About The Artist

A curated glimpse into Khaatia’s visual world—performances, exhibitions, workshops, and creative moments that illuminate her evolving artistic story.

A curated glimpse into my artistic evolution across mediums.

Art has been my first language since childhood. What began as quiet expression—drawing, choreography, color, rhythm, and curiosity—has grown into a 28-year multidisciplinary practice rooted in painting, poetry, culinary storytelling, movement, worldbuilding, and community-centered creativity.

I was born on Chicago’s South Side and shaped by the cultural worlds of Brooklyn and my early years in Madison. Each place left its own imprint—Chicago gave me depth and Afro-centered storytelling, Brooklyn sharpened my artistic voice, and Madison introduced me to Southeast Asian culture, which still influences the visual languages and narrative worlds I create.

My current body of work, Lotus Dynasty, explores where African American and Asian lineages meet across timelines. Through scrolls, painting, symbolism, and character-driven narratives, I’m building a universe inspired by ancestral memory, cultural hybridity, and the imaginative landscapes that shaped me as a child.

As an author, I made history when Big Mama Mae’s Plant-Based Kitchen™ became the first plant-based cookbook accepted into the Eastside Santa Barbara Public Library, later selected for the Central Library’s LEAF Program to support cultural and health literacy.

My work has been featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara and in multiple publications and creative platforms. A 2025 workshop with the museum grew into an ongoing relationship that continues to influence the way I share my art and storytelling.

Today, my practice expands through visual storytelling, culinary artistry, worldbuilding, and the evolving ecosystems of Lotus Dynasty, Big Mama Mae’s, and The Blooming Philosophy. Everything I create honors where I’ve been, who I’m becoming, and the new worlds I feel called to build.

I partner with individuals, organizations, and institutions seeking thoughtful, heart-led creative direction. Rooted in art, wellness, storytelling, and intentional design, my creative consulting supports work that values balance, depth, and meaningful connection. While I collaborate on projects, my work also centers on helping people move from burnout back into creativity- inviting creative renewal not only in their work, but in daily life.