We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kendall Marie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kendall Marie below.

Kendall, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In 2021, I had the opportunity to work with several models and dear friends in collaboration for my show “All of Me” presented at the CË Gallery in Nashville, TN. The exhibit was inspired by the shared experience of living in a female body, and was deeply rooted in my own healing from sexual assault. Initially, I kept this aspect of the show private, but working with the models prompted me to share. Just like me, each model expressed a desire to recover from trauma, reclaim their bodies, and prove to themselves that posing nude could be empowering—a chance to rewrite their stories. They all wanted to prove to themselves that if they could pose nude, they would feel safe in their own skin, and could create a positive experience while existing in a female body.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a multidisciplinary creative with a background in live music and an interest in exploring diverse mediums. In 2020, the disappearance of live music prompted me to revisit my childhood passion for painting. This artistic journey emerged during a year of experimentation when many people were trying new things for various reasons. Initially driven by curiosity, I began by reinterpreting pieces from my favorite artists on Instagram.

As I delved into visual art, I discovered a style that resonated with me—vibrant colors and a focus on body language. Encouragement from my neighbor and fellow artist, Andres Bustamante, fueled my confidence, leading me to take painting more seriously. Now, I offer a range of artwork, including large and small-scale paintings, prints, and installations featuring the female form. I’ve also ventured into embellishing vases with themes that evoke an experience of the outside world, from lush greenery and plant motifs to train car and street graffiti-inspired designs.

One of my favorite aspects of my business is creating custom pieces. Engaging in deep conversations with clients allows me to bring their visions to life. I strive to provide them with a moment where they can observe themselves in an almost extra terrestrial way – larger than life, in exaggerated colors – emphasizing and honoring their favorite parts of themselves.

My art serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. I aim to redefine the narrative around the female body, emphasizing that it can be sensual without being inherently sexual. Through the use of bright colors and specific body language, I want to shift the conversation about the female form.

In my ongoing journey, I aspire to collaborate with models embracing diverse shapes and sizes, adorned with scars, tattoos, and stretch marks—features often considered traditionally concealed or undesirable. My goal is to portray these elements as natural facets of aging and as a way to honor the stories our bodies tell.

Displaying my art at markets and festivals has been both revealing and rewarding. It’s fascinating to see the polarizing reactions my work often has. Some truly grasp the message, while others may not fully understand or wish to interpret it differently. At the core, I want my art to be inclusive, fostering conversations about the consistent experiences of women, particularly addressing subtle oppressions that many of us don’t realize until given the opportunity to talk about it openly in a safe setting.

What I’m most proud of is providing a space for these important conversations with women. The ability to ignite powerful discussions and potentially inspire change through something beautiful is incredibly fulfilling. My art is about more than superficial nakedness or shock value; it’s a vehicle for empowerment and self-expression.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of my creativity. I’m exploring the ways art can influence relationships and communication. Through upcoming projects focused on hands, I aim to amplify my commitment to creating a supportive community for open conversations about body language and the ways that we communicate and converse with one another with and without verbal language.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is having a vision come to life. Sometimes I get such a clear vision of what a piece is going to be. To see that then become something that I can hold in my hands and hang on a wall or experience in a space is absolute magic. I remember with one of my early works, “Phoenix”, I had a vision of the colors, bright orange on the background, hot pink and peach for the torso of the woman. I felt so sure in my bones that these were the colors that I wanted to use, but my mind could not get over the idea of how intense that combination would be. Despite initial doubts about the bold combination of bright orange, hot pink, and peach colors, I trusted the process. As I painted, my conviction deepened, and the completed piece, finished in a rare single sitting, became a beloved creation. Displaying and sharing “Phoenix” garnered an overwhelmingly positive response, making it one of my most popular pieces.

On the other hand, there are moments when I start a piece with zero idea of where its going. While I may have a starting point and a vague sense of where it might end, the real magic unfolds as layers compile over one another, and different shapes and micro-universes reveal themselves. It’s a fascinating and spiritually profound experience for me that translates best when viewing the pieces in person from multiple viewpoints.

My artistic process often begins with a prayer, “Please allow me to be a conduit for whatever you would have come through me. I ask that you remove any blocks I may have to receiving your message, that you allow me to move with freedom and precision. Show me what you would have me see, that I may honor you and offer it to others.”

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the chaos of 2020, when the music industry hit a wall with live events shutting down, my main gig in touring and audio was wiped off my calendar overnight. So, after a brief “vacation” phase, I noticed acgap in the market for face coverings. I’ve always been into design and expressing myself through personal style, and it hit me: why not make decorative, high-end face masks? I grabbed a pattern, fired up my sewing machine, and set up shop on Etsy, playing with sequins, feathers, fringe, velvet, you name it.

Those masks were a hit! It was a wild ride, and kept me busy when not much else was happening. Wearing something fun and beautiful during such a scary time was a small but meaningful silver lining. This whole mask-making adventure was a major pivot for me— much like my current journey of diving deeper into being a full-time artist.

Sure, the mask hype eventually simmered down as the world found its new normal. But that stint in entrepreneurship gave me a serious confidence boost. It felt like a thumbs-up for my artistic choices, and it sparked this itch to build a community around what I create. Exciting times, for sure.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmallard/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllardFineArt
• Other: Custom work inquiry email: [email protected] Shop my Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KendallMarieAllard

Image Credits
John Brown, Eugenious Productions