Kendra Conger

My odyssey into art began in the spring of 2020. Having recently moved across the country from Orange County, California to Tampa, Florida where I was enjoying a new job at an art gallery. Covid -19 hit and the world paused. Suddenly, I had no job, no friends, no responsibilities to speak of, and nothing but time on my hands. I leaned into that time…I leaned in hard. My kids had recently become adults, my life in California had been crazy, stressful, hectic…I was ready for a break. It was time for me to slow down and find myself. 
I suppose my stars were aligned, or the universe was speaking to me on some level as I reflect on it now. I had met an artist in Ocala where my parents lived when I first arrived in Florida. He owned a gallery, his name was Seth Benzel. He shared his love of abstract art with me and encouraged me to pick up a paintbrush and give it a try. I did. I loved it. 
As I continued to shed my old life and carve out a new one, I continued to paint and create. It became part of who I am. I started with acrylic paints on canvas, then had the idea to add thread. I was hooked. Soon I moved on to watercolors. I started painting fabric and embellishing it with thread. After some time, this evolved to watercolor on paper that I would add thread to.
I joined 8th Ave. Gallery in November 2022 as a Resident Artist where I spent my time exploring, learning, and growing as an artist. In September of 2023 I was awarded a Residency at Magnolia Art Xchange where I will continue to pursue my passion for creating. I’m so inspired by the gracious artist community in Ocala and have already grown so much in such a short time. Having a dedicated creative space while being surrounded by so many talented people is an opportunity I couldn’t have dreamed of even a year ago. My hope is that you will see the playfulness in my work and that it will delight and surprise you in some way.

FL

Mannequin, globe, maps, books, magazines, polaroid camera