We recently connected with Kia Kelliebrew and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kia, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’ve been an artist for most of my life. Ever since I was a little girl around 5 years old, I knew that art was something I loved to do. Once I hit my junior/senior year in high school, I began thinking about how to turn my love for art into a career. the idea of doing something that wasn’t in a creative capacity never entered my mind. It was art or nothing lol.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Unbeknownst to me at the time my entry into the creative world began when I was in middle school. Around 12 years old I would paint on t-shirts and denim jackets, jeans and shoes selling them to friends and family. We were not using terms like entrepreneur at the time but that’s essentially what I was doing from then on all throughout the rest of my school days.
I then went on to attend The Art Institute of Washington in Arlington, VA, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in fine arts and graphic design. When I was a junior in college, I got my first opportunity in the entertainment industry as a graphic design intern for Sister 2 Sister Magazine. I did so well that they hired me as a graphic design assistant in that same year. After graduating college, I continued to work there full-time for eight years, earning my way up to senior graphic designer. During my time there I created magazine layouts, illustrations, advertisements and even writing a few articles and covering a multitude of red-carpet events from coast to coast.
My goal when I am working with a client is to share my expertise while simultaneously bringing their vision to life. I have designed for major corporations and clients internationally from Forever 21 to Mary Kay, The Discovery Channel and more, currently creating at the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser in Washington DC as her lead Senior Graphic Designer. When my clients are happy with the end result then my job is done. I don’t think about what sets me apart from others I just be myself. Because at the end of the day that is all I can do and the best thing to do.
I am most proud of following my dreams. I am so grateful and blessed to be able to do what I love to do every day as a professional artist and graphic designer for almost two decades now. Not every one can say that so to me that is one of my greatest accomplishments. My art is showcased and sold in Arts’tination Gallery on Waterfront Street at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill MD. People come from all over the world to this place and have purchased my art.
After many years of developing my brand, Kelliebrew’s World Art, came to life once I gained more life experience an understanding of who I am inside and out. Going down the rabbit hole of learning more about my family ancestry history, traveling, experiencing other cultures and ways of life.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I want people to know that I overcame a lot to get to where I am today. Coming from Southeast, Washington DC I became a teen mom when I was just 14 years old, a ninth grader in high school. Later having another child when I was a freshman in college. It was not easy trying to juggle school, be a good mother to my kids and getting married so young all the while still being judged and looked down on by society. But by the grace of God and help from my family I graduated high school on time, earned my college degree and now living my out my dreams. I am not ashamed, nor do I regret anything I’ve been through because it made me who I am today. These are some of the things that add value to my art. Everything I paint has an underlying story or element from my life that most will never know about, but it is there.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes. I used to be a middle school art teacher, grades 6-8, for about two years. Unfortunately, the current school system and I did not work well together. However the impact I made with my students will forever have a special place in my heart. That experience is why my goal is to one day own a studio space where I can create a safe learning environment for arts education with young people in my community. I hope to be able to include other creative leaders in this space as well to share our knowledge and life experiences with our youth that may not have been available to us when we were younger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kelliebrewsworld.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliebrewsworld/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelliebrewsWorld
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiakelliebrew
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelliebrewsworld794
Image Credits
All images are by me Kia Kelliebrew