A bit about me…

I grew up in Nebraska and spent much of my childhood creating art. On rainy days, I worked on my cartoon series for the “funny papers” and on sunny days, I would sell my paper creations to the neighborhood kids for a quarter. I entered poster contests in grade school and I created caricatures for my friends in high school.

After completing my BFA in Chicago, I immediately moved to NYC where I have been fortunate to work as a graphic designer, printmaker, illustrator, and artist since.

I now live north of Manhattan in a little village on the Hudson with my husband, our 15-year-old son, and two very important cats.

A bit about my art…

For me, art-making is about process and surprise, so I embrace my moods and curious whims. I create a lot of types of artwork and I use many mediums. I find it astonishing that a fluidly drawn line can evoke emotion. Or that a simple drop of water on pigment can develop a scene with depth and shadow. Or that a random assembly of textures and shapes can create a recognizable face or figure. It’s magic to me.

A bit about my clients and awards…

I freelance as an artist and graphic designer, and I have amazing clients, including The History Channel, Saatchi & Saatchi, Girls’ World Magazine, and Cricket. I have illustrated a few books, most recently You, the Magician, a thoughtful and empowering book of reminders, and the award-winning activity book, The Historical Heroines Coloring Book: Pioneering Women in Science from the 18th and 19th Centuries. I am a proud semi-finalist for the Tomie dePaola Award in illustration and I was recently awarded the great A. Eric Arctander grant for my watercolors. I am grateful to be represented by Liz Wain at Wain’s World Licensing and I also sell my art and patterns online. I frequently post my sketches and illustrations on Instagram and I invite you to follow me!

*****

“Kendra Shedenhelm communicates more than aesthetic through her creations. Observing subtle details in her subjects, she gives you a sense of connection to the energetic narrative of her images.”
—Jodi Maestas Carothers, author of You, the Magician