Barbara Kendall Reed — B. Kendall 
Barbara Kendall Reed was born in New Orleans, Louisiana of Creole heritage, and grew up in Dugway Providing Ground, Utah, a military army base, where she was exposed to diverse cultures and experiences. Kendall’s passion for collecting butterflies while wearing cowboy boots laid the foundation for her adventurous spirit.

By age eighteen, Kendall had traveled throughout most of the United States and Canada. Barbara returned to New Orleans to attend Xavier University where she earned a BFA degree in art, focusing on drawing and painting, while studying under a McArthur Genius Award recipient, John T. Scott. She also received a scholarship to study art history at Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Kendall’s commitment to creativity and art has been a dominate force in her life and is reflected in her establishing a design center and art gallery in Castleberry Hills, in Atlanta, Georgia, which she operated for many years. There she mastered the art of design for numerous upscale clients who were also drawn to her art. Kendall also exhibited the work of other artists and supported them by utilizing the business skills she garnered from her seventeen years of experience in the corporate arena. 

Kendall , an accomplished poet, lyricist, interior designer, muralist, and author, continues to develop her artistic talents and that of young and emerging artist by sharing her technical skills as well as mentoring them on their chosen art paths. B. Kendall’s art work is included in many private collections as well as the following institutions: Xavier University, and Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Clark Atlanta University Art Museum. She has exhibited at the Stella Jones Galley in New Orleans, Louisiana, Clay Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia, Visual Images Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia, Mattress Factory, Atlanta, Georgia, Kathryn Coleman Gallery, Houston, Texas; Hammond House Museum, Atlanta, Georgia, Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia.

Life iz Colorful, is Barbara’s first art and poetry book capturing moments and lessons in life expressed through art and poetry and organized by color. Currently she is working on a new art series and book called, Messages from a Butterfly—the Humanity Series, where she merges her love and knowledge of butterflies with her concerns for the current state of humanity.

“Messages from a Butterfly---the Humanity Series”
Barbara Kendall Reed—B. Kendall

Lovely and free, a colorful sight to see, I see her whimsical nature in me!

A butterfly and more, “Messages from a Butterfly”, probably started one day in 1963 when I began collecting and mounting butterflies! At that time, I lived in an isolated community in Utah where I spent endless hours in the desert collecting butterflies, chrysalises, and scorpions. However, the chrysalis fascinated me the most. The ability to transform from an unattractive, caterpillar that crawls, wraps itself into a cocoon like form (chrysalis) and emerges as a beautiful butterfly that, has instinctive purpose and is free to fly and serve its’ purpose! How dramatic is this! When I witnessed the unraveling of the protective skin, I experienced the unimagined power of transformation. I could now attest to a seemingly impossible transformation act. My fascination with butterflies and concern for humanity converged in 2017 as I explored “Messages from a Butterfly-the Humanity Series”. Through that process, transformation became the binding theme. Before I knew it, there were sixteen art works and poems. Although the series is midway from completion, it’s time to share! Butterflies and or the characteristics they represent are in each visual expression. I privately named my butterflies Sasha, which is Russian meaning defender of mankind. In the poetry, Sasha always shares her observations about man, humanity and the possibilities for raising humanity through transformative behavior and acts. Sasha carries the message of hope, faith, and making humane choices. Throughout this journey I’ve reminded myself of the goodness of man regardless of what happens around me or what I read in print or hear on the news. Many people still care. For the human spirit remains alive, in spite of the global attacks on humanity. What stays constant is mans’ power to transform negative behaviors and energies to positive changes-- one thought, one person at a time!

Rekindle the spirit of humanity while enjoying the whimsical,
Messages from a Butterfly--the Humanity Series!