This Is Me: Art, Identity, and Intention

Hello, I am Ka'iionna Stubblefield (Ka-onna). I am a creator who transforms identity and emotion into tangible forms—using ink, paint, and storytelling. My work is firmly rooted in Black identity, without apology. It focuses on the resilience and lived experiences of being Black in a world that often misrepresents or silences us. I view art as both a mirror and a map: reflecting the truths we hold while guiding us toward healing, self-awareness, and potential.

Art has always been integral to who I am. Growing up in Missouri, from the time I could hold a pencil, I sketched, experimented, and created worlds through my imagination. Despite facing many challenges, my drive to create never waned. In 2021, I decided to pursue my art with purpose and professionalism. This was a pivotal moment—a year that changed everything. I lost my mother, my greatest supporter and the first to encourage me to believe in my talent. Her passing ignited a deeper motivation within me: to have faith in myself as she always did. Since then, I’ve infused her spirit into every canvas. In my art, I embed a special message that was last spoken to me by my mother.

My work balances storytelling and aesthetics. It involves preserving memory, shaping identity, and creating spaces where marginalized and queer communities feel acknowledged. As a Queer Black Woman, representation is especially vital. In my practice, I blend fine art with tattoo culture—two areas founded on raw self-expression and marking our life experiences. This fusion is central to my business: a studio where art is not only seen or worn but also respected as a tool for healing and empowerment.

Winning 2nd Place in the Respect The Artist Award by the RTA Community has validated my journey, but what truly grounds me is a personal belief: the conviction that art has transformative power. Each brushstroke, each needle, each story woven into my work serves as a reminder that creativity can reclaim power, preserve history, and bring joy—even amid struggle.

This is me: an artist, a dreamer, and a woman dedicated to creating spaces where fine art and tattoo expression unite. My goal is to uplift, amplify, and give back—to establish a gallery and tattoo studio that isn’t just mine, but belongs to the community. A place where the rawness of street culture, the depth of symbolism, and the beauty of self-expression meet.

Because ultimately, art is not just what I do. It’s who I am, and it’s what I offer back to the world.