The bright colors, bold lines, whimsical themes and happy faces evoked pure joy and happiness in Kiki Hamilton’s art and drew patrons to her booth — like butterflies to flowers — during last spring’s Artesian Arts Festival in Sulphur.
The up-and-coming Chickasaw artist showcased her “Party Animal” series that features a menagerie of colorful canines, elephants, zebras and other creatures celebrating life. Pink, yellow and bright blue dominate Hamilton’s art, but it is balanced with black and white pieces.
“I love painting with color, and I like to do a lot of fun characters,” Hamilton said.
Earlier this year, Hamilton applied and was accepted to showcase her art at the Artesian Arts Festival. Her experience at the festival was so positive, she applied and was accepted for the Southeastern Arts Show and Market (SEASAM), set Oct. 2-3 at the Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol Building grounds during Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
“The Artesian Arts Festival was my first arts festival with the Chickasaw Nation, which I was really excited to do,” Hamilton said.
To prepare for the festival, she enhanced the “Party Animal” collection, including creating a massive 4-foot pink poodle painting and two additional enormous paintings which dominated her booth at the Artesian Arts Festival.
The contemporary artist has one goal with her art: to accentuate the positive.
“I think good art kind of evokes emotion, and it’s so easy to focus on negative stuff, but I really hope that my art is evoking joy,” she said. “That is really what I want to bring into the world. I just hope that (the art) is a reminder that joy is still an available option and that you can always pick it.”
She said she hopes the “Party Animal” series inspires the viewer to enjoy every day and serves as a reminder that having fun is worth celebrating.
Growing up in Oklahoma City, Hamilton, 25, was encouraged to explore her artistic side by her father, Jeff, who is also an artist, as well as her mother, Sherry.
After finishing high school, Hamilton studied to be a makeup artist but later pivoted to paint on canvas.
To prepare for the Southeastern Arts Show and Market, Hamilton is once again in her Oklahoma City studio adding to the “Party Animal” series. “I'm focusing on a few smaller pieces. That way the art is accessible to more people.”
Hamilton will be attending the Southeastern Arts Show and Market (SEASAM) for the first time. She is looking forward to connecting with new artists and fellow Chickasaw citizens, and reconnecting to First American artists she met at the Artesian Arts Festival.
“I’m very excited to meet more artists. I’m excited to meet other people in the community, and I’m really excited to keep learning because (the Artesian Arts Festival) was a big learning experience. This time should be another big learning experience, but I’m excited to get out there and meet some people.”
Her Chickasaw heritage comes from her mother’s side of the family, she said, adding she remembers attending her Chickasaw great-grandmother Billie Menifee’s funeral and learning more about her Chickasaw roots.
Her Chickasaw mother was by her side at the arts festival, demonstrating the parental support Hamilton has experienced and appreciates.
Hamilton also appreciates the continuous support the Chickasaw Nation offers its citizens. She remembers utilizing services such as the school clothing grant when she was a student and now proudly displays her Chickasaw tag on her vehicle.
“I love the Chickasaw Nation and what they do for the community. I just think that’s so special how they include everybody,” she said.
When she is not working on art for the upcoming arts market, Hamilton accepts commissions for pet portraits and has added her whimsical characters to a few nurseries in the metro area. She has also established an Etsy shop.
A long-range goal is to create a children’s book based on her “Party Animal” series, she said.
Kiki Hamilton’s art can be viewed on Instagram at Instagram.com/kikispartyanimals.