Kenna Jean’s artworks serves as visual diary, a recording of the geographic and social textures of her environment. She captures the expanse of the landscape of Iloilo City and the intimate, lived experiences of its people. More than just observing from the distance, Kenna Jean looks at her environment as a primary source that informs the images in her paintings.
As a young artist, her artwork strives to create a balance of technical discipline and creative intuition. Her watercolor paintings showcase the level of comfort she has with the pigment and how water interacts with it. Another influential factor in Kenna Jean’s art practice is her engagement with the community. Her active participation in local pop-ups and markets does not only give her the opportunity to have a dialogue with her audience but it also helps make her art accessible.
My artworks intend to preserve meaningful stories, express my faith, and create timeless pieces that honor identity, memory, and culture. For this heritage landmarks piece, I used watercolor, which allowed me to capture the delicate beauty and subtle details of each landmark, giving the work a sense of timelessness while preserving the essence of these cherished places.
What I love most about this watercolor piece is how it allows me to bring heritage to life in a delicate, meaningful way. I enjoy how the soft, flowing quality of watercolor reflects the timelessness of these landmarks, and how each brushstroke carries my intention to preserve their stories and the memories they hold. It’s a piece that connects the past with the present, and I find joy in the way it can evoke both nostalgia and appreciation for our cultural heritage.
I usually begin with observation and reflection. Whether it’s a commission, a portrait or heritage landmark. I take time to study the subject and imagine how I want to express its story. I often start with light sketches studies to explore composition. If I’m in the middle of a project, I revisit my initial vision and notes, letting them guide me while remaining open to new ideas that emerge as I paint. This balance of planning and spontaneity helps me preserve the authenticity and emotion in each piece.
What made this day interesting for me was how it felt like the perfect alignment of focus and inspiration. Every brushstroke I added to my painting reminded me of the stories behind these landmarks and the memories they hold. It was a day of quiet reflection, creativity, and connection, both with my art and with the history I’m honoring through it.
Our series “A Day in the Life” is a documentation of the creative process straight from the artists themselves. For March, International Women’s Month, we are putting the spotlight on women artists.
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