Mischievous Monsters
Kendra Heer
See it On Campus: Level 1
Visitor InfoA collection of artworks exploring childhood stories, fantasy realism, and personal nostalgia. Some of these fantasy creatures are remixes of classic tales, while others are more representational: exploring different ways of tackling fears and emotions.
Field Trip, 2022
Digital and Collage
Four kids go on a field trip to find out how the clouds at sunset are created.
Overactive Imagination, 2022
Digital
Nostalgic childhood nights would often lead to my imagination running wild. A whimsical monster greets a little girl from behind the bed! This illustration features elements of my childhood, including favorite books, movies, special stuffies, dust bunnies, a glass of water in case of nightmares, and of course: an overactive imagination.
Worry Dragons, 2023
Digital
To help with understanding childhood anxiety, one of the methods taught to me as a child was the ‘worry dragons’ concept. It is a way to visualize or characterize fears, and tackle them in a different way.
Cupboard Critter, 2022
Digital & Collage
Have you ever put aside a sweet treat, only for it to disappear when you go to retrieve it? Well, that could only be the work of the cupboard critter! This creature sneaks in the shadows of your kitchen crevices, greedily gobbling the tasty treats you seek.
Like Sisters, 2022
Digital
A small spot illustration of childhood friends. Drawing on my nostalgic summertime experiences with my own friend, these kids can be seen playing make believe as different feline friends.
Home, 2023
Digital & Collage
A final piece to commemorate graduation. Following the theme of home, this piece references back to the entry assignment to Emily Carr. Small details included in the piece reference the many experiences I encountered at my four years! If you look closely you may even find some mysterious critters.
Cats-serole, 2023
Digital
A whimsical scene in which a cat tends to a casserole. Surrounded by kitchen clutter, this piece plays with warped perspective to create a cozy environment.
Rockpunzel, 2023
Digital
A fractured fairytale retelling of the classic tale of Rapunzel. This version, renamed Rockpunzel, is obsessed with 80’s hair metal bands, and wants to break out of her tower to attend a rock concert.
Storybook Pages
A collection of children’s book pages featuring various stories.
Marlene Dietrich Biography, 2023
Digital
A collection of two storybook spreads telling variations from a Marlene Dietrich Biography storybook concept. This story details events that unfolded at The Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood. Dietrich had been kicked out of the establishment because she had been wearing pants, one of her signature looks. The vaudeville comedy duo Wheeler & Woolsey soon after made an appearance in skirts.
Grandma’s Roti, 2022
Digital
A side project reflecting on the intergenerational relationship between my younger self and my grandma. We would bond through cooking, making one of my favorite foods: roti!
This fledgling story concept follows a young girl’s trip to grandma’s house, and through many trials (and mishaps) the recipe is complete. At the end, our family roti recipe would be included.
Adventure Begins!, 2022
Digital
An early concept illustration for a children’s book idea. A child leaves home for the first time accompanied by their animal friends, donning their grandmother’s knitted scarf. Through the events of the story the scarf will unravel, leading the now lost child home through the bonds of family.
Early concept sketches & ideation.
Scarf yarn continues throughout pages.