Today we’d like to introduce you to Khara Woods.
Hi Khara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m an artist in large part because I was raised by one. My mother is still a huge inspiration to me, especially her commitment to showing up for her practice every day. That idea of daily work has stayed with me, and one of my goals right now is building a consistent sketching habit so I’m strengthening the foundation behind everything I make.
My studio practice really took shape around 2015–2016. I work primarily in painting (often with spray paint and sometimes acrylic), alongside small wooden assemblages. I love working with wood. I love building. Even when the scale is modest, the process feels architectural to me.
I’ve also had a few chances to scale up, which has been exciting and clarifying. Through a fellowship with UrbanArt Commission and the University of Memphis, I built a 6′ x 4′ sculpture that opened my eyes to what’s possible at larger sizes. More recently, I completed an outdoor installation for the Summer Art Garden series at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, where I built two 7-foot wooden sculptures and had my op art graphics printed on patio umbrellas, planters, and the face of the museum. That was the second time I’ve been able to work at that scale, and it confirmed that this is a direction I want to keep moving toward.
Along the way, I’ve completed public art projects, including murals and crosswalks, and I’m currently in the process of designing another crosswalk. I also work as a graphic designer, focusing on identity design, logos, and brand systems. I recently finished a three-month residency at Crosstown Arts—my first arts residency. I left that experience with sketches and ideas I’m ready to bring to life next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been real stretches of struggle—sometimes as basic as getting access to the right tools and equipment and, right now, finding adequate space. I don’t currently have a dedicated studio, so I’m working from home, and I feel that limitation daily. Having the room to build, store, and safely make work matters.
Another challenge has been consistency and time management. For a long time, my rhythm looked like a sprint: I’d make a mad dash when an exhibition was coming up, then lose momentum once the deadline passed. I’m trying to shift that pattern and build a steadier practice that isn’t dependent on a looming show to get me moving.
Networking has also been challenging for me. The professional side of art often asks you to step outside your comfort zone, and that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. I’m learning to be more open—to people, to collaboration, to showing up more consistently in community. I believe that kind of connection can strengthen a career and deepen the work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Not sure if I should be answering a question here. Let me know!
List of Art Attached
1. Axis VIII, 24″x18″, 2024, Spray paint on canvas
2. Plaza III, 6″x6”, 2025, Laser cut plywood, aerosol paint
3. Pillar I, 7′, 2025, plywood, enamel, acrylic, iron
4. Pillar II, 7′, 2025, plywood, enamel, acrylic, iron
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Memphis is its authenticity. People here are earnest and creative, and the culture shows up everywhere—food, art, music, and the way people make something out of what they have. It really does feel like we’re part of one big quilt: everyone bringing their own color, texture, and pattern, and together it becomes something that holds you.
What I like least is that the city can be hard on artists in very practical ways. Public safety concerns are real, and the infrastructure for artists to live and thrive could be stronger. I’d love to see more incentives for studio space and more grants specifically for tools and production support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kharawoods.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khara.woods/
