by Joanné Batiste Cooks and Terry Trahan, Jr.

“It’s like one of those things in which I fell into,” says Kayla Matherne about her gift for painting designs on everything from clothing to furniture. “I’ve been drawing since around age 3. My aunt would draw and paint, and my grandma could draw, so I think it’s hereditary.”

She has no formal training, but she took four years of art classes in high school. Her emotions and natural skill get the job done, and they haven’t let her down in the 16 years since she first opened Kayla’s Designs.

Kayla’s first artistic job was at the Lazybug boutique on Magazine Street in the French Quarter. She painted ladies’ apparel and furniture, which was trendy at the time. A window shopper noticed her work on display and commissioned her to paint roses in a hotel room on Toulouse Street. It was this job that launched her creative career.

She embraced her talent and traveled to Europe in her early twenties to study the continent’s architecture and art. Traveling forced her to learn the languages of the people while gathering inspiration for her own pieces. Interacting with these cultures is what Kayla loves most about her work.

Her ambition has also taken her across the United States. The artist has lived in diverse areas including San Antonio, Chicago and Los Angeles.

“I used to paint for some stores on Melrose Place,” Kayla says about her time in California. Her voice fills with pride as she discusses her accomplishments in such an impressive place.

Today, Kayla travels around South Louisiana painting decorative designs and murals on anything she can get her hands on. She often assists clients in deciding what is right for their space. She may suggest a type of finish to help keep the color scheme balanced, but she especially enjoys working with gold-gilded, silver-gilded and faux techniques.

“I love working with color,” she says.Kayla’s studio becomes a brainstorming haven as she develops sketches for her final draft that is usually completed on-site. She accepts both residential and commercial projects, but a new construction job requires her to get to work after the painters finish and before the floors go down.

“It’s helping someone to create a home that reflects their individuality,”
Kayla says about making every piece one-of-a-kind.She enjoys visiting antique shops in her spare time. These places hold infinite possibilities for her as she learns of vintage textiles and patterns that can later be applied to her art.

Research also plays a large role in Kayla’s craft. She studies the Renaissance and Romantic Eras and attempts to mimic the painters of these times. Her interest in these styles is a reflection of her time spent in Europe.

“I’m a person of history,” she says as she sifts through her collection of books. “My art room is more like a library. I do a lot of research. They know me at the library, and I love my computer.”

Kayla also likes to diversify her talent. She is currently experimenting
with what she calls mixed media painting. It’s an expressive style built around colored pencils, collages and paints. She takes imaginary subjects and develops fantasy portraits of people in her head.

“To me this is more interesting,” Kayla says about these unique portraits. “It’s not just about technique. I’m tired of doing things that others know how to do.”

The artistic innovator looks forward to incorporating written word and symbolism in her pieces. She strives to create visual messages in her work and to focus on the intricacies in her paintings. It’s all about finding the balance between tradition and exploration.

“You paint with your eyes,” she says about her visionary ideas. “I would like to do more decorative painting that reflects me and my style.” PoV