Chicago Feature Focus: RickiKat

1) Tell us a little about yourself.

Otherwise known as rickikat - I got that nickname from my best friend after i made her a tabby cat and sent it to her via mail. Ever since I've been using it on my art pieces. And yes, i do in fact, love cats. I've got my own, named Chloie and she's probably the cutest cat you'll ever meet. I'm originally from pa, a small town, and I moved to Chicago right after I graduated from college. I'm an art teacher/nanny and my favorite thing to do is sit down with a little one and teach them to draw.

2) Who or what is your inspiration?
I will admit, I am a love addict. I love love, everything about it, I tend to hold onto things that I probably shouldn't aaand I'm pretty sappy...aka I'm your typical lesbian. So i get all of my inspiration from relationships, not necessarily only from people I date but between friends and family. I also take the relationships I see around me and get inspiration from that as well. I love human connection - it gives me hope. Plus I like making someone feel special, even for just a second.

3) Tell us a little about your most recent piece?

Most recently I've been making greeting cards. Simply for the reasons stated above. I love making people feel special. I love cards for no reason and letting people know how much they mean to you. The last card I made was a valentine for my valentine that had two crayons, one green and one yellow...and it said "I'd be so blue without you"...get it? because yellow and blue make green. I like to think I'm pretty clever. The last painting I made was for my friends birthday, we were sea monsters...it was based off of cat power's song 'sea of love'...because I've basically been in love with her since i met her and the lyrics state "do you remember the day we met? That's the day I knew you were my pet."....yeah. I'm a heart-breaker. but always heartbroken...apparently.


What celebrity are you currently stalking? (not literally I hope!)

What celebrity am i not stalking? Honestly. I always keep up with Tegan and Sara. I love them. Want to be them and want to date them...its a complicated situation. I like to stalk Sam Ronson, just because, again, id like to be her. Jason Sho Green is definitely my favorite artist to stalk. Artists Stephen Wiltshire and Sam Jinks will blow your mind. Now, celebrity crushes....that's a different story. Um, hello Mia Kirshner.

What's currently playing on your music player?

Nothing currently, I'm actually watching the ace of cakes, I'm a sucker for baking shows, especially those food network challenges...man. Anyway, as far as music goes I'm first and foremost a Madonna fan. I've got everything shes done. It's an obsession. I don't usually go looking for new music, my friends keep me pretty up to date. I obviously love Tegan and Sara style music...indie. however I'm currently obsessing over Florence and the Machine and my friend's band the Brothers and the Sisters out of Cincinnati, look 'em up, they're great.

What's your favorite place to go in Chicago?

It's kind of hard to pick just one place, Chicago's a great city. Am I allowed to categorize? well I'm gonna. If i have a visitor from out of town i will usually take them to the following places:

Food: Penny's Noodle Shop off the blue line
Drinks: T's in Andersonville or Five Star
Dance: Spin Nightclub
Shop: Bucktown - that whole area is great. oh, and uncle fun for the kids
Treats: Osaka smoothies and bleeding heart bakery
Museum: Shedd Aquarium

Any links?

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickikat/


Come see RickiKat at  Evil Olive February 25th!!!! She'll be selling her art work along with some other fantastic artists!

*keep a look out for RickiKat here too! She's in action and the new illustrator for Chicago's Sappho!! I'm so glad to have her on board and I know you all will love her! Her comic strip series will begin within a weeks time!!