ABOUT THE ARTIST

 

Barbara Kendall Reed (B. Kendall) is the author of two art and poetry books, Life iZ Colorful and Messages from a Butterfly for Humanity, both available on Blurb and Amazon. An accomplished artist for over 35 years, Barbara has shown her art in many galleries and is included in numerous private collections.  Her style ranges from explosive, colorful, whimsical energy to somber shades of black, often including graphics and words to communicate heavier messages.  Her contradictory styles are consistent with Barbara’s diverse background.

B. Kendall was born of Creole heritage in New Orleans, Louisiana and was reared on a military base in Dugway, Utah. Barbara was exposed to diverse and eclectic environments from childhood on… By eighteen, her travels covered the United States in addition to Canada with her family. The rest of the world was brought to her through military friendships and her extensive travels as an adult.

After high school graduation, she returned to New Orleans to attend Xavier University, where she earned a BFA degree while studying under the late McArthur Genius Award recipient, John T. Scott. She also studied art history at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts where she received the Catherine Hughes Waddell scholarship. She did not complete her MFA but instead traded her studies for marriage and a move to Atlanta, Georgia where she would ultimately work for a division of The Coca-Cola family in the Human Resources Department. After seventeen years of corporate experience, Barbara had a good grasp of what gives her life purpose. Without hesitation she returned to her passion and training—art and opened up her own business which is now called Visual Images Design Studio, LLC.  Thirty-five years later, Barbara is now a well-seasoned and accomplished artist. Her curiosity about life and each person’s purpose continues to expand as her need to share grows. 

Her art has appeared in many publications including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Images Magazine, The Story, Upscale Magazine and Positive Images Magazine.  She has exhibited at the Hammond’s House Museum, Atlanta, GA., The Mattress Factory Lofts, Atlanta, GA., The Robert W. Woodruff Library, A.U.C., Atlanta, GA., the Swan Coach House, Atlanta, GA., Clay Gallery Atlanta, GA. Kathleen Coleman Gallery Houston, TX., and Stella Jones Gallery New Orleans, LA.

Barbara paints, writes, and designs and creates in her home studio in central Georgia where she finds the peace needed to rekindle her soul.  She continues to explore the whole realm of creativity through multi-mediums to tell the stories she wants to share with her audiences. Currently she is finishing up an eleven year animation project for children where she wrote the music/lyrics, created the characters, and directed and produced the video.  The project will be completed in Spring of 2025 where it will be available for purchase by companies that do project development.  For more information, please send inquiries to lifeizcolorful@gmail.com.