Artist Profile: Kilsa Dremsa
Kilsa Dremsa is a Brazilian painter living and working in Boscobel, Wisconsin for the past several decades. She paints as life unfolds — practicing with sketches before sitting down to complete a new painting — often in one sitting. She explores emotional relationships, giving symbolism of feelings with color. Kilsa also keeps her relationship with her native Brazil close through her artwork with bright colors and natural landscapes. Kilsa’s work is currently on display at Artist and Craftsman in Madison. She is also a regular at the Dane County Farmers Market and enjoys working as a substitute teacher to assist elementary school children in art classes and childcare settings.
1) What are 2 - 3 inspirations that have supported (or challenged) your artistic growth and process in the past several years?
My enthusiasm for making art started as a girl, growing up in Brazil and watching my mother paint. I participated in several art exhibitions in Brazil, receiving many special honors. In 1999, I moved to Wisconsin. Surrounded by nature, and my wonderful husband Francisco, I painted with expressions of my life as they unfold every day.
2) How has art become an important part of your life?
I was born in Brazil in 1963. At age 13, I began to enjoy painting by watching my mother, Dolores Baganha, who is an artist too. My formal training started in a Catholic School in Brazil. I came to the U.S. for the first time in 1982, and enrolled in a painting class. I had a wonderful teacher who gave me support and strength. Later, when I returned to Brazil, I earned degrees in Social Work and Education. But my real passion continued for painting. I traveled to Paris, France to see all the art displays at the Louvre including George Pompadieu and Rodin. This experience inspired me. Then I went to Madrid, Spain and saw the work of Salvador Dali. My desire to paint grew even more with my travels.
When I returned to Brazil, I organized art exhibitions and openings for my artist friends who live in the area. I started including my own artwork in these shows. I found that I enjoyed showing my paintings. This is how I started exhibiting my work and received honors in many cities around my home state of Mato-Grosso do Sul.
I fell in love with Francisco Dremsa, a resident of Boscobel. We were married in Brazil and returned to America to live on a small valley farm in 1999. Our close contact with nature; work in the soil; and raising animals and crops opened up another dimension in my life that has nurtured my paintings.
3) What is something you hope people take away from you as an artist when they encounter your paintings?
I hope people are inspired by the creativity I use throughout my pieces. I use mostly primary colors — lots of red, yellows and blues to reflect the nature that surrounds me everyday. These primary colors also reflect my work with kids for many years. I hope people find peace from looking at my art and even feel inspired to create their own work. Painting is a way for me to express myself and my emotions. It has always been a safe space for me as a creative, as well as a way to connect humanity more with the soul.
4) What are 2 - 3 exhibitions, concerts, books, spoken word events and/or films you're hoping to check out this spring?
I am reading Caetano Veloso's biography, which I recommend to everyone. It follows the story of a musician from Brazil. I am inspired by the way he writes music. Because I enjoy consuming art in many different forms, music has been a huge part of my life from a young age. I am also going to see the jazz musician Herbie Hancock on April 3rd at Orpheum Theater. He is a member of SGI Buddhism. Having been a member since I was 23 years old, I want to support him and his music too. Herbie Hancock supports a lot of musicians from Brazil.