"A Tribute to Creative Women Everywhere"

I love the idea of taking my designs forward from line drawings into more significant pieces which I the turn into paintings.

I strive to make my paintings intriguing, without overwhelming the viewer. I hope the large bold images will draw you in, and then, instead of the traditional art rule of saving a blank space “to rest your eyes” I direct your attention around the paintings colors and details, while you “rest” on the larger bold graphic design, then back into the seemingly never-ending details.

 

I think of my images of women, friendship, and textiles as a tribute to the wonderful spirit of Reverie always present in the creative community. I feel so honored to have been a participant throughout my career.



- from Artist's Statement


Artist Bio
Kayla Kennington grew up in Silicon Valley, the oldest of seven children.
Her creative path led her from an early career in engineering, to pursuing fashion design and textile art, adding high-profile gigs such as creating clothing for such notables as Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac.

For many years Kayla enjoyed owning her own businesses, creating hand-dyed silk clothing, eventually leading to designing in the sewing industry. In addition to winning international awards for her work, she has shared her passion and knowledge teaching creative sewing techniques throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Recently, Kayla has been exploring acrylic paints and acrylic pens. She has been taking her intuitive drawings and doodles more seriously, as she translates them into bold and detailed paintings.

"Exquisite Corpse"

This body of work contains pencil and ink original art from the first two issues of my creator owned comic “Exquisite Corpse”.

Long before I began creating my own comics, I really enjoyed seeing the original comic art for comic books. The original pages revealed the humanity in the work. Notes written by the artists in the margins, the errors corrected, stains and fingerprints all made the work very real.

The printed work has an austereness that can feel unattainable, but the original work seems real and approachable - made by a real human who almost seems to emanate from the page.

My hope is sharing this work is to communicate its realness – all the fun and effort and imperfection that go into the challenging but hugely rewarding act of creating your own comic book series.

- from Artist's Statement


Artist Bio

Ted Helard is a life-long illustrator, visual storyteller and fine artist with a passion for the creative process and the immediacy of mark making. Upon his completion of his Associate’s degree at College of the Siskiyous in 1999, Ted moved to Savannah, Georgia to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design earning his BA and MFA in Sequential Art. In 2011, Ted and his wife Heather relocated to Southern Oregon where he began his career as an art instructor.

Ted has offered instruction in a variety of studio art subjects that have included visual storytelling, drawing, figurative drawing and graphic design at College of the Siskiyous, Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University. Ted is currently a full-time faculty member of the Visual Art and Design program at Rogue Community College.

In addition to teaching, Ted also spends time working with young creatives here in the Rogue Valley through a mentoring group of his own creation. This group offers challenges, critique and feedback for aspiring professional creatives in the fields of comics, animation, storyboarding and conceptual design. Ted is also a diverse and active fine artist and illustrator creating original figurative and portrait work, illustrations, graphic design, comics and sequential art.