Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Millar Kendall
Hi Karen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been an artsy person. From the time I was a young girl. I began by drawing with pen and ink, moved on to painting rock star portraits in high school, and then as a creative hobby after that. I first went to college on the idea of getting a commercial art degree, but it soon became apparent that I was not good at creating “on demand”. At the same time, our family suffered the tragic death of my brother which derailed my university experience. I was pretty messed up at the time, at 18 years old, and couldn’t maintain the rigor of university studies. I enrolled at the community college, but never quite tapped back into the artsy side of my creative soul. I decided at that point that I wanted to work with teenagers who also faced challenges in their lives, and that led me to a 30 year career in teaching students with emotional and learning disabilities.
I left Michigan and came to Salt Lake City in 2002. Where I worked as a teacher, and was deeply inspired by the mountains and the beauty of the place, I felt connected to the mountains in a way that feeds my soul and brings me peace. I discovered my creative self again, and began painting.
I was able to fully immerse myself in painting once I retired, 7 years ago. I’ve done shows, arts festivals, have sold paintings, and have donated paintings to worthy causes. I find great joy in the process.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, it’s not always been a smooth road. My life has had its challenges, for sure, all of which I can say that I appreciate because they have made me the person I am, and have informed my world view.
My high school years were set in the free wheeling time of the 70s. And I certainly did not shy away from participating in all that that decade had to offer. It was a precarious time for me; I made some bad decisions, and took some paths that were questionable, and, frankly, I have to admit, was pushing limits I probably shouldn’t have. My one saving grace was my mom; a divorced mother of four. My mom sat on my shoulder, whispering in my ear “get an education, do not depend on any man”. Sage advice, for sure, and through it all, that voice kept me from crossing over a line that I couldn’t come back from. Then, when 18, my brother was killed in a car crash which was devastating for me and my family. We fractured; my mom began drinking more, I disappeared into myself and partying, and my brother and sister were pretty much left to their own devices to deal (at 11 & 13). It was a difficult time, but with the passing of time, we all persevered. Eventually, I found my path, got my degree, and became a teacher. I feel these experiences led me to be a better human, and I hope that my day to day life reflects that.
My art, now, reflects all the things that I’ve been through, but more so, the immediacy of the moment. I, too, am one of those artists that feel deeply, and am effected by the world around me. For example, during Covid, and the politics of that time, I was in a dark place and my work reflected that. Painting helps me process, find joy and beauty in the world, and gives me the opportunity to “just let go”,
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Now my work is Artist/Creative, but what I’m most proud of is my teaching career. I’m going to tell you a little about both.
I am a teacher by trade, and honestly, it is that work that I am most proud of. I know that I have made a difference in the lives of many young people. I have so many stories to tell! I just know that those kids, the kids that struggle, they just need someone who sees them, who believes in them, who can communicate to them their value, their worth, their potential, their capabilities.
One of my students wrote in her final essay, “I never knew I had a voice. After this class, I now realize that I do.” How great is that? To me THAT is what education should be about. It troubles me that the ability to teach kids to think for themselves, to have an opinion, to care about what is happening in the world, is being chipped away at in so many ways, at so many levels.
I honor our teachers, I know this is the hardest work there is.
After retiring I started immersing myself fully in my art. I’ve not been formally trained to paint, but seem to attack it in an intuitive way that serves me well. My work has evolved over the years to becoming more intuitive, abstracted and complex, most always with a nod to nature and the places and things that I hold dear. One of my most exciting moments was doing a duo show at the Downtown Artists Collective in SLC (now closed), back when I was still teaching. It was my first show, and to see my work hanging on the walls was so exciting! I’ve come a long way since then. My work has evolved, and so have I.
I paint abstractly intuitively. I conjure a place, an image, a feeling I’ve had, usually in nature, and work to capture the essence of that place, or thing. Although these pieces seem, outwardly, to be random markings, there is a method to the madness in the laying down of color, texture and movement. I’m highly motivated by color, and the existential elements of place reveal themselves as I proceed with an ultimately emotional connection to the work.
The world still troubles me, and I am especially concerned these days as we seem to be moving backward while the climate crisis is quickly moving forward. I think about those young people I taught, and think about the bright, caring, environmentally savvy kids coming up now. I have hope for the world, and hope for them, if only we can somehow keep moving forward in a positive way. In the meanwhile, I’ll pick up a paintbrush, and lose myself in a canvas.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Am I a risk taker. Interesting to think about. When people think about “risk” I think often times the mind goes to those that climb Everest, or do something obviously risky or outwardly brave. To me, I think risk taking can be something more subtle. What are you willing to risk your comfort for?
When I taught my kids, I did a long unit on “This I Believe”. The old radio program was my inspiration for this unit. For one part of the unit I had the kids think about what they believed in strongly enough that they would stand on a street corner and hold a sign declaring it. What would they would put themselves out there to declare, at the risk of others harassing them, saying they are wrong, or stupid, etc. We talked about taking risks for something that is right.
I think standing up for something that might not be safe, but is right, is the biggest risk taking of all. For example; If you see someone being harassed or bullied because of their ethnicity or looks, and you step up and say something, putting yourself in a position of being hurt as well, that’s risk taking. Or, to protest climate denial at the risk of being arrested, that’s risk taking. I think taking the morally right stand is a huge risk sometimes, especially these days.
I think I am a risk taker, but not on a high level (I’m also a scaredy cat). I believe in standing up for the “little guy” and I have done my share of protesting. I’ve spoken my mind, even when my voice shakes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karenmillarkendallart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenmillarkendallart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KMillarKendallArt
