When do you think is the first moment you considered yourself an artist or creative?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a single moment when I truly realized I was an artist. Since my introduction to art came so early in life, it’s always been a constant; a passion that never faded.
From childhood, I knew that creating was my most powerful form of expression, and it has played a major role in shaping the woman I am today. However, it wasn’t until around the age of 22 that I began to take my love for art more seriously.
I came to understand that this passion was more than just a hobby; it was a way of life, something I felt deeply compelled to continue developing and pursuing.
Ever since we first met in middle school, I’ve always been inspired by your work. How do you think your artistic style has evolved over time?
That is very much appreciated, thank you! During my early twenties, my artistic style and subject matter were incredibly diverse. While I had the skills, I lacked clear direction, and as a result, there were few boundaries to what I was creating.
I spent that time experimenting with a wide range of styles—one day illustrating portraits, the next studying automobile design, and the following week diving into chibi-style cartoon illustrations. I was curious about many subjects but never truly focused on developing depth in any one area.
However, over the past few years, my creative energy has been fully dedicated to crafting graphic novels and telling stories through developed characters and immersive settings.
Have you ever received formal education or attended workshops to refine your art? If not, how has being a self-taught artist translated to other areas of your life?
After graduating high school, I attended Oakland University, majoring in education with the goal of becoming an art teacher. After my first year, however, I realized I wanted to pursue art more directly and transferred to the Media and Communication Arts (MACA) program at Macomb Community College.
While I gained valuable experience in the program—particularly in learning software like Adobe Creative Suite and Cinema 4D for designing websites and brochures—it didn’t align closely with my personal artistic style. The curriculum focused more on commercial and digital design, supplemented by a few introductory traditional art classes.
As a result, much of my artistic development became self-directed. Although being self-taught isn’t as formal and often isn’t as widely respected, it has its own strengths. It requires a high level of self-discipline, initiative, and a genuine drive to grow in both skill and understanding of the arts.
What does your day or week as an artist usually consist of, whether you are part-time or full-time ? Walk me through it.
While still working a day job to pay the bills, I dedicate equal, if not more, hours to developing my graphic novels once I’m home.
I currently have two projects in progress: one in collaboration with a scriptwriter who hired me to illustrate their story, and another fully independent project, for which I’m responsible for both the script and illustrations.
The independent graphic novel is my primary focus at the moment, with a personal goal of completing three volumes by the end of the year.
Although I continue to take on freelance and client work when possible, a typical day of creative work usually involves spending the afternoon and evening rotating between my office and the couch, tablet in hand—sketching, coloring, or storyboarding panels for upcoming volumes.
How has your upbringing shaped your confidence in pursuing your vision as an artist?
Although I’ve always been creative, I haven’t always had the strongest support system. Growing up with parents in more traditional career fields, my artistic pursuits were acknowledged but never truly taken seriously. They were seen as a hobby rather than a potential career.
As I’ve gotten older, especially now that I’m approaching thirty, I’ve often been told by elders to “keep it as a hobby” and focus on finding a “real job.”Hearing that I’m running out of time can definitely chip away at my confidence, and it’s something I’ve been working through over the past couple of years.
While the lack of support from my immediate family can be disheartening, I’ve been fortunate to build a wonderful community of people who encourage my growth and genuinely look forward to my upcoming projects.
Their belief in me means a lot, and it’s something I never take for granted.
My favorite piece of yours is the Jaden CTV3 piece I own. The detail on it caught my attention instantly. Do you have a favorite piece amongst your own works? If so, please describe the process behind creating it.
Oh wow, a deep cut — thank you! In regards to my personal favorite piece, one that is very special to me is an illustration I did right after coming home from my first trip to Japan in 2023.
Traveling to Japan had been a dream of mine since childhood, during my first trip, (currently on my second trip while typing this) I came home with a feeling of love and joy for a place I had never experienced before.
I decided to illustrate myself, my partner Justin, and our friend Jason, both of whom were on the trip with me, in the heart of Shibuya. The goal of creating this piece was to focus on lighting and shadows, as night life in some areas of Tokyo can be heavily lit and colorful.
I love this piece because it takes me back to a place where I discovered new levels of appreciation for a country and it’s culture, while also accomplishing stronger use of shadows and highlights in a piece with slightly distorted perspective.
Who are some other artists that inspire your creative process?
In my early twenties, I dove deeply into a love for fan art. Artists like Edwin Huang (IronPinky), Reinaldo Quintero (Reiq), and Omar Dogan paved the way for creators who built success through fan art — work inspired by existing intellectual properties.
As I’ve started shifting my focus toward original characters and more personal concepts, I still look to these artists for inspiration. Each has a distinct, recognizable style and a strong command of anatomy, while maintaining proportions that fit naturally within their unique artistic worlds.
That balance between stylization and structure is something I deeply admire and continuously strive to improve in my own work.
What advice would you give to an emerging artist that is trying to market themselves?
For emerging artists who are unsure how to market themselves, there are many ways to branch out and start building recognition.
One of the most effective is taking advantage of the visibility that comes with the ever-growing reach of social media.
Consistency and clarity are key when it comes to promoting your work and keeping your audience engaged. Beyond online exposure, participating in exhibitions can be incredibly valuable.
Exhibits not only introduce your art to new audiences who may not be familiar with your work, but also provide opportunities to connect with other artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts in person.
These personal connections can be just as impactful as online growth when it comes to developing your career and community as an artist.
How has social media helped expand the reach of your art?
Social media has been an incredibly valuable tool in helping me find my community as an artist — both supportive followers and other like-minded creators.
When I first began sharing my work publicly, mainly on Instagram, I discovered that using hashtags was one of the best ways to reach an audience interested in the kind of art I was making.
However, as social media continues to evolve, artists have to adapt quickly to ever-changing trends in order to maintain visibility.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been great for gaining exposure, but as someone who values peace and prefers not to spend too much time online, finding a healthy balance can be challenging.
I’m still learning how to share my work consistently without feeling pressured to become a full-time content creator.
What’s a song you’re currently listening to on repeat, and why?
A song I’ve been absolutely infatuated with lately is “Tonight” by PinkPantheress. I’ve been really into her music this year. “Tonight” has such infectious energy and fun, girly pop vibes that I can’t help but dance every time I hear it.
To learn more about Kayla’s journey and her original graphic novels and illustrations, be sure to connect with her on instagram (@kirbydotkayla). She is currently open for commissions!
I’m so proud of Kayla and the incredible artwork she’s creating! We first met back in middle school, bonding as jokesters, and over the years we’ve each walked our own paths while still cheering one another on. It’s been such a privilege to stay connected and to witness her growth as an artist over the last 15 years. I’m truly grateful for her friendship and inspired by her creativity.
*If you're an artist interested in being featured in this spotlight series, please send an email to inquiries@leonella97.com.
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