Things made by Kai Margarida-Ramirez de Arellano

It has begun! I like to sneak a peek At the back to see how it's turning out.

"Papercuts and Pinpricks" Opens on June 7th!

05/29/2012

Hello art friends!

You are cordially invited to the opening reception of "Papercuts and Pinpricks", an exhibition featuring new works by Kai Margarida-Ramirez and Gwen Shockey. Through the mediums of drawing, paper cutting, and embroidery, this show provides two unique perspectives on sexuality, politics, and women's bodies while redefining the role of craft mediums in
modern art.

Kai Margarida-Ramirez (www.kaicita.com) is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she learned papel picado, the Mexican folk tradition of paper cutting. Her paper cutting and embroidery reveal a unique border aesthetic and thematic perspective. Always with a sense of wit and irony, her
delicate work examines sexuality, popular culture, her family history and her own experience of walking the line between cultures.

Gwen (www.gwenshockey.com) is from central New Jersey and currently lives in Harlem in New York City. Her artwork explores layers of subversive sexuality and urban anxiety through personal, political narrative and symbolic imagery. New work shown in "Papercuts and Pinpricks" utilizes the traditional craft technique embroidery as a mechanism of upholding
ownership of the self and a means toward the protection of the female body
from exploitation.

OPENING RECEPTION:
Thursday, June 7th, 2012
7pm-11pm
Featuring Guest DJ Silent J
Artwork for sale by the artists.

The Walkway at reBar
147 Front Street
DUMBO, Brooklyn

F train to York St.
A or C train to High St.
2 or 3 train to Clark St.

I hope to see you all there!

Craftacular: Check!

04/17/2012

This is my table! See all my paper cuts in the print rack? I displayed the embroidery in little cigar and card boxes so people could flip through them. I also had some greeting cards and framed paper cuts for sale.

I have popped my Craft Fair Cherry, and it was all they said it would be ;)

Even though it required a lot of preparation, I was so happy to be part of Bust Magazine Craftacular and Food Fair. I went to the same event last Spring and knew that my work would fit right in with the other merchandise. The vibe is super fun and laid back, and it attracts a great group of people with creative ideas. I had the pleasure of meeting other awesome vendors and even made a fantastic trade with one at the end of the day.

It was a great opportunity to see what pieces people were more drawn to so I can follow that in the future, and to see how the pricing ranges worked for everybody. Thankfully, I did plenty of research on how to prepare for a craft fair, so I had all the supplies I needed. My wonderful and supportive boyfriend helped me carry everything over in the morning and at closing--very important for a vertically challenged girl like me. The whole experience was a super positive and fun, and I will definitely do it again.

But best of all, I had the pleasure of making people laugh with my embroidery! I had so much fun talking to people about Downton Abbey and our favorite Kanye lyrics... seriously folks, these are the things friendships are based on. Thanks to every

3rd Ward: Where the Magic Happens

03/19/2012

I love 3rd Ward. It's a little slice of artist heaven in the middle of a semi-sketchy part of Brooklyn. I started taking classes there right after quitting a horrible restaurant job and I was seeking a creative outlet. And really, it offers such an amazing variety of classes on different artistic disciplines, skills, and more. The classes I've taken there have truly enhanced my artistic skills and exposed me to new techniques and great people. I am a big fan. And apparently the feeling is mutual. Check out my little exposé on the 3rd Ward blog! It's well written and I'm so honored to have been interviewed for their blog. I highly recommend this place for all your creative and intellectual needs. Also, I'm super stoked that they like my Downton Abbey embroidery! Woohoo!

BUST Magazine Craftacular, NYC April 14th!

03/15/2012

Yup, I'm doing my first ever craft show! Bust Magazine's bi-annual Craftacular! Super excited and nervous about making enough things to sell.
But you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be selling my Downton Abbey embroidery, as well as embroidery about my other favorite TV show, Parks and Recreation. Also embroidered: Kanye West lyrics. And of course you can expect to see my paper cuts and greeting cards printed of these cuts.

I'm so excited to be part of Craftacular. I went last spring and I was astounded by the quality and variety of artists and vendors. I hope I can hold my own!

Creative Blocks: Interview with The Wall Breakers

02/29/2012

It happens to me pretty often, I hate to admit. That horrible feeling when you have a project but it just won't come out of you. Sometimes you hit a wall at the beginning. Often it happens in the middle of a project and you question whether all the work you put in has lead you to a dead end. Do you forge ahead until you make it work? Do you move on to something else? How do you deal with a creative block?

In this interview I discuss my creative process and what I do when I hit a creative wall.

Thanks very much to Matt Weckel of The Wall Breakers for the opportunity to be a part of their website!

Downton Abbey: My main squeaze

02/29/2012

Yes I am obsessed with Downton Abbey, along with every other woman with a television and fondness for costume dramas. I am so obsessed, in fact, that I want to live in the Downton Abbey world all day, every day. One episode a week is simply not enough. And now that season 2 is over, I have to find new ways to get my fix.

Enter my embroidery hobby. The two seem to be made for each other. I remember a scene in which Lady Grantham is embroidering while talking to Lord Grantham, which makes me even more certain that this is a terrific idea.

So here you go, Part I of my Downton Abbey embroidery series. I hope it helps to fill that hole left in your life since the end of last season.

What do you think about adding a quote in there? Would it mess it up?

"Don't be defeatest, dear, it's very middle class."

More to come very very soon!

Lots of love,

Kai

What Up Boise! Part II

02/16/2012