ABOUT | Kai Kathleen

ABOUT

Kai Kathleen (they/them) is a queer illustrator, mural artist and facilitator, whose vibrant and often political work focuses on their passion for LGBTQ+ empowerment and taboo tackling subjects. They use their art as activism and aim to highlight the need for inclusivity and queer representation.

Kai has a Diploma in Art and Design from the University of Creative Arts and aims to build community, promote equality and inspire others by sharing their work online, running creative workshops in the community and working with like minded clients.

Their focuses are digital illustration, murals/window displays and impactful social media campaigns with a specialisation in typography. Their process involves a mix of mediums, mainly focusing on digital illustration but also including: painting, textiles and sculpture work.

If you'd like to work with Kai (or just say hi) please follow the links to social media or email or use the contact form here.

PREVIOUS CLIENTS INCLUDE:

Vans
Coppafeel
The UN Global Goals
Lush
Pure app
Stonewall
Astraea Lesbian Foundation
The Happy Newspaper
Scouts
The Body Shop
Audible UK
Bloody Good Period
Warwick Arts Centre
Our Streets Now
Brighton University
Osprey Electrical Vehicle Charging company
Ask Italian
The Card Factory
Not a phase

AS WELL AS BEING SHORTLISTED FOR SURREY ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2022, KAI'S WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED AND SOLD IN PLACES SUCH AS:

The Tate modern and Tate Britain
Queer circle London
London LGBTQ+ centre
New House Art Gallery
Body Talk Zine
New Ashgate Gallery

FEATURES/INTERVIEWS:

Feature in Hobby Crafts pride article here
Holly Tucker MBE's 'Best LGBTQ+ businesses to support' article here
Channel 4's programme Steph's Packed lunch pride episode here!
'Lets Talk Creative' magazine interview here
Rainbow and Co. interview here

Introducing our model for next weeks LGBTQ+ life drawing class at @newhouseartspace - Em @emmachidds 🩷

Em’s intro is: ‘I am a proud autistic lesbian, and I work for a charity supporting vulnerable women. Having struggled with chronic illness which has worsened over recent years, I have worked hard to reclaim and learn to love my hairy, fat, disabled body! I’ve always wanted to try life modelling, and as part of my 30 before I turn 30 later this year, it’s the perfect time!’

I’m so excited to have them model for us 🌈

As always sliding scale tickets are linked in my bio and message me with any questions!

Basic materials will be provided but bringing your own is encouraged. We will have a short break mid way and time to stay and socialise wa at the end if vou’d like! The space is open to all abilities (even if you think you can’t draw you CAN!)

#queerlifedrawing #lifedrawing #lifedrawings #lifedrawingclass #lifedrawingmodel #queerart #guildfordqueerlifedrawing #surreylgbtq #queerbodies
#diversebodies #surreyartclasses #surreylife

It’s been nearly 4 years of doing markets now and these are a few of the things I’d give as advice to anyone starting out (but honestly my first stall was tinyyyy and had none of this! It’s okay to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s trail and error for us all🩷)

Wholesome voice notes from some of my besties and some of the LGBTQ+ staff at @typouk on what queer joy means to us 🌈🩷

Thank you @roxie_enchanted_rose for filming and editing this! 💫

Important quotes by some important people 🩷

I’m not normally one for a lip sync but this is ANNOYING MEEE, let people be, let them explore! grow uppppp!

It’s a good thing @rualabasterr is good in a crisis because all I did is scream 🫠

The finished mural after 3 days of work! It was the best way to start pride month doing this for @typouk 🌈🪩✨

Very grateful for the lovely team who made it all happen and for the chance to create a piece that means a lot to me - I wish I could show the closeted younger me that they just made a big queer piece of art that will be public for 2 months in the biggest shopping centre in the UK! Wilddddd 🥹🫠

Thank you @roxie_enchanted_rose for taking all the lovely footage/photos of the process 🩷

#muralartist #muralist #muralpaintings #queerart #queerartists #queerartist #lgbtqartist #pridemonth2025 #enbypride #transpride #enbyartist #queerillustrator

Introducing Remi (they/them) our wonderful model for tomorrow’s life drawing class at @ldnlgbtqcentre !

Here’s some more about Remi:
I got into modelling because I love the intersection of art, movement, and presence. It’s a really unique way to be part of the creative process, and I really enjoy seeing how each artist brings their own perspective to the human form. Outside of life modelling, I’m passionate about theatre and travelling. 🎭🌍

Sliding scale tickets are being sold through the centre and are on the eventbrite (also linked in my bio)

Basic materials will be provided but bringing your own is encouraged. We will have a short break mid way and time to stay and socialise wa at the end if vou’d like! The space is open to all abilities (even if you think you can’t draw you CAN!)

