Today we’d like to introduce you to Kit Plumridge.
After 36 years spent born and raised on South Africa’s warm east coast, enjoying an unrestricted oceanic lifestyle of sailing, surfing and artistic expression, Kit Plumridge felt he wanted something new. Something different. So, with his wife, Megan, and their two children, Tim and Carrie, in tow, Kit headed to Malibu, where, for the past 27 years he has indulged in a lifestyle of sailing, surfing and artistic expression on America’s warm west coast. The couple runs a successful drapery and window covering business and supply customers all over the USA through their website www.plumridge.com. An African history that brought this uniquely eclectic individual to Malibu’s shores remains a mystery, although the Malibu art world will forever remain grateful for his arrival. What is known is that South Africans are renowned for living dangerously, and there were many times Kit probably should have packed his bags for safer shores, but he just kept ignoring the signs.
There was his death-defying period spent in the South African army where, at age 18, he was conscripted to fight in the Angolan war. But a violent bush war wasn’t enough to scare off Kit. He also had to endure a near-death encounter with a pride of lions near the Etosha Pan while on guard duty. Then there was the even nearer-to-death experience of being chased by an angry bull elephant while on bush patrol. Just for some added adrenaline, Kit participated in daily adventures of shark dodging – a necessary skill to survive surfing in Durban’s waters. But whatever finally brought Kit to Malibu, his African roots remain firmly intact and it is these incredible life experiences that gave the world The Unstable Genius. His origin story is unlike most. His entrepreneurial drive awoke at an early age with Kit – unbeknownst to his dear mother – re-potting plants from the family garden and selling them door-to-door using his miniature wheelbarrow. His older brother, John (when not lighting fires) introduced the seven-year-old Kit to perspective drawing, igniting a passion for artistic creation that would impress on every aspect of his life going forwards.
At the age of 10, Kit attended boarding school where he survived being taught by Irish Catholic monks, but it was during his holidays on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast that Kit developed a love for the ocean that would forever flow into his artwork. After matriculating (graduating high school), Kit engineered an art show at the local library, showcasing a collection of batik images dyed on cotton featuring African wildlife. Always adhering to his life’s motto, Nil illigitimi carborundum sunt (Don’t let the bastards grind you down), he went on to develop a career in trade, becoming the first person to import pure silk fabric into South Africa after the lifting of anti-apartheid trade sanctions. Home of the brave Kit Plumridge – The Artist – truly came into being when, at the age of 36, he found himself living in the famed California, an area which effortlessly fuses individual expression, artistic passion and the ocean in a vibrant concoction. Kit had found his new home. Channeling inspiration from iconic artists Ed Massey and Andy Goldsworthy; his wife and muse, Megan; the natural world and probably even that elephant-charging experience, Kit has crafted a series of diverse artwork, revealing another layer of the artist with each new piece.
Kit paints regularly with the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains, Sea Shore and Beaches while challenging himself with painting en plein air. Most of his creative time is spent working in both oils and acrylics with his mixed media reflecting the local surrounds of his Malibu home. He opts for the least toxic oil paints, often using an austere palette limited to just six colors – with his personality coloring the rest. Seascapes and surf culture are dominant themes on his canvas and wood panels which, through unique perspective, result in a dynamic and fluid composition. His signature series of brightly-colored lifeguard towers – inspired by Massey – are a true representation of his detailed, complex style which is often photo-realistic. The incorporation of modernist Cool Neon wire in his Pier Sign Series enlivens his artwork, while he manages to remain rooted to his African origins through his creation of natural art installations using driftwood and stone.
Never one to remain stagnant – unless facing a pride of lions – Kit unleashed his alter ego, Kitonious V Plumii aka The Unstable Genius, a creator of steampunk artwork who emerges once a year. His most recent art exhibition, formulated over 18 months, features thirteen handmade musical instruments. Each instrument is paired with a torso, or head-and-shoulder vignette donned in headgear crafted from burnished and Verdigris, hand-stitched leather with natural waxed sinew. In the style of Jules Verne and HG Wells, the pieces provide a place for the female in a narrative that historically overlooked women. Images can be seen at https://kitplumridge.com/ilse-of-plumii/. The journey of this Unstable Genius is really just beginning. Kit is represented by Topanga Canyon Gallery. Reach out to Kit on 310-230-0484 or [email protected].
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Kit and Megan have practiced Yoga for more than 30 years and they both agree that life is a bit like a yoga pose. While in the asana, you will struggle with the pain in some positions, but by breathing through this pain, you usually come out the other side better off than when you entered the pose. It is the same with life struggles and having this Zen approach has made it a lot easier.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What started out as two people with a shared passion for design and color has grown into Plumridge, Inc., a company dedicated to bringing the beauty and textures of sustainable silk fabrics and Sunbrella outdoor fabrics to all forms of living environments. Kit Plumridge is a Los Angeles artist with 39 years of experience in the textiles industry. His unique combination of creative artistry and problem solving give him a keen sense of how color and form will work in a room. With a background in both public relations and color and design, Megan Plumridge keeps the company running smoothly and takes great care to ensure that customer service remains a priority.
Kit and Megan will take whatever steps necessary to help their customers achieve their vision, including creative consultations and complimentary drawings whenever helpful. Because of their exceptional customer service, they take great pride in the ongoing relationships they have maintained with many of their clients. Their latest flagship product is a custom drapery hardware system that is made with marine grade stainless steel and powdered coated aluminum, both rustproof and guaranteed for indoor and outdoor superior quality. They offer drapery rods and tracks, custom Sunbrella Cabana curtains and indoor linen and silk drapes plus make Sunbrella cushions and pillows as well as pergola shade structures like shade sails.
What matters most to you?
I think health of mind and body are of utmost importance. This is particularly evident during this Covid 19 pandemic. What good is financial wealth in the face of ill health. It is important to keep this in perspective.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.plumridge.com
- Instagram: @kitplumridge
- Facebook: kit plumridge
- Other: www.kitplumridge.com – for art website
Image Credits
ALON GOLDSMITH From his latest publication Calle “IN PLACE” – A Covid anthology of photos
