Hi, I'm Kaylee!
I am a Michigan born and based multi-faceted artist/illustrator. I create in a variety of mediums and specialize in realistic graphite drawings and love the detailed complexities of the natural world. I recently graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University where i received my Bachelors degree in Illustration and certificate in Natural Science Illustration.
I spend a majority of my free time with my horses managing a small acreage horse farm, as well as being in nature exploring for and studying found flora and fauna. It is there where I gain inspiration for my artwork; through my love of nature, its constant changes, and the harmony to be found within the natural world.
By often intertwining themes of mental health alongside themes of nature, I aim to deepen my understanding and bring awareness to both.
-Kaylee Dirkmaat
SEE MY WORK CURRENTLY EXHIBITED AT:
Avian Arts Exhibition at the Kalamazoo Nature Center (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
West Michigan Art Competition 2026 at LowellArts! (Lowell, Michigan)
Student Curated Exhibition The Art of Nature at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design’s Spark Gallery (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
FUTURE EVENTS:
May 30th - John Ball Zoo Merchants and Makers Market
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2025 - BFA Illustration, Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) Summa Cum Laude
2025 - Natural Science Illustration Certificate, Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design
2021 - Associate of Arts, Grand Rapids Community College
Job Experience
2025 Pierce Cedar Creek Creative Arts Fellowship
2023-2025 Treasurer of the KCAD Illustration Club
2024 Client Illustration for CopperRock Construction
2023-present Consignment vendor at The Spark - Grand Rapids, MI
2022-present Consignment vendor at Periwinkle Fog - Grand Rapids, MI
2021 Product Staging and Photography Assistant for Color Inc.
Selected Gallery Exhibitions
2023 - Society of Illustrators Annual Student Competition (New York, NY)
2026 - 40th Annual West Michigan Art Competition LowellArts! (Lowell, MI)
2025 - West Michigan Area Show Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts (Kalamazoo, MI)
2025 - West Michigan Art Competition LowellArts! (Lowell, MI)
2026 - the Art of Nature, Kendall College of Art and Design (Grand Rapids, MI)
2024 - Small Works Holiday Show Gallery Exhibition Holland Area Arts Council (Holland, MI)
2022 - Banned Books Exhibition, Kendall College of Art and Design (Grand Rapids, MI)
2022 - First Year Experience Exhibition, Alluvium Gallery Kendall College of Art and Design (Grand Rapids, MI)
2022 - IRL Exhibition, Alluvium Gallery Kendall College of Art and Design (Grand Rapids, MI)
Awards
2022 - KCAD Scholarship of Merit
2021 - Kendall Portfolio Scholarship
2021 - Kendall Transfer Gold Scholarship
2013 - Honorable Mention Scholastic Awards
2023 - Featured in the Society of Illustrator's NYC 62nd Annual Student Competition publication
2022 - Featured in Cultivate's Local Artist Holiday Guide publication
2022 - Featured in a Kendall College of Art and Design Student Publication, Compass
Exhibited in
2025 - Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival
2024 - 33rd Annual KCAD Holiday Artist Market
2024 - Rockford Holiday Artist Market, Rogue River Artists Association
2024 - Roeda Studio Art Prize Artist Market
2024 - Roeda Studio Mother's Day Artist Market
2023 - Festival of the Arts Featured Artist at Periwinkle Fog
2023 - Roeda Studio Wareh0use Sale
2023 - Low Phase EP Release Extravaganza Concert Art Market at Four Star Theater
2023 - KCAD Registered Student Organizations Student Art Market
2022 - Roeda Studio Fall Artist Market vendor