Kandi Ali-Watkins

Wymzee Art is proud to present
Kandi Ali-Watkins
(in the art world she goes by Kali)
AKA
Water Scissors Paper



Kali is a California girl originally from Northern California and still considers the Bay Area her home. She now resides in El Segundo, California. Kali says to think of Mayberry as an example. It is a very small town where everybody knows your name.



Kali has been an artist since middle school where she would write little stories and illustrate them. She also took a drawing class in 9th grade and loved it. Unfortunately, after high school she says she didn't do anything artistic again for about 10 years. Kali loves anything that is visually stimulating. She loves to cook, read, watch movies, and paint with her fingers.



Kali loves to make primitive and whimsical pieces and she is usually drawn to the same in her liking of items. Kali likes to collect angels, old books and teacups. Her favorite season to create for is winter/Christmas. She told me her second son was born on Dec. 26th. She loves everything about Winter.



Kali is currently a stay at home mom to 4 sons, ages 6-16, but worked as a social worker in her other life. She and her husband originally met as Freshman at UC Berkeley and have been together ever since. Her husband and kids are her cheerleaders. Kali often asks them for their opinion on what she’s making, and will often go with their suggestions.



Currently she is working on inspirational ornaments and wall art. She told me “I like my art to say things that are thought provoking and not always polite. One piece that I especially love is a bird ornament that reads, "dear fear, i am ending this affair". She loves it because she thinks a lot of people, especially artists, struggle with fear. Kali says life really does open up when you let fear go. Selling your art/craft is such a vulnerable thing to do. It can bring up a lot of "issues” about acceptance and rejection.  Kali has just started designing a line of rubber stamps and hopes they make their debut around Christmas.



Kali currently sells all her clay creations on etsy. She also sells paintings on etsy and ebay. She would love to teach a class someday, but hasn’t done so yet and she often donates items for charity.


Kali told me she is inspired by so many people. Words inspire her the most. Poetry (all) and the bible are her favorites. One artist who is inspiring her lately is Anahata Katkin. Her work is fearless. Kandi also a big fan of Yoshimoto Nara.




I asked her what information she would like to share to help other be successful in an online business. Kali told me, “ I would like to tell anyone starting out in an online business to take their time. It can be a slow process but well worth it. In the beginning, I stalked my favorite artists and people who do well in the business. By stalk I mean I  followed their blogs, signed up for online classes that they offered, and watched how they promoted themselves. I would also suggest researching anything and everything on pricing. Check books out from your local library, read and take notes. It does not happen over night. And lastly, be yourself.”



Two of Kali's dolls were featured in the winter issue(Jan. 2011) of Art Dolls Quarterly. One collage and two brooches will be in the Christmas edition of Somerset Studios 2011.




Please visit Kali's blog and flickr to see more of this wonderful talented artist!
Blog
Flickr