Artist Statement

My work is mainly in colored pencil and sometimes watercolor or oil paint. I strive to depict ordinary subjects and compositions in an extraordinary way. Colored pencils permit me to combine the expressiveness of painting with the control of drawing. I use color, line, value, shape and light to portray emotion, luminescence and rhythms in my work and my intent is that each element is reflected in one another and develops simultaneously, deepening a relationship to one another.

My art is a journey and my attachment is all about being creative and trying new things. A drawing or painting is a moment in time, a frozen piece of the thoughts, feelings and interpretations of the artist who seeks to draw the viewer into the canvas.

Personal Message

In fall of 2021 my husband and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to East Africa on safari for 14 days. We visited animal preserves in the Massai Mara, Kenya and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater areas of Tanzania. Each day we went on a morning and a late afternoon game drive and observed and studied animal behaviors in their natural environments. I was fascinated and took many photos of the animals and returned home excited to create a meaningful narrative and personalities of my subjects through my art based on these photos and my notes. However, I was also sad to learn that many of these animals are now endangered due to hunting and poaching for illegal wildlife products as well as loss of habitat due to deforestation and development.

Why did I enter this Contest? 

I am intrigued by the important work the Center for Great Apes does and care they give to their chimpanzees and orangutans. Wildlife conservation is very important to me as well as caring for our environment and our future. I was impressed by how the game preserves and sanctuaries we visited in Africa all work for the protection and conservation of the animals as well as educating communities also. As an artist I hope to portray the beauty of animals as well as guide viewers to understand respect for nature.

News

In 2018 I was asked by GMC Publications of London to write a book about colored pencil drawing. The book is titled Colour-Pencil Drawing Techniques and Tutorials for the Complete Beginner and includes basic information about how to work with colored pencils as well as ten step-by-step lessons to assist students in creating their own drawings. I am a collaborating author in Drawing & Painting Techniques and Tutorials for the Complete Beginner also published by GMC. Both books are available on Amazon.com.

In April 2023 I had a solo exhibit titled Into the Wild consisting of my safari drawings and paintings. The exhibit was at the Dodge House Gallery in the Providence Art Club, Providence, Rhode Island. I am also a guest writer for the Autumn 2023 issue of the Colored Pencil Society of America’s To The Point Magazine. The subject for the feature was my African safari trip and solo art exhibit.

I have a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA. I am a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America in two areas, also holding a second signature membership in the exploration of using other mediums with colored pencil. I am an elected member of the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club and American Artists’ Professional League both in NYC as well as Providence Art Club and 19 on Paper.

See more of Kendra’s work by clicking on the links below:

Website: https://www.kjfdesign.com

Facebook: @kjfdesign

Instagram: @kjfdesign.artist