We are excited and honored to announce Kenyatta Williams as the newest 2022 Kendama USA Pro! Kenyatta’s passion and dedication to kendama, blading, and helping others progress has made him a pillar in the kendama community. The San Diego native had a vision for Kendama where much like blading, you incorporate every part of your body with variations, combos, flow etc… and he made it into a reality, blending blading, fashion, technical kendama tricks, and dance through play; changing the way we all see Kendama. Join us in welcoming the steeziest kat in the game to the pro team; Kenyatta Williams.
“Kendama was so stiff to me so I approached it with the mindset to use angles, go outside boundaries, even kicking my kens! Everyday I told myself to do something i hadn’t done the previous day.”
Kenyatta continues to challenge himself and has motivated countless players not only through play, but by engaging players, organizing events, attending jams, competing, filming tricks & tutorials, judging tournaments and much much more. Kenyatta is an embodiment of what it means to be a PRO and share Kendama. We’ve been truly blessed to have Kenyatta as a part of our family and are excited for the next chapter!
“I never want to stop creating. I hope I get to spend every day being an artist.” – Madison Morabito aka Painted Bluu
Madison Morabito aka “Painted Bluu” just dropped her newest custom “The Kaleidoscope”. We took some time to talk about her life as an artist and to get to know her a little bit better.
What inspired you want to paint this design on a tama?
Painted Bluu: As an artist I’ve always tried to expand the surfaces I’ve worked on and to me a tama was the perfect challenge. Whether it be painting, drawing, wood burning. I wanted to apply my medium to this less common surface.
How many different designs have you done on damas?
Painted Bluu: I’ve done about 10 design lines since I started painting kendamas about 2 years ago, and I’ve painted countless customs!
How did you begin painting?
Painted Bluu: As a child I watched my father painting comic book strips, his talent made me want to be an artist. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I picked up a paint brush and it’s been my passion since.
Are you in school?
Painted Bluu: I’m currently a printmaking major at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR.
What drives you to create paintings, drawings, and tattoos?
Painted Bluu: The endless possibilities. As an artist your job never stops. Everyday I am inspired to create something new, something better. While I do paint and draw nearly everyday, I’m excited to begin my tattooing journey! Lately I’ve found my biggest inspirations in tattoo artist John Larsons work, and some of my favorite printmakers. I’ve been very into American Traditional style tattoo work, learning how to convert everything to that style. I also am heavily influenced by middle eastern art, I use a lot of organic shapes in my mandala works.
What’s the craziest thing you painted on?
Painted Bluu: The craziest thing I’ve painted on is either a saw or a skate deck, both were crazy sick to do! I love painting on unique surfaces!
Do you have a muse?
Painted Bluu: Right now what’s pushing me to be my best is so rise above and beyond in the tattoo community, I want to hone in on my painting skills and be able to produce perfect flash pieces.
What has to be going on while your creating?
Painted Bluu: Music for sure! Brand new and Tiny Moving Parts all day, nothing pushes me more than that!
How would you define your style?
Painted Bluu: Id say currently my style is aimed towards the American Traditional tattoo style, but overall I’ve always had a very middle eastern art style to my work. Creating mandalas are a huge passion for me. The symmetry is comforting.
What is your Pokémon go team?
Painted Bluu: MYSTIC FOR LIFE, in my free time I run every gym I encounter. Often with P0WAH0USE
When your not Painting or drawing, what are you up to?
Painted Bluu: Inmy free time I am hiking. I love being submerged in nature.
Favorite Players?
Painted Bluu: My favorite kendama players… Stephanie Lussier, she’s my favorite person on earth, Wyatt of course, and my DKT boys ❤️
What’s next for Painted Bluu?
Painted Bluu: I never want to stop creating. I hope I get to spend everyday being an artist.
We are excited and honored to announce Tj Kolesnik as the newest 2016 Kendama USA Pro! Tj is an embodiment of dedication to Kendama. His passion and work ethic can be seen in his progression from a player to a pillar in the Kendama community. TJ has been part of the Kendama community for several years. He began his Kendama journey back in 2010 while he was in his junior year of high school. For years, he has continued to hone not only his Kendama play and steeze but his skills in videography. He’s helped us share great moments and memories with the community and continues to host Kendama events around the globe.
Tj is currently a student at San Diego City College where he is dual majoring in Graphic Design & Communications. He still finds time to jam, capture amazing moments and work with kids. It’s no secret why Tj is such an inspirational and motivational figure to countless Kendama players around the world. Join us in celebrating and check out his journey in the video below.
Oh the feel good vibes of playing Kendama, listening to good tunes, and enjoying life. It feels great to release some new footage after months of running multiple events, traveling around the entire world and promoting/pushing Kendama to the limits.
’Tj Kolesnik Kendama Adventures’ takes you inside a fun filled, uplifting ride through the eyes of Tj Kolesnik and his Kendama play. The new generation of Kendama play has been up’d by many levels with new and exciting tricks, combos and flavor. Seeing all of these aspects with the growing scene in San Diego and around the nation, I had to step up my game and adjust to how the tables are turning. The tricks in this edit feature consistency and trick originality with a combination of old school and new school Kendama play. I tried to push the limits with incorporating a little bit of both, showing you in POV format how I play.
Lifestyle, travel and having fun are the key essentials to enjoying the life I live. Risk taking and making new memories comes along the way. I incorporate Kendama in my everyday life to show you the fun and fulfillment I have to wake up everyday and continue to progress.
Sit back, relax and enjoy some fun Kendama play in San Diego, California and Kona, Hawaii. I encourage all Kendama players around the world to travel to new places, continue to inspire, create new memories and explore to greater heights.
Kendama was featured today on CBS News 8; “Kendama Craze Sweeping the Country”. Thanks to CBS & Jeff Zevely for the story. You can check out the full story here or watch the video below.
Kendama USA was featured today on an ABC segment highlighting this year’s must-haves for Spring Break. Check out Angelo Villegas killing it on set with the ABC crew!
Dave Mateo is hosting a series of competitions allowing the winner of each city to get a full ride the the National Kendama Retreat this upcoming april! Here is the group photo of the San Diego competition!
Congratulations to Matthew Rigato for taking home the win!
Make sure you dont miss out on the next event going on in LA on March 29th!
For all the information you need goto SpikehardCatchlow.com
Everything is tougher left handed. Writing your name, eating cereal, using your iPhone … but especially playing Kendama. Even the most simple tricks become nearly impossible when you try it switch. TJ Kolesnik recently moved to San Diego and has been training his lefty skills on the swaggy beaches. Enjoy!
