Biography

Kest is a multi-disciplinary artist whose narrative work examines the profound intersections of the magical and the scientific. Through a diverse range of media including hand-built ceramics, painting, and drawing, Kest explores themes of autonomy and the power of story found in liminal spaces such as bas-relief and world-building. Her artistic process is deeply informed by her lifelong fascination with the natural world and a background in botany and biology, extending her love of science into the chemistry of experimental glaze formulations in her ceramic practice.

Holding an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and a BA from York College of Pennsylvania with an emphasis on Botany, Kest has dedicated over 30 years to a professional art career. Her extensive experience includes illustrating over 30 children's nonfiction books, serving as a botanical artist for The Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Calendar for two decades, and nearly a decade as a professor of Illustration and Drawing. Kest has exhibited her art since 1996 and her work has been featured in collaborations with organizations like the U.S. Department of State and the National Parks Service. In addition to her visual art, she is a keyboardist and bassist for the original music band, The Weathercocks.

 

Credentials & Collaborations