Kyla Hawkins’ pop surrealist paintings tackle themes of body image, mental health and addiction
As a child, Kyla Hawkins would spend hours in her room alone drawing.
Kyla says that isolation was key to her becoming the artist she is today. Though, her paintings are much different now than what she created as a six year old. Growing up, Kyla didn’t speak much. She spent a lot of time alone as the youngest of three siblings….
A moment I will never forget…
“Badula the Healer”
18 x 24in Acrylic in canvas 2021 *Prints available 10/27/21 Limited amount 18 x 22* By Kyla Hawkins
Prints can be purchased via the “Etsy Shop” tab in the toolbar.
Love
I was blessed enough to show my love for Erykah Badu when she came to my hometown of St. Louis, MO. I put so much loving energy into the painting and I was determined to show her a reflection through my eyes. Her music has been my saving grace during my lowest of lows and also a voice of freedom and empowerment during my highest of highs. She has mothered those needed love through spirit and with sound. I am so grateful to have experienced such authenticity is my lifetime.
Paint Louis 2021
Woman vs. Wall
St. Louis based artist Kyla Hawkins rolls paint onto the flood wall for a mural during Paint Louis 2021 at the Mississippi River flood wall in St. Louis on Saturday, September 4, 2021. Hawkins said "Where ever the art goes, I go", about traveling as a working painter between Atlanta and St. Louis. Photo by Daniel Shular, dshular@post-dispatch.com
Daniel Shular
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'A Christmas Carol' Shakespeare Festival x Painted Blk Stl
“A Late Summer Night’s Stroll” at Forest Park
"A Late Summer Nights Stroll" Shakespeare Festival x Painted Blk Stl
the world on pause…
“Hey everybody. Ive been away. Its a movement going on that calls for action and i refuse to be silent. I haven't been in the mood to sit down a paint but things will resume when justice is served. I guess you can call this a hiatus. Ive shouted, marched, and signed petitions and will continue to do so. I love you beautiful black people. Im thankful for the allies that have joined together.
We are powerful.” -Kyla Hawkins via Instagram.
Photo by @MarsLumi June 6, 2020 Activism in Art
Art is how we leave our mark on this world. A visual journal, a photograph, painting full of colors that capture the emotions felt and experienced. A time stamp saying that “I WAS HERE!”
Over the summer of 2020 I experienced so much rapid change in the world and on a personal level as well. As I started to grow, the intensity of the worlds weight sat upon my shoulders. The senseless killing of black people, the exposed child trafficking/pedophilia running rampant throughout society’s elite social circles, the billionaires getting richer as people struggled surviving, blatant racism from President Donald Trump and his supporters. All while navigating a global pandemic.
I felt like the world erupted into chaos. It was time for my voice to be heard, I could no longer sit at home and just paint. I felt like my voice needed to be heard. My presence needed to be felt. I spent my summer signing petitions for police reform, learning about local candidates, and protesting 4 out 7 days a week. I screamed till I could no longer speak. I marched until my legs buckled underneath me. There was chaos, tear gas, peace, unity, support, and a community that came together.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER #BLACKARTMATTERS
Demonstrators Chant, March And Sweat As Police Brutality Protests Continue
Kyla Hawkins sat on the steps of St. Louis City Hall and tried to wipe the sweat off her face and the emotion off her mind… via Ryan Delaney, St. Louis Public Radio
June 7, 2020