We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kena Ramírez Dillon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Looking back, it seems my life has been comprised of many risks. All leading me to where I am at the moment. One of the biggest risks was deciding to bet on myself. Growing up, I was the art kid. The one always drawing on everything. Getting in trouble for focusing my attention in class on drawing all over my work, and on my clothes. Whenever I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same; an artist. After high school, I went to college, as one does. I thought, “here we go! I can be an artist now”, and chose to go for graphic design in Denver. I was loving my art classes. Everything was going fine… until it wasn’t. My classes that had nothing to do with art? Meh. Didn’t care for them. Especially math; my brain’s nemesis. My jobs at the time? Retail at a mall store and tech support/sales at a tv provider call center. Didn’t care for either of them. At the tender age of 20, I had lost motivation. Feeling that if I didn’t do something, and do something fast- I’d be stuck. I needed a big change. So… I reached out to a Navy recruiter. After dodging his calls left and right for a few days, and thinking “damn, these people work quick..”, I was sworn in two weeks later. I joined the Navy as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, aka: a mechanic on F-18 fighter jets. I didn’t fancy myself the military type, yet I took to it well. In my almost 5 years of service, I experienced and saw things most won’t in a lifetime. F-18s had become an expensive playground. I got to work on, climb into, and all over them, almost falling off a few times haha. My hair, clothes and barracks room- home to the perpetual smell of jet fuel (which I loved), or JP-5 for women, as I jokingly called it. I still love seeing them (and other aircraft in the sky) and will forever call them my babies. My risk of joining paid off. Met people from all walks of life. Lived in many places. Received what I call “lovely parting gifts from the Navy”, aka: a bad back, bad knees and ankles, tinnitus and hearing issues. Jets are loud. The ability to fall asleep anywhere, how to deal with the unexpected, learn on the fly, a twisted sense of humor, and a camaraderie I hadn’t experienced before; to name a few. What I didn’t expect, was to meet the love of my life; a fellow F-18 mechanic. It was love at first sight for both of us. The new check-in, and my plane captain trainee at the time, became my husband (going on 11 years now). When I was months away from my contract ending, I had a choice to make; stay in or get out. We were a dual military couple, with a new baby. He still had years left on his contract, and orders coming up out of state. For a split second, I contemplated going to school for nursing. I thought it would be the best financial decision, seeing as how we were a family now. Luckily, I married someone who wanted me to choose what my heart wanted, vs what I thought I “should” choose. Taking another risk, I went back to my first love; art. I got out in 2013, and went back to school. I earned an Associates in Visual Arts from Skagit Valley in Washington, and a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP (Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning) program. Although I’ve never used them to apply anywhere, it was still the correct choice. I met amazing people, expanded my artistic horizons, and added depth to my work; in which I continue to take risks. Something that seems to be a constant in my life. However, I’m no longer alone in risks I take on. I’m blessed to say that backing me, is a husband who supports me in this path I’ve chosen. Someone who will happily look after our boys, and make our meals for the next day even when he has to get up early, so I can get some work done in the studio. His unwavering support not only eases the weight of present risks but also instills confidence in facing future challenges, knowing that together, we can overcome whatever lies ahead.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Kena Ramírez Dillon, an artist, mama, and Navy veteran. Originally from Guadalajara, or imported as I lovingly tell my husband, but have called the US home from a very young age. I’ve built up quite the artistic arsenal in my skill set. From drawings in graphite and charcoal, and paintings in acrylic, oil, and digital, to sculpture through woodworking and welding. A few years ago, I created a character named Blobby Dude, Blobby for short. Blobby was born from a moment of self-reflection, while reminiscing on a negative experience as a child. Blobby has become the main subject in my work, as a personification of life experiences and raw emotion. My work leans towards the realm of surrealism. Rooted in personal stories (from happy to dark), random thoughts, and the everyday; they’re beautifully bizarre pieces that serve as visual reflections of life’s diverse and unexpected moments. In life, we all experience challenging moments that can make us feel isolated, even when surrounded by support. Through my artwork, I strive to capture the emotions and narratives woven into these events, translating them onto canvas and sculpture. I aim to create a space where viewers can connect with my pieces on a personal level, finding solace, joy, or even a moment of levity in the midst of life’s complexities. If my work resonates with someone, if it offers them a sense of comfort or connection, if it brings a smile to their face, or even elicits a giggle, then I consider my mission fulfilled. Through the whimsical and enigmatic figure of Blobby, I endeavor to evoke emotion and foster connection, ultimately using my art as a conduit for positive impact.