Meet Kenda Francis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenda Francis.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born and raised in East San Diego where I was fortunate to experience open spaces, wildlife as well as pets of many types. Responsibility for dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, birds and lambs sparked a respect and connection with nature and inspiring high school teachers encouraged an already growing interest in art and photography.

My parents were endlessly supportive and I continued studying art and animals with a BA from SDSU in painting, printmaking and photography, an MA from CSU, Chico in painting, an AS in Zoology from College of the Redwoods in Eureka and two teaching credentials from National University. I have a full-time position as an art instructor in secondary education and in addition, I offer adult art courses.

I love to travel with my husband and friends, toting heavy camera equipment and sketchbooks to primal spaces like Africa, Costa Rica, and Brazil to experience wild beauty around the globe and gather my own reference images and experiences for my work.

These travels have ultimately influenced my admiration for this varied planet and the amazing people, cultures, and spaces that are so imperative to our quality of life.

Please tell us about your art.
Because I love our delicate planet and adore animals deeply, I find it painful to witness the damaging changes in our world that make it less viable for so many creatures. I am passionately driven to create art that asks my audience to face not only the supreme beauty of animals but also the struggles they endure to survive today. I paint about animals that are killed as trophies, for their teeth, their horns, their coats, their tusks and even their fins. I hope my viewers are attracted to the “street art” style of my work while they learn about amazing, sometimes hardly known animals or plights, and consider their own connection with the non-human living world.

I show that animals are displaced by painting and drawing them in urban, graffiti-filled environments. I spray paint with multi-layered, hand cut stencils over brush strokes, paint drips, pen and pencil marks to reflect them living in human-altered landscapes. I hope viewers see and feel that animals are struggling, that they need our compassion, that we cannot continue on our path of waste and apathy. These unique creatures are the secret to a balanced system and to our own well-being and are worth preserving and taking actions to save.

My goals are mighty, to educate and inspire my audience and to create a financial stream of donations to organizations that need our support. I have donated a percentage of every work sold to Lions Tigers and Bears of Alpine California, Rhino911, World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, The Human Society and many other non-profit animal welfare foundations.

Lions Tigers and Bears of Alpine California, Rhino911, World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, The Human Society and many other non-profit animal welfare foundations.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Well, I have a full-time job in addition to being an active artist and photographer, so I would say that relying on art sales exclusively for a living is something I am working toward, but cannot do at this time. Having multiple revenue streams are how I see an artist making it, particularly in San Diego, a city where art is not necessarily appreciated and supported as in other cities. I have goals to create my own art school and cultural center, that also teaches the importance of our environment. I have an even larger dream to have an animal sanctuary that promotes artistic opportunities as well. One step at a time!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I exhibit all over Southern California from places like the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park, The Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor’s Center, The Mission Restaurant (various locations) to fabulous galleries like Sparks Gallery Downtown San Diego and Studio C Gallery in El Cajon. Some works have traveled around the world and have been included in major museum expositions. Check out my website under the events category for the latest shows. Or better yet, sign up on my site to receive newsletters and announcements of upcoming events and news. Your purchase of my work will result in a donation made to any animal welfare non-profit of your choice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kendafrancis.com/
• Email: kendafrancis@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendafrancis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KendaFrancis/

Image Credit:
Peter Francis

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