Today we’d like to introduce you to Khea Demery.
Hi Khea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Funny story, my fiber arts journey began out of spite. I was a habitual thrifter at the time, going every weekend to find the latest treasures. I’d had traveled to every neighborhood, and knew exactly which spots had the best finds. While out with a friend one day, I picked up a 1/2 done crochet amigurumi bunny, put it in my cart and kept it pushing. My friend stops me to ask, “Why in the world do you want that?”. I frowned and replied, “So I can finish it…duh?” They bust out laughing. “You don’t even know how to crochet, you won’t finish it, and it’ll collect dust in your room.” They were 100% right. I never did finish that bunny. But it did give me the push to learn how to crochet and once I started… I was HOOKED (crochet humor). I immediately began looking at patterns for clothing. My first finished piece being a simple shrug that I wore until it fell apart. From there I began freehanding. I couldn’t find patterns for the style of clothing I wanted to wear – so I’d have to figure it out on my own. Now, I have a sketch book I keep all of my patterns and ideas in. I plan on launching a crochet Instagram page to sell pieces before the end of the year! It’s been a long time in the making and I’m excited to share this side of myself.
I’m also a dancer! At first, it was terrifying. I had convinced myself that I’d missed the boat for learning to dance. That conviction wasn’t strong enough. Despite feeding myself that narrative, I found myself constantly watching dance videos, following dancers online, and having a deep urge to move. One day, that urge overpowered my fear. I stepped into my first hip hop class in March of 2023. I immediately felt at home dancing. I went every week and took multiple classes. I was determined to dance at an advanced level. A dream I had never allowed myself to dream was unfolding right in front of me. Now, I’ve taken classes with the choreographers I watched in YouTube videos, met Ciara, danced at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art, and so much more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t know that anything in life is ever a smooth road. Life always has a way of surprising us.
I started fiber arts and dance around the same time, maybe a few months apart. At that time in my life, starting was my biggest obstacle. Now, several years into both crafts, my challenges look different. I’ve been heavily reflecting on my voice. How can I show up authentically? What do I want to say? What feelings am I processing? How can I express those? Yes, I can dance. Yes, I can crochet. But what does it mean to dance and crochet as Khea? As an artist, at times we’re taught that this uniqueness we all possess is something to be found. I’m not searching for something. I know this voice already lives within me. I’m sitting and I’m listening. What am I drawn to? What lights me up? What do I avoid? Why? I desire to understand the deepest parts of myself so I can create better art. It’s a journey that will follow me as long as I make art. There will always be something new to learn about myself and the world around me. It’s a beautiful challenge to have.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In dance, my focus is hip hop. It’s the groove that’s felt most natural to me. It’s the music genre that’s followed me from childhood to adulthood. It’s me dancing in the kitchen while a Busta Rhymes CD plays. My relationship with dance extends far beyond the studio. From clubbing with friends, a freestyle session at the park, to twirling to my favorite track in my bedroom – it all informs how I move. My experiences, the spaces I dance in, and my mentality set me apart. I’ve grown to see dance as more of a mental sport than a physical one. Dance is giving yourself permission to take up space and move bigger, having the confidence to perform, and the grace to take criticism and keep going. I have a list of professional accomplishments, but I’m most proud of myself in the moments that I shut my brain off and just allow my dance and my body to be as they are. I’m so dialed into the music and the sensation in my body, that the rest of the world melts away, and nothing else matters.
In fiber arts, I’m constantly exploring. I don’t feel that I have a specialty quite yet. I make wearable art, but my style is something I plan on curating over time through my Instagram page. I’ve recently been inspired by big, bulky yarn and unorthodox silhouettes. I also add hints of my personal style into my pieces. I’m excited to see where those inspirations take my art.
I’m most proud of the set I made for my last birthday. It was a completely freehanded piece with a mix of crochet and machine knitting. I absolutely love it.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for others is to simply show up. What you show up for in your life is what blossoms.
Something I’d go back and tell Khea who was just starting out is, “You’re an artist. Always have been, always will be.” It wasn’t until recently that I started calling myself an artist. I know other creative friends who seldom refer to themselves that way. Language is a powerful tool. I wish I’d known all along that I’m an artist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheifkeeb
