A longtime graphic designer, Kathy Rennels was 61 when, as she said, “I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up.”
Her grown-up job is creating whimsical, colorful graphic art — much of it for children — that typically includes a menagerie of friendly faced animals. Modern botanical flowers and imagery appealing to adults soon followed.
Kathy Rennels is one of nearly a hundred artists offering their work for sale at this year’s Art on the Mall.
“My love has been graphic design. I dabbled in other things but from an art standpoint I never knew what my style was,” Rennels said. “I’ve always done bold, flat, simple shapes. Then I built these kinds of whimsical scenes with jungle animals, farm animals, woodland animals, lake views … just happy things, like sheep in a Ferris wheel.”
Those drawings proved to be the creative “eureka!” moment for Rennels, who subsequently launched Adorable Kathy Rennels Design to sell her artwork beginning with a large vertical illustration of smiling animals and bugs aboard Noah’s Ark.
Rennels, who sells original large gallery stretched canvases, framed giclee prints and posters, and colorful “happy” notecards, is one of nearly a hundred artists offering their work for sale at this year’s Art on the Mall. Visitors will find a variety of styles and mediums, including acrylic, glass, pen and ink, oil, mixed media, metals, photography, ceramics and jewelry.
Sponsored by The University of Toledo Alumni Association, the event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30, on Centennial Mall on the UToledo Main Campus.
Complimentary parking is available in lots 1N, 1S, 2, 10 and 13. A golf cart shuttle service will be available to transport guests and their packages to and from their vehicles.
Rennels also submitted the poster design that served as inspiration for this year’s Art on the Mall promotional materials including event programs, posters and flyers, digital marketing and T-shirts.
Her poster features a vivid and colorful illustration of University Hall and the iconic bell tower sandwiched between the green grass of Centennial Mall bold paint splatters and a summery blue sky with white popcorn-shaped clouds and a rocket.
“It’s The University of Toledo’s classic scene,” she said. “I felt that depicted Centennial Mall and that I could take those buildings and do my thing with it.”
“I was so excited to select Kathy as the winner of the artist competition,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of Alumni Programming. “Kathy is one of our many returning artists to Art on the Mall. I cannot wait to see what pieces she brings to the show.”
Born and raised in Toledo, Rennels said she always loved art, in particular the use of fonts and their creative intent on posters and outdoor boards.
“I was fascinated with them, and I never changed directions in what I wanted to do for a living,” she said. “I’ve always been in graphic design.”
Once her clients were mostly small businesses, corporations and ad agencies. Now they’re children, hospitals, new parents, homeowners – anyone who wants artwork featuring bright crayon colors, fanciful shapes, stylized objects and cuddly animals.
Rennels’ poster design that served as inspiration for this year’s Art on the Mall promotional materials including event programs, posters and flyers, digital marketing and T-shirts.
Still, figuring out what kind of grown-up artist she wanted to be proved to be easier than being that grown-up artist.
“It was terrifying,” she said. “I’m just now beginning to think of myself as an artist and that’s just because of the feedback I’m getting from people and where my art is taking me. But I’m in heaven doing this. It’s my style.”
Rennels said she has long enjoyed attending Art on the Mall — first as a patron and now as an artist.
“I think UT does a wonderful job with this show,” she said. “I’m in awe of what other artists create.”
Art on the Mall will offer activities and entertainment throughout the day, including a young artist area for children and live music, as well as a variety of dining options.
This year marks the event’s 30th anniversary.
“Art on the Mall has grown to host nearly 100 artists, offer a variety of food and musical entertainment and so much more than when it first started,” Abrams-Frederick said. “I cannot wait to see where the next 30 years take us.”
Representatives from the Detroit Institute of Arts will jury the artists’ work. Prizes will be given to the top artists, and UToledo’s Best of Show award will be presented to an artist who is affiliated with the University.
Art on the Mall is hosted each year by The University of Toledo Alumni Association and is supported for 2023 by iHeartRadio, Mail It Corp. of Toledo and WTOL 11.
Full event details can be found at the Art on the Mall website.
For more information, contact Ansley Abrams-Frederick at 419.530.2586 or [email protected].
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