Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitara Ramsess.
Hi Kitara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My father has been a visual artist my entire life. My earliest memories are being at Jazz festivals and vending with my father. I’ve always been close with him and traveled to various shows with him growing up. I always imagined taking over his business. I always fancied myself a writer, and I had ambitions to create graphic novels, but I never took the time to learn to draw. About five years ago, I met this sister named Déja and she really inspired me. My beginning to draw began with trying to impress her. A lot of my early work was genuine self-expression attempting to say in my art what I couldn’t put into words. After a while, Art became therapy for me.
In 2017 I moved back to Los Angeles, where I’m from, and my father began teaching me the art of quilting. He began about 11 years ago working with the fabric after years of doing stein glass and mosaics. I am also a culinary artist. After becoming a vegetarian at the age of twenty, I had to figure out how to feed myself all over. In 2011 I began selling juices and herbal tonics. I was certified in holistic health in 2007. I had the opportunity to work in various vegan and raw food restaurants. So when I began drawing, I developed my The Art Kitchin. What began as events in my home attracting 25-30 people morphed into me curating large-scale events attracting hundreds of people. I’m currently moving into digital art and looking to take my quilts to the next level while also learning to tailor clothing. The places I’d love to go with this energy is endless
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?
It’s been somewhat difficult. I am a single father and have struggled with stability over the years. I have dealt with homelessness and battled depression. Have had best friends commit sucked and lose their life to the streets. I’ve had to keep myself motivated and focused on the future that I want for my daughter and me
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I began with Pen and ink collages that I colored with markers and paint pens. There’s that and my quilt work primarily at the moment. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in just such a short time. I’m most proud of how people tell me how my art makes them feel. I had no idea I would affect so many people with my feelings. I think the way my mind works is what sets me apart. I’ve been told that I and my work are both bold.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That I don’t really know what I’m doing. Like I couldn’t explain my process. I just do it.
Pricing:
- Quilts from $800-10,000
- Original Drawings $500
- Commission piece a began at $250
- Commission Quilts begin at $2,500
Contact Info:
- Email: Shinobi.dreams@icloud.com
- Instagram: Shinobi.dreams
- Facebook: Kitara Ramsess
- Twitter: Shinobi_Dreams
