Conversations with Kollet Hardeman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kollet Hardeman.

Hi Kollet, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a recovering drug addict alcoholic who just celebrated seven years clean in October. When I checked into rehab I was able to reexamine my life goals and rewrite my story. My hands trembled thru the detox and withdrawals so I took to drawing again in an effort to calm the shakes’. I got so engrossed in my art like I was in my childhood, days would pass. Six months in rehab and I reentered society very unfamiliar and comfortable in my own skin. So, I worked a day job and came straight home to draw all night. Time passed and I started posting pictures on Facebook and orders started to come. I was shocked and found a renewed self-confidence and passion for life that I never thought possible. I leaned in; started devoting more time to drawing, then painting then murals. It felt like a natural evolution to where I am now.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m going to be honest, my worst days now are better than my best days when I was getting high. I’ve faced the usual set back and growing pains I’m sure every business owner/entrepreneur has. Outside of that, the only obstacles that are mentionable are the ones that society has aligned for me As a female artist. I see my male counterparts earning on average 4x more than me. My social media presence has grown over the years opening the window to my studio, and with that has come a fight to be taken seriously by a large part of my male audience. At the end of the day I try to maintain the narrative that I am painting to stay clean and sober and not let any of these problems affect that. If I accomplish that, then nothing else matters.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
World renowned finger painter and pop artist, painting live on TikTok five days a week. 78 murals completed- some have become landmarks

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
None, I don’t believe in luck. Everything is done with intention, hard work and dedication.

Contact Info:

• Email: kolletpaints@gmail.com
• Website: www.kolletoriginals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kollet_originals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KolletOriginals
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kolletoriginals?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj5TDTPbSDI_LSIKSfDGuFw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kollethardeman

Image Credits:
Adieren Narro