Meet Desiree Kawass | Visual Artist/Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desiree Kawass and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Desiree, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
“Sometimes you just have to jump out the window and grow wings on the way down” – Ray Bradbury

…. And that is exactly what i did in 2013. I took that risk, that leap of faith and left all previous careers behind to focus solely on art. I had no plan, all I knew is that i wanted to create and so I did. I believe taking risks should be a constant in one’s life, how else would one achieve their goals? We always risk something, no matter how minuscule it is, to achieve something. At the same time, I acknowledge that there can also be consequences but we learn from those consequences and continue to grow our wings.

#dowhatyoulovelovewhatyoudo

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am loving that word, creative, more and more. That is who I am, a creative. That is what I do, I create. It is a constant in my life that is forever evolving. I find that I am always trying to create something, something artistic and aesthetically pleasing to the eye and in turn my art has taken many different avenues and roads. I paint how I feel in the moment, my subject and style are always changing and that is my art. I am not easily identifiable and that definitely has its drawbacks in the art world. Artists are mostly known by their “style” of work, a composition they have mastered that identifies them. Not me, the joy and the excitement of art was turning MY passion, MY expression, into MY reality. I took a chance and put ME first. Luckily, I was able to build a clientele that enjoyed the “randomness” of my paintings and it allowed for a variety of eclectic commissions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Of course, for all things art, Miami is high on that list. We host Art Basel in our wonderful city. For me, the Wynwood Arts District encompasses all that is needed to fulfill a multicultural immersion into art, food and entertainment. I am originally from Jamaica, my best friend is from Trinidad, this feels like home. From Little Haiti to the Caribbean market place, the creole cuisines will fill us with a taste of the islands and Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen definitely puts the icing on the cake. Speaking of cake – Zak the Baker or Fireman Derek’s Bake shop are a must to cut that sweet tooth craving! The Wnywood Brewing company for a couple local beers and then we march on to the iconic Wynwood walls. There is so much art to appreciate here, not only from well known artists, but the new, emerging, artists making their way through our streets, our walls and our galleries! One of my other favorites is the Marguilies Collection at the Warehouse, this expansive space cuddles you with works from every genre old and new, sculptures, paintings, installations, photography just to name a few. We finish up our evenings at the Sacred Space with a plant-based culinary delight from Plant Miami to fulfill our little vegan hearts. It’s Miami, it’s the melting pot of cultures and people that create this indescribable vibration throughout our city and our souls.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my husband, Fausti, who held my hand when I jumped out that window!

Website: DesireeKawass.com

Instagram: @Liveit_Loveit_Art

Twitter: @littlejamaican