snorkeling and kayaking with the leopard sharks (they’re friendly, I swear).

Breakfast or brunch at the Mission here in NP, Trust and Sunnyboy Biscuits in Hillcrest, Parkhouse Eatery in University Heights; Lunch or dinner at Shakespeare Pub & Grille, Taproom Burgers, Blind Lady Alehouse, Cantina Mayahuel, Underbelly, Crazeeburger, Pomagranate, Bangkok Spices, and a hundred other places.

I’d want to take them out for some good live music: Casbah if we can get in, and you’ve got Soda Bar, Black Cat Club, Tower Bar, Observatory, on and on and on. Then we’re capping off the night with my guy Tony Jaw at Redwing, one of the best karaoke spots in town.

And then, of COURSE, there’s drinks. Polite Provisions and Sycamore Den have great cocktails, and for breweries its an endless list of goodness. North Park Beer Company, Fall, Modern Times, Seek, Thorn, Pizza Port, Ketch, El Cid… but my current favorite (surprise surprise) is good old Barley and Sword (see above). I happen to host some tabletop games there on the odd Thursday if you’re up for some drinks and dice!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to thank my family, friends, fellow artists, coworkers, teachers, clients, and especially my partner Celia, for inspiring me and cheering me on through those moments of self-doubt that we all (especially us creative professionals) go through. I wouldn’t be here without them (the literal truth for at least two of them). The full list wouldn’t fit in this submission window, haha.

As far as books and media go, I’ve got a few recommendations: “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin, “The Win Without Pitching Manifesto” by Blair Enns, “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, and “Every Tool’s a Hammer” by Adam Savage. I keep coming back to these every few years, and I learn new things every single time.

Website: https://www.kevinbannister.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofbannister/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbannisterart/ 

Image Credits
Headshot credit: David M, Velasquez (Sequoia Sky Films)