Thomas Kit

Article by Ian Oakes
Indian Times Vol 30 No 50
December 20, 2012

If you walk into Native Creations, on the wall amongst all of the other work, there will be a piece or two that by sheer color and vibrancy, to me, stand out from the rest. The creator of those works is Kit Thomas, from Akwesasne, now calls Charlotte, North Carolina home, but has lived many places and it reflects in her work.

Thomas said, "I am from Akwesasne. Frogtown Represent!" Thomas said she has always been doing art, it's just her gift. She says, "I was naturally born with it, I think. I have always been doing art, always drawing something for somebody." In what began with drawing, Thomas now works mainly in acrylic and spray paint, but does sketch and will draw tattoos for people as well.

Thomas went to school for graphic design in Brooklyn, NY but says she wasn't interested in it. Art was her main passion. Her pieces use lots of color and images from her environment as well as her culture and background. Describing her work and what influences her, Thomas said, "A lot of what I see day to day is pretty much incorporated in my art. A lot of street, a lot of urban influences, I kind of mix the two themes together. Credit to Picasso, I think that when I was a kid that started it all."

Being in Charlotte for the last 13 years or so, Thomas mentioned that people back
home were starting to know her name, saying, "It's not like street credo I do what I
do here; I do shows and stuff around Charlotte but to be recognized back home, gives me a sense of pride."

I asked Thomas if there was anything she wanted to pass on to the people back home, and this is what she said, "I actually try to be a positive influence in my artwork I will try to add daily positive reminders on the website. I am always trying to put out a positive image. There's kids coming up to me and telling me that I love your artwork and I wanna be an artist, just keep the dream alive. I know it sounds tacky, but I'd like to pass on to
keep believing in yourself. One of my other phrases I like to tell people is it's a big world and you make your mark on the world however you want."

In addition to her art, Thomas is working on a line of clothing with native motifs and a modern street edge. Thomas said, "I love that the Internet reaches so many people and I have the opportunity to share." Thomas is on Facebook at Kit Thomas ART, and her
website is http://kitthomasart.webs.com.

Jenna Hern - Media Fashion Blogger
"House of Hawaii" Fashion Blog
Indian Time Vol 33#8
February 26, 2015

Reprinted with permission.

Kit Thomas is a Mohawk from Akwesasne, she returned to her home town from Roanoke, Virginia. This is her story. Her biggest challenge was meeting her father for the first time. If she had met him when she was a teenager she probably "would have flipped him the bird", Kit said laughing, finger in the air. Now, the time was right to connect with him. Her dad was "cool" with her in a sense that he accepts her just the way she is.

Who is Kit Thomas? A woman full of light and love. Determined to chase her artist passion and go with the flow attitude. She believes a higher power kept her going in life. "I've lived many different lives and rebuilt myself many times ill the past 16 years. "Her first life began with a body transformation. In 2010 Kit was a smoker and heavy drinker and made the decision to get sober after her Aunt Corrine White passed away. A tattoo showcased on her forearm reads "Carpe Diem" in translation "seize the day".

At the time of her transformation Kitt was working as manager at a pet food store and doing her artwork around the clock. She wanted to take the business to a new level and was at the top of her skill. Kit was getting recognized by her photographer friends who included her in a photo shoot called "Raven Locker". This nude pictorial came at a great time considering she had new found confidence in herself. Renewed by shedding her weight, she also shed emotions. Her positive outlook on life and the beauty in it is felt by all that meet her.

She woke up one day and said she no longer wanted to do her 9-5 job. All she could think of was painting. Society will tell you to conform and will praise blue collar professions. Kit was breaking the rules and felt free. "People would ask me what I did for work and said ''No, really? What is your real job?'" Her motivation carne from her weight loss and feeling unstoppable.

Hunter Down was born. Her alter ego and drag show performer braved the stage for the very first time. A friend called her up and said "Hey Kit, I have one spot open for the drag show." Challenge accepted! Kit is a self-proclaimed ham and does not shy away from the spotlight. Her alter ego Hunter was a sassy, confident, rough and rugged persona known for infamous performances as boy band heartthrobs from New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys. Less than a few months in, she was hosting the show.

What is Kit's creative process? Described as a mania, her many ideas come to mind simultaneously. Then a calm sets in with fluid movements on the canvas with each brush stroke. She can leave all mistakes in front of her and work on top of them, fully immersing herself in artistic freedom . While working on a piece, Kit's process mirrors lucid dreaming. She can live in that moment and easily return to it, with full control over the inspiration. It is in those moments where she feels at peace. She has become
more confident and secure with her talent and her work reflects that love and light.

Kit is a traveler and was educated from Pratt and Brooklyn colleges. She decided to discontinue her studies in graphic design. Up until that point she had validated those choices by not wanting to disappoint her family. Now she had reclaimed her life as an artist and Kit Thomas Art was born. She w up with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Art was her creative outlet to soothe the difficult days. She speaks of being shipped around to different areas as she grew up. Kit's Aunt Corrine provided the roots that Kit has returned home to Akwesasne to grow

K it is not a religious person but believes that something has been with her through all the struggles. Being very spiritual with the universe" 'is how she describes herself. "I've been to all kinds of churches and even a Southern Baptist Church. I walked in
on their clapping and telling everyone their evils." Being open mind ed, she gained awareness of herself among the eclectic world religions.

"Love people and love what you do!" Kit Thomas mantra to life and art.

People would look at me asking, "Are you for real? Is that real?' Kit remains true to herself by not letting others knock her down. Being fulfilled carrying out your passion is how she lives her life. This truly inspiring lifestyle is a testament to being with a dream. "A lot of situations strengthen you, you rebuild your life many times," says Kit.

Kit's new found adventurous spirit included wrestling in pudding at a local dive bar. "I told myself if I had a bathing suit in my car I would do it. I had just returned from a vacation to Myrtle Beach, bathing suit in tow. There was no backing out now." Dancing to the beat of her own drum, Kit braves any conquest.

Kit explains ,"There's always people to stomp on your dreams and you just keep going." Sobriety lifted a fog and with clear eyes she started writing her own blog on turmblr and freely shares her experiences with others. Her infectious personality is uplifting in a sense when you're rooting for Kit to never dim her lift.

Kit lived in Virginia for 2 1/2 years. During this time she credits life lessons learned about family and love. Her life there working at a co-op consisted of local hippies and crazies. "You know the conspiracy theory types." Kit laughs and explains "I would go around and round debating with a few of these folks." After a heartbreak in Roanoke, she says there's no hard feelings there and continues to move forward. That was when she decided it was time to return to Akwesasne. One phone conversation later, her cousins Randa and Marla were on a mission. The women organized for three days to raise- travel funds for the 12 hour drive.

Ready to reclaim her life and return to the family and culture she once knew, Kit was grateful. Kit reminisces about days looking in on the longhouse socials and ceremonies. "I'd like to get back over there one day and see it again and understand my culture more. Now that I am in my community of Akwesasne I want to do good and feel good."

Kit Thomas Art wants to explore textiles and mass production of a tee shirt line: She credits Facebook and Instagram for her followers and recognition. "I want to collaborate with global artists! This artist in Portland reached out to me and I am thrilled to be noticed by these inspirational people." Kit wants to be known as more than Native artist. As a designer of custom canvas shoes, fashion is within her arsenal.

Long gone are the days of painted "Emo girls," with choppy hair and an empty face. Now her work has progressed along with her self-worth as a bright vibrant colorful painting that evokes a feeling of woman who stands in her own light.

Akwesasne welcomes you and your talent. Welcome home, Kit.