These pieces are the physical record of navigating past and present experiences. The actual process of creating is the process of healing in record form. Some communicate the uncomfort of opening up; through color and shape, feelings felt become feelings experienced and feelings understood. Jarring color combinations trigger feelings of the artists’ experiences…some stir an uneasiness, others an electric vibration. A cross section of feelings that cannot be put into words but need a vehicle to be ex-pressed from the psyche.
“Articulation” is a body of work which uses color and abstraction to convey words or ideas that cannot be (or do not want to be) explicitly expressed, but need to be. The various works provide a space for these topics and experiences to be reflected on and worked through. Kayla McKenna uses artmaking to explore ideas that live in her conscious and nonconscious as well as in shared and unique life experiences. They incorporate abstraction and the juxtaposition of color, shape and positive and negative shapes to elicit memories, emotions and relationships, in their own style and media.
"From tall oak trees, whose branches held me," Acrylic gouache and hand cut silver gelatin print on bristol paper, 14x17", 2022
“Feral”, Hand cut photograph on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
Close up of “Feral”, Hand cut photograph on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Pink and Green #1”, Acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
"Skeeve", Acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 14x17", 2022
“Between stimulus and response”, Giclee print, 18x24”, 2022
“Her”, hand cut silver gelatin print on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
Close up of “Her”, hand cut silver gelatin print on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Seen / unseen”, Hand cut acrylic gouache painting on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
Close up of “Seen / unseen”, Hand cut acrylic gouache painting on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Compulsion”, Giclee print, 18x24”, 2022
“Pink and Green #2”, Acrylic gouache paint on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Pink and Green #3”, Acrylic gouache paint on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Invisible felt sense”, Giclee Print, 18x24”, 2022
“Jammed and Crammed”, Acrylic gouache paint on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Pink and Green #4”, Acrylic gouache paint on bristol paper, 14x17”, 2022
“Outside doors,” Acrylic gouache on silver gelatin print on bristol paper, 14x17", 2022
“Perturbation - does it seem crooked to you?,” acrylic gouache and hand cut silver gelatin print on bristol paper, 14 x 17”, 2023
“Oak Trees,” acrylic gouache and silver gelatin print on bristol paper, 14 x 17”, 2023
“Company,” Acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 14 x 17”, 2023
“Picking,” Hand cut bristol paper, acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 14 x 17”, 2023
Close up of “Picking,” Hand cut bristol paper, acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 14 x 17”, 2023
“Pink Swamp,” Acrylic gouache on watercolor paper, 16 x 22”, 2023
“Variations on habitual actions,” Acrylic gouache on watercolor paper, 16 x 22”, 2023
“They're the same but they're different,” Acrylic gouache on watercolor paper, 16 x 22”, 2023
“Alligator Tears,” Acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 17 x 22”, 2023
“Finding Faces” Acrylic gouache on bristol paper, 17 x 22”, 2024
"Saturn Returns,” Acrylic gouache on watercolor paper, 16 x 22”, 2024
“Obsessive” is a body of artwork developed as McKenna’s masters thesis project. McKenna completed her masters degree from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts in 2022. “Obsessive” is a series about obsessive artmaking and the therapeutic benefits that can come from this type of artmaking.
Artist Statement:
The works included in this series are not created with the intention of being “art”, they are created as a form of survival. A necessary part of life that brings relief; like scratching an itch that spontaneously pops up on that one part of your back that is almost out of reach. Complex, repetitive patterns pulsate from their background through bold colors. Obsessively drawing these patterns for years, over and over again made me wonder what I was gaining from it all. As I reflected on this process and asked myself why, it became clear that creating these works became my therapy. I found an immense amount of space created in my mind when I allowed myself this time to create. Spaces in my mind opened up, letting thoughts flow freely and parts of myself began to emerge that I had not met before.
