Cassandra Kendall

Inspired by the Renaissance masters and classical cinematic movie creators of Hollywood, such as Walt Disney, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Films, Cassandra Kendall is a full-time fine artist working out of her private studio in San Diego, California. 

Kendall was a long-time commercial photographer who recently transitioned into the fine-arts of painting and three-dimensional design. Currently, Cassandra is focused on a series of large-scale paintings which embody theatrical concepts and augmented reality. By utilizing her work experience in the multi-media field, Cassandra combines digital technology into the mix of illuminated materials such as amusements lights and special effects art frames that she custom designs from wood and metal.  Kendall's art materials also include Winsor & Newton oil paints, Liquitex acrylic paints and Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils on fine art papers, canvas, wood surfaces and plexiglass.

Cassandra loves to create compelling artworks that embrace the beautiful qualities of  surrealistic art motifs. Whereas, the artist specifically depicts archetypal characters, often performing artists and exotic animals, who err on the side of puzzling and edgy personas. The ambient backgrounds are set upon rustic, earthy textures and organic shapes that emphasize the beautiful elements of nature. Kendall also mixes radiant and complimentary colors, theatrical lighting and contrasted values for dramatic effects.  

In terms of storytelling, Cassandra's artistic works convey esoteric concepts and subtle mythological characteristics. For example, in Kendall's recent conceptual piece, "Venus Rising",  she depicted the elegant lines of the dancer's pose with open arms and flowing hair suggesting the feeling of freedom when connected to nature. Which also relates to the graceful movements of the water, it's reflections and powerful horse moving slowly through those elements. "There's a visual dream-like story that I am sharing which has no beginning and no end," Cassandra stated. "Venus is totally in the present, her poise captured by light, as photography does in that instant, leaving a distinct impression of that moment in time." 

Cassandra's strong interest in photography really started during her teens when she started traveling to the mountains to hike with her father. Enriched by nature, she became motivated to capture landscape and seascapes of the places she loved to visit. Such as the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite, Pacific Northwest, Europe, South America, and Hawaii.  Kendall's long time experience in the photography field also enabled her to become a photojournalistic style wedding photographer, which taught her the art of portraiture and importance of capturing evocative mementos. For instance, that fleeting moment when a father embraces his daughter after presenting the bride to her fiancé at the alter. Or, the heartfelt impact of a passionate kiss, when husband and wife celebrate the words I do. 

In return, these lifetime events that took place were about observing and what can be learned from each experience. Essentially, these cherished life experiences were the emotive force behind Kendall's artistic decisions and why she became an artist in the first place. 

 A romantic at heart, Kendall approaches each piece with a meaningful question: "How will this impact the audience and start a conversation to promote a serendipitous relationship between the viewer and visual art itself? Since it is my belief that the art's purpose is not to tell people how to feel," Kendall explained, "better yet, it's purpose it to help the viewer connect with their own emotions, subconsciously. Allowing the audience and their imagination to decide for themselves, what it means and how they feel."

"Everything you can imagine is real" ~ Pablo Picasso