Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayah Rybar.
Hi Kayah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been really blessed to be born into a creative family, so i’ve always had a lot of support surrounding all of the creative ventures i’ve embarked on. My grandparents all come from painting backgrounds so that’s definitely were it started for me, and then extended out into self expression, using whatever resources I could find from the way I would dress, do my makeup, painting, etc. In my teenage years I started doing makeup on friends, and eventually led me into do makeup and face painting for all types of events ranging from kids birthday parties to the local raves in San Diego. Over the years i’ve gone through so many different forms of art, expression and jobs that have led me to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think if you’re in a human body you’re most definitely going to face struggles no matter what. I can’t speak for everyone, but from my perspective as an artist I find myself struggling with identity, balance and more recently feeling the challenge of physically bringing my ideas to life outside of my own head and in turn hoping whatever it is, will be received well. I know that when you create, at the core of it, it should be for you but I also think it’s natural to hope that when you’re being vulnerable and open with your feelings and creations that it’s well received.
Honestly, it wasn’t until very recently that I had this realization that I just don’t feel like caring anymore… I just want to create. It’s really exhausting putting yourself in a box and thinking you have to stick to one outlet and on top of that living in this cyber world where every platform is almost like your own curated portfolio. Artists have turned into brands and it’s been interesting trying to navigate stepping out of that narrative in my own mind.
I’ve been taking myself to museums more and watching documentaries on other artists, getting really inspired by others. I’ve come across so many artists that have like a million different outlets, or the ones who didn’t even start until later in their lives but find so much joy in it that it speaks for itself. Giving myself the permission and freedom to not care and explore anything and everything without the expectation that I have to be good at any of it has really helped me so much.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My ongoing joke is that i’m a shapeshifter, but in all honestly I really resonate with that. As a said earlier, I find myself enjoying so many different forms of art.
Most people would know me as Makeup Artist, but I started out painting. After doing makeup for so many years I found myself feeling limited. When doing makeup I felt like I was able to create all of these characters for myself or others to embody, but I then I wondered what it would be like to go beyond that and create little worlds for these now real life beings to exist in. This led me into the world of production design and creative direction. I find as long as something is hands on i’m going to have fun doing it. More recently I picked up learning how to make jewelry and i’ve been having so much fun with that. It’s been really exciting fusing all of these different things together, creating a world, creating a character with makeup, clothing and now being able to decorate them with jewelry i’ve made. As far as my paintings go, i’ve been playing around more with expressing myself through poetry and the idea of fusing my words and paintings together. I’m curious to see what that will feel and look like in the future and what it could grow into.
I used to be really proud of accomplishments I made like working with certain people or getting published in editorials (and of course i’m so proud of those things and still aim for those goals) but what i’m most proud of in myself is breaking this barrier I had in my mind and just feeling free to do whatever my heart desires.
Although, I did just finish a painting that i’d been working on for about 2 years on and off, and that’s felt so amazing. Also doing Raveenas makeup this year for two of her shows on tour, I’d been dying to work with her for years so that was a cool dream come true!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
As i’ve said many times, it’d definitely have to be stepping out of this box I created for myself. Letting go of the idea that I have to live up to others expectations, that usually weren’t even there to begin with. When I create from a place of love, curiosity and self expression, I flow more easily in life. I heard something along the lines of trying to view everything as if you just landed on earth for the first time… like, have fun, let things get weird and feel all the feels, breathe, stretch and drink a lot of water.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: alienfairybaby
Image Credits
second photo: photographer – Angelica Grijalva 7th photo/Valley of Fire photo: photographer – Victoria Cunanan