I am interested in exploring these spaces and what can come from dwelling within them. When we allow ourselves access to these inner dimensions and create from them, the artwork can become abstract representations of our inner selves, our true selves. As a result of this, we get to know ourselves in an entirely new way. Repetitive and obsessive art making has become my survival, my therapy, my way of scratching that itch that keeps coming back.
"Picking", Acrylic Gouache on Bristol Paper, 14x17", 2022
"Over and Over", Acrylic Gouache on Bristol Paper, 14x17", 2022
Diptych, "Communicating with Someone Who Isn't There", Acrylic Gouache on Bristol Paper, 14x17", 2022
"Rooted", Acrylic Gouache on Bristol Paper, 14x17", 2022
"Pulsate", Acrylic Gouache on Bristol Paper, 14x17", 2022
"Habits", Acrylic Gouache on Bristol Paper, 14x17", 2022
ADHD is McKenna’s most recent body work and explores the relationship we have with medication and the way it impacts our lives on a day to day basis. The work visualizes the inner workings of our brain and body through abstraction.
ADHD, Mixed Media, 2019
“7am,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Dissolve,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Dancing Heartbeat, ”Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Structural Similarity 1,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Structural Similarity 2,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Feelings of Reward & Desire,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Structure,” Acrylic Paint, Light Modeling Paste, Masonite Board, 2019
“Routine,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Can’t,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Focus 1,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Focus 2,” Watercolor Paint, 2019
“Natural,” Watercolor Paint, 2018
“Untitled,” Watercolor Paint, Micron Pen, 2018
“Untitled,” Watercolor Paint, 2018
“Good Day,” Acrylic Gouache, 2019
“Bad Mindset,” Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Hands is a body of work that explores the similarities between the detailed hand work of a surgeon and the intricate work of paper cutting and collage. For many years, McKenna was interested in possibly studying to become a surgeon but took a different path which led to becoming an artist doing similar hand work.
Hands, Mixed Media, 2016-2017
Hand Cut Xerox Photocopy, Bristol Board, 2018
Hand Cut Xerox Photocopy, Bristol Board, 2018
Hand Cut Xerox Photocopy, Bristol Board, 2018
Hand Cut Xerox Photocopy, Bristol Board, 2018
Hand Cut Xerox Photocopy, Bristol Board, 2018
Hand Cut Xerox Photocopy, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Xerox Photocopy, Color Aid Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Xerox Photocopy, Color Aid Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Xerox Photocopy, Found Paper, Prismacolor Marker, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Xerox Photocopy, Prismacolor Marker, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Hand Cut Xerox Photo Copy, Prismacolor Marker, Micron Pen, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Hand Cut Xerox Photo Copy, Prismacolor Marker, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Hand Cut Xerox Photo Copy, Prismacolor Marker, Color Aid Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
Digital Alteration, 2018
Digital Alteration, 2018
Digital Alteration, 2018
Digital Alteration, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Watercolor Paint, Tracing Paper, Watercolor Paper, Sharpie, Color Aid Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
Digital Alteration, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Watercolor Paint, Tracing Paper, Watercolor Paper, Sharpie, Color Aid Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Tracing Paper, Prismacolor Marker, Color Aid Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
Mixed Media Collage, Xerox Photocopy, Micron Pen, Vellum, Found Paper, Bristol Board, 2018
“Color Studio” is a body of work developed from a post graduate painting class at Massachusetts College of Art and Design taught by Nancy McCarthy.
Double Primary Palette, Translucency Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Color in Human Flesh Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Color in Human Flesh Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Responsive Color Mixing - Contrasts: Value, Hue, Saturation - Color in Dark and Color in Light Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Responsive Color Mixing - Contrasts: Value, Hue, Saturation - Color in Dark and Color in Light Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
All white set up, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Graduate Final Project Part 1 Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
Graduate Final Project Part 2 Assignment, Acrylic Gouache, 2019
“Hands” is a body of the work completed as a part of The Sketchbook Project. The Sketchbook Project is located at the Brooklyn Art Library and “Hands” can be viewed in person at the library or online in their digital library.
