Meet Jarvis a.k.a Jay, the newest member of the Tribe team! His quick wits and even faster hands will have yous guys blinking in disbelief. The ‘Scansin native, has been playing kendama for 3 1/2 years and first encountered kendama at school when a kid in his class pulled a kendama out and started playing it; after that Jay picked up his first Kendama a green & black Tribute Kendama and the rest is history.
Jay is constantly challenging himself and those around him to improve. His flow, consistency, and dedication to both the sport and the Kendama community are inspiring and we can’t wait to see more from him.
Watch his Tribe announcement edit below and help us welcome him to the family!
A few years back Bryan Scagline first met Jarvis and saw the potential of being a great role model and leader in the community. Not only has Jay’s skills evolved since then but he hosts jams in his home state of Wisconsin with his crew 608KEN.
“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.
Madison Wisconsin has a lively Kendama community and Kendama USA Pro Zack Yourd stopped in and hosted a couple of events.
Here’s what Zack had to say about Madison, WI:
“There is no doubt that Madison, WI is on the rise to becoming a large Kendama community. A solid crew of both new and experienced Kendama players attended each event. The amount of people who attended and the level of Kendama play was incredible. The buzz even attracted the local news to cover one of the events. The ladder competition came down to the wire but local shredder Gino G. took home the crown! I look forward to visiting again in the future.”
Yourd followed up by reporting nothing but positive remarks about all of the players and their kind/humble/skilled attitude toward Kendama. Keep a look out for more of our players heading to Wisconsin!
