“The World is your Oyster” — Shakespeare.

FOR Jamaican artist Kemesha Francis-Thomas, the creative force behind KfrancisArt, those five words are more than a mantra; they are a mission statement. In a world where creativity often battles convention, this 35-year-old creative visionary is cutting through expectations — literally. Known for her life-sized painted cutouts and extraordinary event installations, her work is bold, captivating, and unapologetically Jamaican. What began as quiet sketches and self-taught painting techniques has evolved into full-scale artistry. With each artistic piece Francis-Thomas brings stories to life, transforming everyday spaces into immersive visual experiences.

Raised in the cool hills of Manchester, Francis-Thomas grew up far from the traditional avenues of artistic opportunity.

“At about 16 or 17 I needed a summer job, and I walked the streets of Mandeville, offering mural and sign-painting services to schools and businesses. I did cartoon murals for nurseries and signage for local shops, and I was able to make some cash, but it wasn’t about the money for me,” she shared.

“This fulfilled me in such a way that from that early age I knew that this was something that I wanted to do in the future.”

Unlike many creatives, Francis-Thomas didn’t study art at the tertiary level. Instead she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment and Cultural Enterprise Management at The University of the West Indies, after graduating from Manchester High School. However, she knew that her environment — rich in colour, music, and people — quietly nurtured her visual eye.

“I’d go to church and find myself sketching the scenery, or I’d watch my surroundings and want to recreate them in colour. I was always observing, always imagining.”

Francis-Thomas worked in the corporate world in sales and marketing in the early years of her career before deciding to pursue art full-time.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be doing art full-time,” she expressed.

“I was used to having my nine to five and having art as a hobby. When I was 30 I started my plan to move in this direction, and for two years I worked to ensure that everything was to facilitate this transition. I was aware that it may not work out, but I was prepared to give it my all.”

Now, three years into her craft, Francis-Thomas credits her family as being her inspiration as well as the backbone of her career.

“I never thought this would be my life,” she said, reflecting on seeing her work in high-energy and culturally vibrant spaces.

“I am here doing what I love, and I give all credit to God, to the journey, and to the people who believed in me.”

As Francis-Thomas grew more confident in her skills, her style naturally evolved. From basic portraits to bold, 3D-style cutouts, she began to experiment with scale, texture, and themes. Whether working with wood, foam, or canvas, she leans into the idea that art is freedom, and this freedom to create is a reflection of success.

“Just being able to create — that’s success. I don’t need much more than that,” explained Francis-Thomas. Being featured in Carnival and working with major brands like Smirnoff and Rum Stripe has opened new doors — not only for her, but for other Jamaican artists who rarely see themselves in mainstream spaces.

“It’s surreal, because if you told me 15 years ago that I would be doing this, I would have laughed. But, now I am here and I am grateful. It shows other creatives that it’s possible.”

With several unconfirmed projects on the horizon Francis-Thomas remains focused on the now.

“I don’t get ahead of myself — I stay grounded. What I have is life and I have hands — and even if I didn’t, I’d find a way to create.”

She is currently learning how to work with new materials, including foam, and dreams of expanding her portfolio into fashion, larger public installations, and potentially animated visuals.

To the young Jamaican artists out there who feel unseen or unsupported, Francis-Thomas offers this advice: “Be yourself. Don’t get distracted by what everyone else is doing. Learn everything you can. Focus on what you’re good at, and trust that the right people will find you.”

With a jigsaw in one hand and a vision in the other, Francis-Thomas is building more than props — she is building legacy, joy, and an entirely new way to experience art, one giant cutout at a time.

Painted Smirnoff-branded wings made of playboard, created by Jamaican artist Kemesha Francis-Thomas for UWI Carnival 2025.

Painted balloons made of PVC created as decor for an event, done by Jamaican artist Kemesha Francis-Thomas.

This 12-foot painted and varnished Rum Stripe grapefruit can, made out of board, is one created by Jamaican artist Kemesha Francis-Thomas.