Hands, Prismacolor Marker, Hand Cut Paper, 2017-2018
This body of work was created as a result of Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s undergraduate course “Capstone Projects” taught by artist and educator, Steve Locke in 2014.
“Just as a language is transferred from one brain to another, thoughts are sent out into the world as bursts of contrasting, optical lines. As they spread and grow they create intertwining, organic patterns. They repeat as they morph and layer on top of each other. Some thoughts are left hanging like open spaces or cuts that allow just the smallest glimpses of light to shine through so as to see and think in a new way. From a tangled mind, a visual experience occurs at the heart of language, the heart of communication and suddenly one can see more clearly.” -Kayla McKenna, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Mixed Media
Capstone Projects, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, 2014
Photocollages are a body of mixed media digital works that explore the relationship a person can have with nature. It highlights patterns and color found in nature that can only be seen and created through a relationship and a love for the mountains and outdoors.
Watercolor Paintings and Prismacolor Marker on Xerox Photocopy, Photocollages Review, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2014
Artist and professor, John Crowe, reviewing the work of “Photocollages,” Watercolor Paintings and Prismacolor Marker on Xerox Photocopy, Photocollages Review, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2014
Kayla McKenna (seen left) in review of the work, Photocollages, with artists and teachers, John Crowe, Beth Balliro and Laura Reeder, Watercolor Paintings and Prismacolor Marker on Xerox Photocopy, Photocollages Review, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2014
Kayla McKenna (Seen right) in review of “Photocollages” with artists and teachers Beth Balliro (far left) and John Crowe (middle). Watercolor Paintings and Prismacolor Marker on Xerox Photocopy, Photocollages Review, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2014
Kayla McKenna (seen left) in front of “Photocollages,” Digital Printouts, Photocollages Review, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2014
Notans are a series of four hand cut paper pieces created in the traditional “notan” style. Notan is a Japanese design concept involving the play of light and dark elements as they are placed next to each other in the composition. This series uses patterns taken from personal experiences into the psychedelic world. The shapes are an exploration of sound translated visually into patterns. After completing the initial four notans, each one was turned into a stencil by hand and then used for a spray painted piece that was on display at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, MA in 2012.
Notan, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24", 2012
Notan, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24", 2012
Notan, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24", 2012
Notan, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24", 2012
Untitled, Spray Paint, 4’x4’, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 2012
Untitled, Spray Paint, 4’x4’, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 2012
Untitled, Spray Paint, 4’x4’, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, 2012
Self Portrait is a series of hand cut paper notans. This series is an attempt at putting a visual to the internal mess of emotions and thoughts one feels during and after a state of trauma.
Self Portrait - 1, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24”, 2013
Self Portrait - 2, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24”, 2013
Self Portrait - 3, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24”, 2013
Self Portrait - 4, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 18x24”, 2013
Self Portrait Series, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, Love Your Body Show, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Self Portrait Series, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, Love Your Body Show, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Notans are a series of nine hand cut paper pieces created in the traditional “notan” style. Notan is a Japanese design concept involving the play of light and dark elements as they are placed next to each other in the composition. These pieces are an extension of the brain and eyes; a record of surroundings in a moment of life, translated into abstract shapes and patterns. Waves of information become forms and shapes, gestures and lines, creating a sea of intricate patterns that each describe a moment in time.
#1, Tuesday, September 17, 2013, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#2, Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 10:12 pm, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#3, Thursday, September 19, 2013, 12:08 pm, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#5, Saturday, September 21, 2013, 6:14 pm, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#8, Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 8:51 am, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#10, Wednesday, November 27, 2013, 11:24 pm, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#11, Thursday, November 28, 2013, 9:07 am, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#12, Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 12:27 pm, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
#13, Tuesday, December 10, 2013, 1:33 pm, Hand Cut Paper, Nori Glue, Bristol Board, 11x14”, 2013
Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Process Work for Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Close of Process Work for Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Close up of Process Work for Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
Notans 2 Series, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, 2013
