Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has bought world rights to The Gabi That Girma Wore by Sara Ackerman (l.) and Fasika Adefris (c.), illustrated by Netsanet Tesfay (r.). This picture book tells the story of how the gabi, a traditional Ethiopian blanket, is made in a celebration of weaving, community and culture. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the authors, and the artist represented herself.
ABOUT
Artist
Netsanet (Net) Tesfay is an illustrator and a graphic designer who lives with her husband and two young children in Northern California. She is a native of Ethiopia and her colorful art is influenced by her heritage and rich Ethiopian culture. Although she loves working with a wide range of materials, watercolor and ink are her medium of choice. She often uses it with her playful and whimsical characters that give nod to her background while speaking to her modern sensibilities.
Kokeb Studio
Kokeb Studio houses Net’s collection of colorful, bold and whimsical creations for everyone. Net’s signature style is beautifully depicted on products for the home such as giclee prints, posters, greeting cards, coasters, tea towels as well as flashcards for kids. The word Kokeb is derived from the Amharic language of Ethiopia meaning “star” and it represents the unique sense of style that is seen in Net’s creations.
On any given day, Net can be found creating and/or designing in her home-studio.
GALLERY
EXHIBITIONS
If A Tree Falls: Art Of The Boundary Oak
Bedford gallery, Walnut Creek CA
October 30, 2021 – February 13, 2022
Ivory Billed Woodpecker
Bird, Nest, Nature
Library Community Art Gallery
The City of Walnut Creek, in conjunction with the Walnut Creek Downtown Library, presents annual exhibitions in the Library Community Art Gallery.
2018-2019 Exhibition Season
July 24 – September 9, 2019
http://www.bedfordgallery.org/art-opportunities/library-art-gallery
Community Art Project
Big Belly Community Art Projects
Adorned Big Belly waste bins with whimsical recycled themed illustrations for the City of Walnut Creek, Ca. Artwork can be seen for approximately 3 years.
Downtown Walnut Creek Utility Box Project
Artwork featured on utility boxes located throughout downtown Walnut Creek, Ca and will be displayed for 3 years
Past and Present
(Awarded: Honorable Mention)
Resist: Frida in Pussy Hat
(Awarded: Neiman-Marcus Gift Certicate & Package)
Traveling Art
Resist: Frida in pussyhat: illustration to become a part of the World of Frida exhibition tour through the Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, Ca. The show begins traveling nationally for 3 years (2019 – 2021).
The World of Frida Tour
http://www.bedfordgallery.org/exhibitions/traveling
The Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, NY
February 3 – May 22, 2022
R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Shreveport, LA
Sept. 25 – Nov. 21, 2021
International Museum of Art & Science, McAllen, TX
March 27 – Aug. 29, 2021
Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL
https://hsvmuseum.org/the-world-of-frida/
Dec. 12 – Feb. 27, 2021
California Center for the Arts, Escondido, CA
Sept. 19 – Nov. 15, 2020
https://artcenter.org/museum/
Grace Hudson Museum, Ukiah, CA
May 23 – Aug. 16, 2020
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Museum of Arts & Sciences, Daytona Beach, FL
Feb. 22 – April 26, 2020
https://www.moas.org/The-World-of-Frida-6-16833.html
Carlsbad Museum & Art Center, Carlsbad, NM
Nov. 9, 2019 – Jan. 25, 2020
AWARDS
Grant:
California Arts Council Established Artist Fellow, 2021
COLLAB
Illustrated Free Library boxes for an Antiracist Book Initiative in Walnut Creek, CA.
Rise Up Against Racism
https://ruar.org/blog/net–
PRESS
Diablo Magazine
Little Libraries, Big Ambitions in Walnut Creek
Local artist Netsanet Tesfay designed this Little Free Antiracist Library.
Dec 24, 2020
The Mercury News
Ethiopian-American artist Netsanet Tesfay on art as stress relief, connection
June 23, 2020
Tadias Magazine
Spotlight: California-based Ethiopian-American Artist Netsanet Tesfay
June 24, 2020
Zehabesha.com
Zehabesha on Youtube
The World of Frida at MOAS
Walnut Creek, CA, Resist:
Frida in pussy hat, 2018, watercolor and ink, 22 x 18 inches
East Bay Times
Among the many highlights are Martinez artist Joy Brooms’ intricately designed illustrations and pins; Walnut Creek nonprofit Creek Kids Care with artwork made by children, the proceeds from which support the well-being of local and international children and families in need; fair trade chocolates from North Berkeley’s Xocolate Bar, owned by chocolatiers Malena Lopez-Maggi and Clive Brown; small-batch, all-organic toffees, caramels, peanut butter cups and other treats from Moraga-based Hofssi Chocolates; Curio Wolf’s nature-themed stationery and small-scale pouches featuring the watercolor art of co-owner Summer Thorton; and bold, whimsical or soulful art presented in prints, greeting cards, coasters, tea towels and children’s flashcards by Kokeb Studio owner and artist Netsanet Tesfay.
Bedford Gallery
KOKEB GIVES BACK
Small ways in which Kokeb Studio gives back creatively to the community.
A participating artist in an online fundraising effort to turn the state of Georgia blue.
The Pen and Ink Brigade
https://www.penandinkbrigade.com
Creative involvement
Walnut Heights Elementary School, Walnut Creek CA
Provide therapeutic art sessions to seniors
Aegis Living, Pleasant Hill CA
CONTACT
Let’s Get in Touch
For inquiries / projects/ collaborations / or commissions, please feel free to drop me a note
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @kokebstudio
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