Credit: http://www.knodesigncompany.com/
The depth of an artist isn't just measured by their artwork. The profundity of an artist can be seen in an artist's self-awareness,and eagerness to grow as an artist and individual. Seattle based artist Kemba Opio challenges herself artistically and intectually. She not only explores different avenues with her artwork, she also looks at her reasons to create and what inspires her. "As an artist, I create to inspire. Through my own creative process, I'm always on the look out for inspiration myself...I came across this beautiful quote. I found it to be quite profound, and will now make it my mantra. My goal is: 'Fulfill the highest, most truthful expression of yourself as a human being'". Opio has a strong sense of self and
Originally from rural Georgia,Opio is in tune with herself and the beauty of the world around her."She was raised as a holistic vegan and as a way of life; Kemba has beautifully integrated reused and found objects to each piece of work. And no matter how small and subtle these reused objects are to every piece of artwork, it is through an unexpected and surprising usage that their presence is revealed."
Credit: http://www.knodesigncompany.com/
Kno Design is Opio's "moniker as an illustrator, painter & designer creating artwork. My contemporary style of painting stems from a formal education in Fashion Design from Savannah College of Art & Design. I’m most inspired by the Art Nouveau Movement but I find inspiration in everything from small interactions with people, nature, cultures, history, all art forms, graphic design and fashion."
Having studied fashion design and minoring in painting and earning a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design,"Kemba started painting models from fashion editorials to create figurative and stylized graphic work". Opio's artwork is a stunning combination of "contemporary vintage original, using bold imagery and pairing it with a neutral palette while adding a splash of color as accents. She takes pleasure in experimenting with mixed mediums, through introducing a collaboration of silk screening on vintage fabrics to applying a mixture of acrylic and oil paints as well as pen and ink as an overlay on the material."
Credit: http://www.knodesigncompany.com/
Opio's artwork feeds the viewer's need to build and feel a connection with a piece of art. The eyes of her subjects are alive. Viewers have the opportunity to make a connection with the souls of each painting's subject. A closer look at Opio's artwork enables audiences to appreciate each element of Opio's artwork and see what role each element plays in her work.
We were excited to not only feature Opio's artwork at our LA gallery show, but also to have her at the show as a live painter.Opio won Talenthouse's ArtCrasher live painter contest and was chosen out of 110 artists from across the US. As an artist, live painting was a new experience for Opio. Audiences were captured by her work and her creative flare. She also interacted with show attendees and truly made them feel a part of the experience.Kemba’s artwork has also "been exhibited at ISIS: Women Arts Festival in Seattle, One Nine Fine Art Studio in Savannah, G.A, consecutively at the Hammond House Museum in Atlanta and received publication as a top emerging artist in 2009 by Art Business News."
To learn more about Opio and her work, you can check out her website,
