Making It Up As I Go

I've Lived a Lot of Lives...

"I've lived a lot of lives. Artist. Drag king. Entrepreneur. Community builder. This is a little bit of how I got here." -Kit Thomas, Akwesasne Mohawk

Akwesasne, NY '25

Hi, I'm Kit.

I've been making art for as long as I can remember.

I grew up in on the Rez, Upstate NY, Canada, and New Jersey, but some of my earliest art memories happened in New York City. Every trip felt like an adventure. I was fascinated by graffiti, murals, stickers, and all the artwork hiding in plain sight.

Then I discovered Basquiat.

Something clicked.

I remember thinking, "Wait... art can look like this?"

It didn't have to be perfect. It could be messy, loud, layered, and full of feeling.

That stuck with me.

Later, I studied Graphic Design at Pratt in Brooklyn. Then, like many people chasing a dream, I packed up and headed to California.

Looking back, I wasn't just learning how to be an artist. I was learning how to be myself.

I spent years performing, creating, meeting people, making mistakes, starting over, and figuring things out as I went.

Honestly, I think that's where most of the good stuff comes from.

Not the perfect moments.

The real ones.

In 2019, I moved back home to New York (Akwesasne Mohawk Territory) to be closer to family. Coming back gave me a chance to reconnect with my community.

These days, my work is influenced by a little bit of everything I've experienced. Growing up between places. Being Kanien'kehá:ka. Being Two-Spirit. Running a small art business. Showing up for community. Trying things that don't always work.

I joke that my art is basically my life with paint on it. "I mean Shit! I even sleep and eat on my work"

Some are heavy while others are just "pretty".

Some start with a random doodle.

One thing I've learned is that art creates conversations.

'I've met people at gallery shows, vendor tables, workshops, museums, coffee shops, and community events whose stories still stick with me today. Some of the greatest gifts from this journey haven't been awards or opportunities. They've been the people. Complete strangers have offered me a couch to sleep on, shared a meal, introduced me to someone new, or simply shown up with kindness when I needed it. Those moments remind me that art is really about connection, and I'm grateful for every person who's been part of the ride.

So whether you've been following my work for years or just stumbled onto this website today, welcome.

Maybe you'll find a piece of your own story here too. xoxo -KIT

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