Southwest Art’s 55th Anniversary | Brenda Kingery

BG: When did you become a professional artist?BK: In 1965 when my husband was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California, I was commissioned to do a portrait of Gen. David Grant, the first air surgeon for the U.S Air Force. The funds from this commission helped us buy a home during our next assignment in Okinawa, Japan.

BG: has Anything been A constant Source of inspiration, and have any new inspirations arisen?BK: I have always been inspired by my Chickasaw heritage and the stories of removal and identity…Also, being a young Air Force wife, we moved every three years. Moving exposed our young family to many different cultures. On our first tour of Okinawa, I studied at the University of the Ryukyus. I learned 600-year-old artistic traditions. However, the real inspiration was from listening to the Okinawan artisans as they described their family’s survivor stories. The stories of how nations survive and keep their cultures are an international theme and one of mine, too.

BG: In terms of artistic style, what has changed since the beginning and what do you continue to rely on for your artwork?BK: My painting style went from realistic to more abstract after painting the commissioned portrait. My subject matter and style have been derived from living among a variety of cultures. I use narrative symbolism to tell stories.

BG: What about for technique?BK: For technique, I use large, loose washes on canvas or archival paper. Bits of color are poured into the still wet image. As the composition starts to form, I slowly go back in with little pieces of color. I am looking for a contrast of solid colors. I use as many as seven layers for one color. I combine loose gestures with complex detail, weaving together 25 to 30 intricate lines.

BG: What are some of your proudest career achievements?BK: Being selected multiple times to exhibit at the Salon d’Automne in Paris, France. In 2007, I was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2019, I was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame.

representationOrenda Art International, Paris, France, orenda-art.com.Hunt Gallery, San Antonio, TX, huntgallery.net.Glenn Green Galleries, Santa Fe, NM, glenngreengalleries.com.Susan Calloway Gallery, Washington, DC, callowayart.com.M. A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK, madorangallery.com.Exhibit C, Oklahoma City, OK, exhibitcgallery.com.

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