As far back as he can remember art has been an essential part of life for Franklin Kernes. Born and raised in Mooresville, NC Kernes was fortunate enough to have the exposure to art that many school aged children are denied today. Franklin first received recognition for his artwork at the early age of five when a picture he had drawn in his kindergarten class was selected to be featured in the school newsletter. That pivotal moment was the beginning of a long and impassioned relationship with art on a path which led him to study Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Charlotte.

 

After graduating from AI Kernes nestled himself into a rewarding position as a Graphic Designer in Davidson, NC where he currently designs for many local artists and business owners.

 

Recently however, this budding creative artist has made an impressive return to the brush. His artwork can be seen on his website, as well as in various coffee shops and studios in the Lake Norman area. In his most recent work, Kernes takes an interesting approach to abstraction, “I have a deeply innate curiosity about, and am drawn toward, the effortlessness of shapes and forms in nature.  I believe this love for natural shapes shows through my work. I start with a simple background, and layer after layer reveals shape after shape. What I love most about my new direction is every individual who views it could see something totally different than the next person,” he says.

 

Kernes describes himself as a lifetime student who loves to learn as well as a seeker of knowledge and wisdom. He invites viewers to explore his website and contact him with any inquiries or questions pertaining to his work (contact is below).

 

Artist Influences: Jackson Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, M.C. Escher, Banksy, Keith Haring & many more