Artist Statement

If you asked me today, what my art means and why I paint what I do - I would have a difficult time responding. Not because I don’t know, but because it is hard to talk about. I’ve been painting for many years now and have painted based on aesthetics, dream imagery, more conceptual pieces, then progressed to practicing technical aspects such as brush work and proportions… But once again, my art direction and focus is changing.

My paintings revolve around my ongoing love of wildlife and the world around me. The light and fire in the eyes of what I believe are souls of a vulnerable being in the world, with hopes, dreams and passion. I combine this with a very vulnerable point in my life, where in 2019 I gave birth to my first child, and everything that could have went wrong, did. It was a horrible experience that I would not wish on my worst enemy. Not only did I experience a traumatic birth, but I had serious complications.

I paint for my son. He was diagnosed with dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism at birth. I will paint with the fire, passion, and love that I have based on my experiences which are revolving around my little boy - and my new daughter, Gabby. Some paintings will be happy and care-free, while some may be dark or sorrowful. My love for my children, my emotions, and fear of the unknown will uncontrollably reflect in my work, which revolves around the vulnerability and beauty of the world around us.

Biography & C.V.

Kyley Henderson is a watercolor artist originally from Dawson City, Yukon and currently living in Lethbridge Alberta. Kyley has been exploring a variety of subject matters through commissioned work and just recently started creating a significant body of work revolving around feelings of isolation and wolves. Kyley seeks to emotionally connect and inspire others through her paintings and dedicated a few years to creating art nearly exclusively for first responders..

“The Isolation Series” is Kyley’s first cohesive body of work that was featured at a gallery exhibition in November 2024 at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge.

Education

Kyley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Studio Art in 2017. Half of her degree was completed at Yukon College, now called Yukon University. Kyley then returned to University and obtained a Bachelor of Management, with a Marketing Major, and Supply Chain Management Minor in 2019 from the University of Lethbridge, now called Dhillon School of Business.

Art Career

Kyley is passionate about both art and entrepreneurship. She has been running a small cleaning business - Henderson Janitorial since 2009, and still cleans offices in the evenings to make ends meet.

The challenge of raising a child with multiple disabilities, who will require care for his lifetime is the driving force behind Kyley’s ambition to be an artist.

“By having a career in art I get to be totally dedicated to my favorite little human for the long-term, and still get to keep a part of me that I am passionate about. Being an artist is my dream job, only amplified by the urgency of caring for Damien. I am terrified, excited, and dedicated to this new journey.”