Meet Durando Pinder | Artist & police officer

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

Hi Durando, why did you pursue a creative career?
Growing up for me I was brought up in a space of comic books and anime which if you look at my art now you would see the expression of inker for comics. I started with drawing Batman as a kid and progressed on in copying comic characters which I still do time to time. My primary school teacher gave me a picture of the white house and told me to draw which I did and she prescribed me to the art teacher in high school to guide me. I then continued until the next teacher took me on and placed me in art competitions, I took what I knew and understood and placed 3rd against painters using markers the other kids were not happy. But I did not care the drive continued on making me want to crush them even more, but took the advice of family members resulted in me putting it down. The voice in my head and heart called out to me which was my mother who told me stop listening to people and continue I did and though stumbling blocks were their I continued because the art got better and showed me what I had to do. While in south caicos I was dating 2 girls both broke up with me around the same time I was hurt put the pencil in my hand boom I had to continue, so much I created a clothing line island Phresh that people loved and while doing the designs I saw a picture of a model behind street art i got so frustrated they were doing it i did the impossible and created murals on the island of grand turk, this showed me my path that God had a direction for me, and the power of unknown development created the island kyd.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is self taught at first I used markers and coloring pencils, gave painting a try at young buy the art teacher told me that’s not for me. I continued to use markers and coloring pencils which got me recognized for being different I even placed in high school art category competitions in the Bahamas. I then continued and believed to not let a an opinion from a art teacher stopped me picked up the brush and painted how I would use a marker and that’s when the power of light was revealed that’s what separated me from other artist it works and looks different. The audience loves my work because they see themselves in what I do with art of island life and fish sceneries. They call me the layered artist because I can transform in art. It’s not easy being a artist I sometimes want to put it away because of all the obstacles including woman who took away all my time and the stress of the job as a police officer all pulling me down

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in the Turks and caicos you have the big city providenciales. Along grace Bay the blue bar nice for drinks it’s small but kool You have mama’s bar in the blue hills area isolated and quiet.
You gave another of Watersports available as well jet skis and scuba diving. Also while in provo visit the island of North caicos its adventurous.
On the island of grand turk you have osprey and salt rakers restaraunt along front street, you can also visit the fisherman’s paradise bar for island food it’s awesome. You cN also get island travel tours as well its quiet and kool.
On the island of south caicos you can go on fishing tours ask for ganger or Qually you will be directed right to them. Also you can ask for cow there is nothing he won’t tell you about life lol.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My drive comes from being a underdog. Although people may love my work sometimes I could see the expression in their faces as if their downing or don’t want me to succeed believe it or not that excites me because it encourages me to get better and show them you just put down one of the future G.O.A.T.S and though it may not happen I believe in my heart and speak it into the universe I will accomplish this. But alot of my drive comes from my mother who believed in me because she was a semtrist, who created dresses and suits when she was alive even when I didn’t believe in me she did. I had this habit of throwing away art if I didn’t like it and she broke me outta that habit and that brought me to the path I’m on now, my father even bought me a lot of art supplies and comics to encourage and keep the drive though he didn’t really care about my art but he tried. Right now this is my era of the point of no return because if I turn back I fail. I asked God a few times to make me a great artist but was getting no where but then I realized things take time and besides that he gave me a brush canvas and pencil so the tools already there for greatness.

Instagram: @theislandkyd

Facebook: Durando pinder

Other: @islandphresh which will change shortly