We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessea Little. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessea below.

Jessea, appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Since I’ve started crocheting I’ve noticed everytime I would present my work I would get constant questions if I actually created the work. I thought with it being online maybe there was a disconnect because there is a lot of art and sometimes hard to identify the originator. I recently had my very first pop up shop where me and my work were present and it was a very extremely interesting how and my art work was perceived. My niche is crochet which is a handicraft in which yarn is made up into a patterned fabric by looping yarn with a hooked needle. When I’m engaging with others they often continue to ask me do I crochet hair which I think because I’m a black women I have to be doing hair before I am creating fine art. During the pop up shop a few people mentioned I did not look like an artist that I looked like a model I thought to myself well why can’t someone have the ability to be both? During the remaining of the event I was constantly questioned and almost doubted about my ability of creating the work. I find it interesting as young attractive black artist why do I have to be one dimensional?

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi I’m Jessea Little I am the owner of @kutoak which is a business that specializes in custom crochet work I’m known for being innovative in the crochet community and pushing the envelope with a more modernized and sexy approach.

I started crocheting 9 years ago I have always loved art, fashion and beauty and just would be in such of awe and always knew I had a creative nature and I loved clothing. I randomly saw a crochet dress online and I attempted to make it and have never been able to put the yarn down since. Over the years I have mastered my craft and I’m happy to be apart of the fiber community and excited to continue to push and break barriers.

What makes my work innovative is that I am creating one of a kind handcrafted pieces that you would never think that could be created with crochet. I’m most proud that I have grown an audience of men and women that really enjoy my work and that support me. I’m also excited to create exposure on crochet it’s an incredible skill with so many good benefits and showing representation to girls that look like me that you can do whatever you want.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think creatives should have more spaces to get together and be creative. There should be better access to communication between artists to artists. Also easier access to more resources to create the art. Art should be taken more serious it’s important if we didn’t have it none of us would survive.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

That I inspire others and that I get to live this life being creative using it as my outlet and drive to grow in life. I love being an artist and I’m always looking forward to creating more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kutoak.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kutoak
• Facebook: @kutoak