#queerlifedrawing #lifedrawing #lifedrawings #lifedrawingclass #lifedrawingmodel #queerart #queerbodies
#diversebodies #londonartscene #londonartworkshop #londonlifedrawings #londonlifedrawingscene

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH 🌈🩷💫🏳️‍🌈🪩

An updated version of my yearly pride post with some reminderssss!

Other amazing queer creators/ artists to support:
@boestudio.s
@franka.uk
@hellomynameiswednesday
@studiopheebs
@emily.a.foster
@theartistedie
@conscious_euphoria
@daisyblower
@s3xtheorywithdee
@lenn.ycloud
@vanillachinchillaco
@awholeorange.matchmaking
@reallybigchimp
@rainbowandcouk
@lucasbraak
@emeryasmith
@babes_and_botanicals
@8unnyteef
@manosqueer
@leftbians
@tenderrebellions
@eli_del_belgique
@hellorosiepink
@bensaunders.art
@artistnamednobody
@marbleheadstudios
@peaceandloz
@beeillustrates
@lilydeason
@rowanfrewin
@ari_wisner
@youcancallmeaz
@meggarrodart
@koukoukreations
@weirdwednesdayuk
@rivermanning_
@takeprideshop
@queerivyart
@the_crafty_queer
@plantbasedprintss
@lilydeason
@disgaybled
@nonbinary_baps
@kelzojewellery
@littleolivedecor
@marcolooks

A few charities to support:
ukblackpride
@blacktransfoundation
@blacktransaid
@mermaidsgender
@stonewalluk
@blacktransalliance

❤️PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAG ANYMORE CREATORS/ORGANISATIONS ETC TO SUPPORT IN THE COMMENTS (this is just a v small list!)❤️

#pridemonth #pridemonth2025 #pridewasariot #marshapjohnson #blacktranslivesmatter #blackqueerlivesmatter #queerlove #queerart #queerartist #queerartists #queerartistsofinstagram #queercreatives #lgbtqrights #queerillustration #lgbtqiaplus #lgbtqiapride #prideweek #queerandproud #supportlgbt #supportlgbt #translivesmatter #transrightsarehumanrights #blacklivesmatter #transwomenarewomen #supportqueerartists #prideuk #queerillustrator #queerpride #supportqueerbusiness

I learnt about Bilateral drawing a few months ago during a shitty time and it’s helped me so much! It’s used in art therapy and is considered a therapeutic technique to help ground you and regulate emotions by engaging both hemispheres of your brain - SO cool 🧠 I love when science and art come togetherrrr

This years #menstrualhealthday is focused on a ‘Period Friendly World’ and this piece was inspired by seeing one too many reels a lil while ago showing people freaking out at the gym when they realised they’d started bleeding in public. I have definitely felt this shame when it happened to me once when I was younger but how cool would a world be where it’s not seen as gross or embarrassing - just our bodies functioning!!

#menstrualhygieneday #menstrualhealth #menstrualhealthmatters #periodswithoutshame #periodfriendlyworld #periodpositive #periodpositivity #periodsarenormal #periodsaregenderless #peoplewithperiods #endperiodstigma #endperiodshame #periodpower #periodshavenogender #queerartists

A thought recently 💭💛

#ukillustrator #illustrator #ukillustrators #queerillustration #queerillustrator #selfloveillustration #selfloveart #ukartists

Introducing our model for next weeks LGBTQ+ life drawing class at @newhouseartspace - Ev! @safespacesurrey 🦋

Ev (they/them) is a trans and LGBTQ+ rights activist and intersectional feminist, who works for an LGBT+ support charity, volunteers for London Trans+ Pride and occasionally makes jewellery. Ev is also a founder a grassroots campaign Safe Space Surrey – a network of trans-welcoming organisations and businesses in the Surrey area – the project was inspired by a trans solidarity protest in Guildford and a sign making workshop Ev ran for it. They are very passionate about community work, LGBTQIA+ education, and advocating for the rights of those whose voices have been silenced. Ev also really likes geese 🪿

As always sliding scale tickets are linked in my bio and message me with any questions!

Basic materials will be provided but bringing your own is encouraged. We will have a short break mid way and time to stay and socialise wa at the end if vou’d like! The space is open to all abilities (even if you think you can’t draw you CAN!)

#queerlifedrawing #lifedrawing #lifedrawings #lifedrawingclass #lifedrawingmodel #queerart #guildfordqueerlifedrawing #surreylgbtq #queerbodies
#diversebodies #surreyartclasses #surreylife

A lil reminder on #internationaldayagainsthomophobiatransphobiaandbiphobia that queerness is NATURAL, has always existed in nature and is the most beautiful thing 🩷🌈

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