Meet Kemi Oyebade | Multidisciplinary Artist

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

Hi Kemi, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from Georgia, but I’m a second-gen Nigerian-American born and raised in the US. My paretnts immigrated from Nigeria to the States back in the 80s, paving the way for our family here. Since I was a kid, I’ve always been drawn to colors, lines, and shapes. You could say I saw art in everything, from clouds to funky patterns. My dad would also draw pictures in the children books he would read to me when they weren’t any. My parents also encourged my artistic side as a child by enrolling me in Art Instruction School back in the day.

I entered numerous art competitions and as I won or recieved honorable metions, my confidence grew. I know my parents didn’t think my love for art would continue into adulthood because they had aspirations of me pursuing a more traditional, prestigious career path, envisioning me as a doctor, lawyer, or politician, but I didn’t want any of that. I just wanted to be visually creative. That stuck with me even to this day. How I was raised directly impacted my desire to explore different types of visual creativity from drawing, web design, animation, illustration, and more.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Vagabond Rebel Arts Studios, VRART for short, specializes in various mediums such as 2D Traditional Animation, Motion Graphics, Illustration, Art Direction, and web design. VRART stands out from its counterparts by offering a full spectrum of artistic services under one roof. Many businesses specialize in one thing but because VRART specializes in many things it allows for repeat business and the ability for the studio to explore other new areas of creativity that it may not have had the opportunity to explore before. Clients often begin with a logo design and continue their journey with VRART by commissioning a website, explainer videos, or motion graphics animations. By delivering a wide array of creative solutions, VRART adds substantial value to every collaboration.

The journey to establishing VRART as a premier creative hub was littered with challenges and valuable lessons. Through trial and error, I honed my craft and refined VRART’s business model to ensure efficiency and client satisfaction. One crucial lesson learned was the importance of formal contracts in all business dealings. Relying solely on verbal agreements proved problematic, often leading to misunderstandings and disputes. By implementing solid contractual frameworks, both parties are protected, fostering a more transparent and productive working relationship. There are many free artist client contract templates out there on the internet that you can grab and use. I’ve been using one for about 3 to 4 years now and all I do is update it from time to time.

Ultimately, VRART’s mission is clear: to bring visions to life, collaborate closely with clients to realize their brand identities, and serve as a dedicated partner in the creative journey. Just know that VRART is Here!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Duluth area to check out all the delicious Korean foods. I’m a huge foodie from around the world and one of my favorite places are the Korean restaurants like Iron Age, Kpot, 985 Korean BBQ, etc. They also have great karaoke places like Some Pocha & Karaoke 썸포차 for fun and drinks. There’s also places in Atlanta like the Georgia Aquarium, Coca Cola World, The Botanical Gardens and such that are fun places to hang out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest shoutout goes to Yah, aka God in Hebrew. I say this because, like all people, I’ve gone through many ups and downs. There were times when I wanted to give up and just crawl under a rock and do nothing. Life can be hard, stressful, confusing, and downright wicked at times because of the circumstances and people who are in it. But when I read my Bible and pray, my spirit becomes uplifted, and I’m able to continue for another day. There are days when I’m completely lost artistically, and sometimes just reading the Word or thinking about God will give me an idea to run with—an idea that my clients love and praise.

The people who come into my life for a season or a lifetime that encourage me and give me strength artistically are put into my life by Him for a reason, not by mistake.

Website: https://www.vrartgo.com/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vrartgo/

Image Credits
Kemi Oyebade