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I feel resilience has been with me from the start. Coming to the US at two years old. Watching my mom work several jobs (having left her dream job and family behind) to give me a better life here. Calling a women’s shelter home for a while, with my mom and baby brother as a child due to escaping a dv situation. Joining the Navy and going through the beautiful insanity that comes with it. Trying for four years to add a second child to our little family, only to find out my ovaries were near useless due to extreme undiagnosed (for over 10 years) endometriosis. Finding out two weeks before my scheduled c-section, that he has issues, and needs to come out now. Him having surgery within hours of being born. Going into stress instead of rest mode after my second c-section (the first one having its own complications). Him being in the NICU for a month, having 5 surgeries, two central lines (one which got infected), and an ostomy all within his first 6 months of life. To name a few. When faced with this question, I originally thought I’d talk about the setbacks in my career. How I have big dreams, and how I continue to persevere despite not being where I want to be yet. Reflecting on my life, that seems so minuscule compared to other things my loved ones and I have endured. I thank God and my family that I’m able to be doing what I love, and for having them in my corner. I feel that I’ve lived many lives in my 35 years. As long as my family is happy and healthy, and I can continue pursuing what I love, I’ll do my best to remain resilient in the face of whatever challenges the future may hold.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
How to interact with others after the Navy, and rediscover myself as an individual. Military life is a mixed bag, that comes with high, highs, low, lows, and everything in between. Everyone’s experience is different. Being a small part of something so big, most of your days are planned by someone else. I was used to routine. It was a pretty standard day to day, with the exception of a random bird strike, AFFF going off in the hangar at 2am, or some other off incident. On top of the routine, I (like most others) became accustomed to the way most military personnel talk. In an episode of SpongeBob, they discover swear words and call them “sentence enhancers”. They don’t call it “swearing like a sailor” for nothing, and these sentence enhancers became the cherry on top of a conversation sundae. As did a twisted sense of humor, and talking about anything/everything with a comfort I hadn’t experienced before. I was comfortable with being a hardworking goofball. Fast forward to getting out of the Navy in 2013. In my first class since getting out, I was in a room full of civilians, who I assume were mostly freshman. Not having been around this many civilians in almost five years; I got a quick lesson. We were getting ready to do a still life drawing, when someone knocked over one of the pieces. When it fell over, I giggled and said, “well now you f*cked it up!” Completely joking. I was met with silence and looks like I had just sacrificed a goat in the middle of the room. It was my first reminder of many, that I was now different. I realized I wasn’t exactly sure how to talk to those in my new environment. I ended up feeling like the loner kid, and keeping mostly to myself, with the exception of some individuals who I was able to genuinely connect with. I’ve been told by some that before getting to know me, they thought I seemed serious. In reality, I was most likely observing the situation before deciding to open up. Only to find out I’m a goofball who loves her family, art, food, and wants to use her work for good. It’s taken a while, but I’ve re-embraced myself. I work on evolving and improving at each new stage of my life, despite mistakes in my past. I feel like most of us have had to dim our light at some point in our lives. Had to not be our most authentic selves, out of fear of judgement. In a world where everything is so on display now, it can be hard to put yourself out there, and connect with those who truly get you.
Contact Info:
- Website: kenatheartist.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/kenatheartist
- Facebook: Facebook.com/kenatheartist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kena-ram%C3%ADrez-dillon-3289b911b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kenatheartist?si=sSXh9Wuypwd2mEp7
Image Credits
Kena Ramírez Dillon