Kendall-Leigh Nash

Which artists, books or music have inspired your work?
My works are mainly inspired by the natural world around me, but I’m sure on some level music, books and artists have influenced my pieces in some way. I am inspired by the artist William Turner. Maya Angelou is my favorite author and I love listening to Xavier Rudd.

Which South African deceased artist do you most admire and why?
I most admire Pierneef for his use of colour, composition and subject matter.

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
I would love to own an original drawing from Zaria Lynn Forman.

Pick three artists who you would be honored to exhibit with – and why
I’d be honored to exhibit with Jono Dry, Zaria Forman, and Lisa Ericson. I am inspired by their subject matter, use of materials, light in their work and skill level.

How did you get started? Did you always want to be an artist?
I started from a young age and have always been moved to express myself creatively, either through painting, drawing, writing or photography. This passion has continued throughout my life and evolved through studies and art practice. I always knew I’d use my creativity in some way, through creating or teaching or both.

What are some of the key themes you explore in your work?
I explore nature in an extreme close-up way when I take the photographs I then choose to draw. I focus quite heavily on the light, shadows, and composition in each piece, especially because my drawings are predominantly black and white. I feel light and composition is a very important theme running throughout my work.

What should people know about your art that they can’t tell from looking at it?
My art is my unique way of seeing the world around me. I actively explore different angles and light in a search to capture and recreate the everyday thing in a new way. This is my way to slow down and connect to that world.

What are the most essential items in your studio and why?
My most essential items are the tools I use to create the drawings, these include the charcoal and pastel sticks as well as the paper I draw on. In the same breath, I don’t know what I’d do without my kneadable eraser, chunky compressed charcoal, and soft white pastels.

Tell us more about your creative process.
My creative process starts when I go out to take photographs, this may be intentional or (and this happens often) I stumble across a plant or flower I think is interesting or is sitting in interesting light and I take a quick snap of that moment with my phone. I then use these images as a guide from which I create my drawings.

Do you believe an artist should use their platform to influence society? Why?
I believe an artist should create work that means something to them and if this inspires or influences society, then that’s a bonus. The work must mean something to the artist first and hopefully the rest will follow suit.

Do you have a favourite or most meaningful work?
My second botanical piece, titled Hibiscus II, is one of my most meaningful works.

What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
My greatest achievement is simply being able to continue to create and explore and evolve with my work.

What are your aspirations for the future?
I hope to, simply, sustain myself through my art and make this a full-time operation. I would love to have a solo exhibition one day too.

South Africa | 16 artworks for sale

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