We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kitami Safiya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kitami , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
I started out singing in a group with my friends in High School. Being from New York the hustle was instilled in us early. We’d burn our songs onto CDs and cell them everywhere we went so we always had money to buy outfits for shows, get our nails done and put minutes on our phones and that was a great feeling being so young. I’d say our first real dollars were earned when we traveled to the UK and toured for 3 weeks. Back then the conversion rates basically doubled your money so we were very happy. When the group ended I toured on my own and earned my first dollars as a solo artist included my first ASCAP royalties for my song “A Funeral For Love” which was placed in the film “Things Never Said” starring Omari Hardwick and Shanola Hampton. However, my most recent and unexpected first dollars came from an exhibit I curated in New York this time showcasing my talents as visual and digital artist with PHAT BLACK ART by K. Thompson. This answer is long because as an artist as long as you continue to reinvent yourself and tap into all of your gifts you’ll have many first times of making money in different ways.
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.
I was tapped into my creativity at a very early age. As a child my life revolved around singing, performing, writing poetry and drawing. I studied art in High School but was sadly discouraged by a very negative art instructor. I hadn’t realized how much her words affected me until many years later during the pandemic when there was nothing else to do but reflect and create. PHAT BLACK ART was birthed out of the challenges that came with being a new Mother in such uncertain times. The strength of a woman is loudly expressed in many of my pieces. By following my heart I was able to create a custom art and digital print company with focus on Black representation. My artwork is an expression of Black Love, community, strength and pop culture, my work makes a statement and sets the mood in any room. It is thought provoking and stylish. All of my digital work is customizable which gives my clients the option to add colors that best speak to them and best suit their decor.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Representation is a huge driving force for me. I want to see unapologetic black art featuring big black faces in spaces where you wouldn’t normally see them. I want depictions of us to no longer be considered unorthodox. I want us to be able to see ourselves. My goal is to connect with realtors and interior designers to have my art featured in beautiful model homes so that we too can picture that home being ours. I want my work to be the food for our dreams and a reminder that we belong and we are here too.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being able to express myself through art means if I have nothing else I have an outlet and I am extremely grateful for that. I had stepped away from it for so long and when I picked it back up I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s a constant positive reminder of what I’m capable of and a constant transfer of positive energy from me to others which I believe will always be returned to me. It makes me happy when I see my art making others happy. Art is my medicine and I urge everyone to tap into the creative side of themselves to have an outlet and to help find some peace. Even if it’s been some time, it’s never too late.
Contact Info:
- Website: Phatblackart.com
- Instagram: @phatblackart
Image Credits
Yves Vagery