Kena Ramirez Dillon
Artist
IG: @kenatheartist | @theblobbydude
FB: Kena the Artist | The Blobby dude
www.kenatheartist.com
EDUCATION:
2017
Bachelor of Fine Arts - School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2014
Associate of Visual Arts - Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA
EXHIBITION RECORD:
2022
Hiatus due to family emergencies, January - June
2021
Delphi Invitational Art Show, Delphi Opera House Gallery, Delphi, IN
Kena Ramirez Dillon, UN³ Cincy Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH
2020
Peace Out 2020, ROY G BIV Gallery, Columbus, OH, Dec 11-Jan 2
ROY Presents: Kena Ramirez Dillon, “Blobby Dude Bares It All”, ROY G BIV Gallery, Columbus, OH, Mar 13-Apr 30
Kena Ramirez Dillon, UN³ Cincy Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH
2019
7th Annual Veterans Art Show, Atelier Gallery, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Blue Line Arts Exhibit, Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, Roseville, CA
Kena Dillon, UN³ Cincy Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH
2018
Secret ArtWorks from The Banks, The Banks, Cincinnati, OH
Veteran Art Show, Union Gallery Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
Women’s Military Appreciation Day, San Francisco, CA
Fleet Week on the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, San Francisco, CA
6th Annual Veterans Art Show, Cannery Galleries, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA
Camp Hellnback Veteran's Art Showcase, Burning Man, Black Rock City, NV
Broadway Art & Craft Fair, Monticello Library, Monticello, IN
ROBOTS: The Future is Near Art Exhibition, Delphi Opera House, Delphi, IN
Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF) Gallery Walk, Thomas Duncan Hall, Lafayette, IN
Kena Dillon, Opera House Gallery of Contemporary Art, Delphi, IN
Kena Dillon, UN³ Cincy Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH
2017
DAAP Works, Meyers Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
DAAP Sculpture Showcase, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton, OH
Catwalk, 840 Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Discipline (solo), 840 Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Tell It Slant//, 840 Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Kena Dillon, UN³ Cincy Featured Artist, Cincinnati, OH
All Star, Reed Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2016
ArtWorks 21 Candles, Lunken Airport Hangar 2, Cincinnati, OH
Floor Candy, Reed Hardwood Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
At Capacity, 840 Gallery, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
ArtWorks Teaching Staff Show, 1305 Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Greenhouse Inspired, Blue Box, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2015
100+1, Niehoff Urban Studio, “Most Gravity-Defying” winner, Cincinnati, OH
Wrong Place, Pop Up Gallery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Pimp My Chair, 840 Gallery, “Best Story” winner, DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2014
Pacific Northwest Art Blender, The Front Gallery, Mount Vernon, WA
AVA Exhibition, Skagit Valley College Art Gallery, Mount Vernon, WA
Juried Art Exhibition, Skagit Valley College Art Gallery, Mount Vernon, WA
2009
Suicide Prevention Poster, contest winner, U.S. Navy Delta Barracks, NAS Pensacola, FL
SPECIAL MILITARY PIECES:
2014
VQ-1 World Watchers, Commissioned to design the PACOM 2014 Deployment Patch, U.S. Navy, Kadena, Japan
2011
SFWPMU El Centro, Commissioned to design Command Coin, U.S. Navy, El Centro, CA
SFWPMU El Centro, Commissioned to design Chief's Coin, U.S. Navy, El Centro, CA
GRANTS & AWARDS:
2016
Dean's List, Fall semester, School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Dean's List, Spring semester, School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2015
Floor Candy, Formica show prize recipient, Reed Hardwood Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
"Most Gravity-Defying", 100+1, Niehoff Urban Studio, Cincinnati, OH
"Best Story", Pimp My Chair, 840 Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
2014
Dean's List, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA
2013
Letter of Commendation, U.S. Navy, HSL-49, NAS North Island, Coronado, CA
2012
Good Conduct Medal, U.S. Navy, HSM-73, NAS North Island, Coronado, CA
GWOT Service Medal, U.S. Navy, HSM-73, NAS North Island, Coronado, CA
2011
Letter of Commendation, U.S. Navy, SFWPMU El Centro, El Centro, CA
Plane Captain of the Quarter, U.S. Navy, SFWPMU El Centro, El Centro, CA
2010
Blue Jacket of the Quarter, U.S. Navy, SFWPMU El Centro, El Centro, CA
2009
Suicide Prevention Poster, Contest Winner, U.S. Navy Delta Barracks, NAS Pensacola, FL
National Defense Service Medal, U.S. Navy, RTC Great Lakes, Great Lakes, IL
PRESS:
2017
Featured Artist: Kena Dillon, UN³ Cincy, Cincinnati, OH
DAAP's All-Star Art Showcase at Reed Gallery, The News Record, University of Cincinnati, OH, Jan. 25
EMPLOYMENT:
Present
Kena the Artist, self-employed contemporary artist
2016
Teaching Artist, ArtWorks, Cincinnati, OH
DAAP Camp Assistant Instructor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2008-2013
Aviation Machinist's Mate, United States Navy, Multiple locations
RELATED EXPERIENCE:
2017
United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Lead artist/designer of small mural for elementary school, Cincinnati, OH
2016
Queen City Links, Girls STEAM Academy, Judge for Poster Art Contest, Cincinnati, OH
VOLUNTEER WORK:
2010-2011
Naval Air Facility El Centro Ceremonial Guard, United States Navy, NAF El Centro, CA
SKILLS:
Drawing: charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastels, conte crayon
Painting: oil, acrylic, digital
Woodworking: table saw, band saw, scroll saw, miter saw, track saw, jigsaw, disc sander, spindle sander, belt sander, drill press, domino/biscuit joiner, planer, jointer, power tools
Metalworking: American Welding Association certified Gas Metal Arc Welder, plasma cutter, grinder, chop saw, band saw, angle grinder
Welding: Gas metal arc welding (GMAW/MIG), AWS Certified for GMAW
Digital: Adobe Photoshop, Procreate
Screenprinting
Languages: Fluent: English & Spanish, Limited working proficiency: German