behind the art
Meet Kena:
I’ve wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to get in trouble in school for drawing on everything when I was supposed to be working—notebooks, my backpack, my pants, myself (I was giving myself tattoos before I even had any, haha), and my work, of course. If there was something to draw on, I drew on it.
Life has a way of taking you on unexpected detours—mine led me to the Navy, where I worked as a mechanic on F-18 jets. Turns out that joining was one of the best decisions I ever made. I loved the challenge, the precision, and the adrenaline of working on jets—which, let’s be honest, were super cool. But what made it even sweeter? It’s where I met my husband.
He wasn’t some civilian out in town—we served together. We were in the same command, even in the same shop. I’m fortunate enough to say that I trained him as a plane captain, teaching him the hand signals needed to launch jets. Not many wives can say they taught their husbands how to direct fighter planes, but his can. And because we both served, we don’t just share stories—we truly understand what it was like, because we were there; side by side.
Even with all of that, art was always patiently waiting waiting for me to come home. While my early work leans more traditional, it wasn’t until I started creating Blobby Dudes that I really found my voice. Blobby’s potato-like, surreal form became a perfectly pliable playground for emotion, nostalgia, and humor—often woven with food and familiar objects. Essentially, my Blobbies hold snapshots of moments and raw emotions in life, depicting them in a beautifully bizarre way.
When I’m not in the studio, I’m with my husband and our two boys—the heart of everything I do. Whether we’re making art, making memories, or tracking down the best brunch spots, they inspire me every day. And, of course, I’m always dreaming up new ways to bring a fresh new Blobby to life.
If you find yourself drawn to my work, I hope it resonates with you in a meaningful way. Whether it's a beacon of hope to guide you through a difficult time, a badge of honor for what you’ve overcome, or if it even elicits a giggle, each piece carries its own story—and maybe even a piece of yours.