Hair Diaries: Celebrating Hair and Gender Diversity
Name: Kelly McKernan
Instagram Handle: @kelly_mckernan
Pronouns: They/Them/She/Her
What you do, in a sentence: I’m a fine artist and illustrator creating vibrant and ethereal paintings of femme figures in surreal dream worlds.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Hair Type/Texture: Type 2 and 3
Every day is an opportunity to amplify identities, voices, and visibility in sexual and gender diversity. We celebrate the history, contributions, and wellness of community members impacted by gender-based bias and oppression. We honor and uplift the livelihood and various forms of self-expression of all genders as a spectrum — femmes, transgender and non-binary people, and women and girls all year round.
Meet @kelly_mckernan (They/Them/She/Her), a Nashville, Tennessee-based fine artist, illustrator, and OVERTONE superfan. In this chapter of Hair Diaries, Kelly shares their thoughts on what gender equality means to them and takes us full circle on their hair journey, representing an intimate piece of self-expression in celebration of their identity.
1. What does gender equality mean to you?
To me, it’s an opportunity to shine a light on underrepresented and marginalized genders and make space for their voices to be heard and appreciated!
2. How do you like to celebrate this principle?
I want to amplify the creators in my field who are trans, non-binary, gender fluid, two-spirit, and agender. Many are creating astounding works of art with a unique perspective and artistry that should be appreciated more widely!
3. How can people support you and your business?
I have an online shop where I sell my artwork, prints, and other offerings!
4. Is there anything you want to mention or highlight about being an artist and/or business owner?
It’s a very tumultuous time for independent artists like myself. I’m currently a part of the fight for regulated AI, while AI art generators are currently exploiting the work of artists just like me to unethically create “new” images. Artists never gave consent, receive no credit, and are not being compensated. The future of my career and thousands of other artists hangs in the balance as long as AI art generators plagiarize our hard work. Please support human artists!
5. When did you first start changing up your hair or feeling it was part of your overall style/identity?
I wasn’t allowed to do anything fun with my hair growing up, so I didn’t get to express myself with hair color until my 20s. I love that I can change my hair to match my ever-changing identity, and it became even more important to me in the last 5-6 years as I began to embrace my sexuality and ask myself hard questions about my gender.
6. What does your hair mean to you?
I recognize that my hair is a little bit different every day, just like me. One color fading or a hairstyle growing out is an opportunity to try new things and embrace change. My hair is a reminder that nothing is permanent, and that’s why the present is the most important place to be.
7. What is your day-to-day beauty routine? What are your essentials, and what makes them a staple for you?
Some days I want to be high femme and super stylized. I love playing with my Colour Pop eyeshadow. On other days I just stick to Bliss tinted sunscreen and pin my hair back or shove it under a knit hat. On all days, I can’t live without my Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick.
8. How does hair impact your self-expression and life in general?
It’s a huge, huge part of my identity! I love that I can change up the color on a whim, that I can cut my own bangs badly if I feel like it, and it ultimately doesn’t matter because it’s *just* hair. I’m constantly evolving, and my hair reflects that part of my personality.
9. Is there a certain hairstyle that makes you feel your best?
Over the years, I’ve developed a specific haircut that I’m still not sick of, which is basically Ramona Flowers but a little more retro-future x anime-inspired. Blunt, short bangs are a mainstay on my face. I don’t like my hair touching the back of my neck, so keeping it cropped has been ideal. The front is longer, which is the most versatile part for me. I can hide behind my hair if I feel like it, or I can pin it back for a different look.
10. Has your perspective on your hair changed over time? How?
For sure. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I went through the horrifying process of watching a lot of my hair fall out post-partum, and it crushed me because I was already struggling with my new body and self-image. After that harsh lesson, I worked to embrace that my body changes with age, hormones, and other factors beyond my control. So, I choose to control what I can with style and allow the rest to reflect my own human journey.
11. Who are some of your hair/beauty icons?
I adore visionary creators who shapeshift between styles and eras and push the boundaries of perceived beauty. Bjork, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, and anyone who is constantly reinventing themselves are hugely inspirational to me.
12. Anything else you’d like to share regarding your hair journey?
Thank you, OVERTONE, for empowering me to be extra creative with my hair color and making it so easy to do! I’ve been an OVERTONE customer since 2016!