“The only difference between a madman and myself is that I am not mad. “
- Salvador Dali
Kyla HAwkins
Artist Bio
Visual artist Kyla Hawkins was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. Her family ties to the deep south of Symond, Mississippi and blues music greatly influenced the artwork she creates today. Kyla was born the youngest of three, with two older brothers to lead the way. You can say art was in their blood. Born into a family of creatives ; Kyla was inspired by her older brother Jacques and Uncle Melvin Kinney.
From a young age Kyla used art as a way of expression and relaxation. Art as a career did not become a possibility until high school. During summer school a friend of Kyla’s ran away with her sketchbook. He went to show the drawing teacher Mr. Sralla. After Kyla caught up to the teacher and sketch book, Mr. Sralla blatantly told her “If you do not register for my drawing class next semester, you will be wasting your life.” That was enough to wake up the true artist inside. After graduating high school Kyla went straight into working full time and part time on art. In 2016 Kyla Hawkins participated in her first ever exhibit curated by Amiriana Payne. As she grew into womanhood her style and skill developed. Kyla Hawkins is a self titled “Pop surrealist”. Her work depicts vivid colorful paintings of people of color with bright patterns and bold outlines. Kyla’s work focuses on body image, drug culture, mental health, and sexuality through a black woman’s lens. Since 2016 Kyla has shown work in Atlanta, Chicago, and her home town of Saint Louis, MO. In 2020 started to create murals around Saint Louis for companies like The Shakespeare Festival, Painted Blk STL, The Kranzerg Arts Foundation, and the National Blues Museum.
There’s so much to look forward to from artist Kyla Hawkins.
FAQ:
Q: Why do you always paint bare chested women?
A: Bare breasts represent vulnerability, sensitivity, and abundance. I want to normalize nudity and emphasize unique body types.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I am inspired by nature, spirituality, black people, astronomy, drugs and how they alter the mind. I find inspiration in architecture, mental health and mental disorders, love, and science. I get inspired by so many things. Music really influences my vibe whenever I am creating.
Q: How long have you been creating art?
A: I have been drawing since age 6 years old; so roughly 19 years. I didnt take art seriously until my junior year in high school. I have had a natural talent for drawing since age 12.
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: Salvador Dali is my all time favorite artist. I went to his museum in St. Petersburg, FL in 2021. I cried looking at such amazing detail in person. I finally felt understood when I got to experience his works.
Q: Do you accept commissions/ painting requests?
A: I only accept four commissions per calendar year. For pricing information please reach out to me via the “Contact” tab.
Kyla Hawkins picture next to “Lilith” painting 2020
A glance into my world
A collection of short film and interviews of artist Kyla Hawkins.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton
