Cindy Kent

Writing and illustrating a children’s book was on Cindy Kent’s bucket list…written down   when she was about 32 – before there was such a thing as bucket lists. She knew from the time she was 16 that she wanted to be an artist and has never wanted to be anything else professionally.

Kent has been a Texan most of her life, with a couple of stopovers in Colorado. At 20, she married her best friend and boyfriend, and after 43 years says, “He still is. We have three kids and three grandkids, all amazing, and I’m still blessed to have a very lively, engaging mother.” Her love of art started back in junior high and continued through high school, so it seemed only logical for Kent to major in fine arts while attending Abilene Christian University. She completed her education at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, with an emphasis on painting and drawing. Kent taught art privately for a number of years. In 1990, she began teaching at Mt. Vernon High School, resigning in the summer of 2004 to work full time in her studio.

Much of Kent’s work is with terra cotta and stoneware clays and has evolved into a reflection of the natural beauty that surrounds her. Inspiration often arises from a walk on her land outside Mt. Vernon. More and more, she finds herself returning to her painting background, drawing and painting directly on the clay. “For me, art has reflected each stage of my life, and I look forward to discovering what the next stage will be.”

Kent’s work has been exhibited around Texas, has been featured in two publications, and is in galleries and private collections throughout the United States and Canada.

When daughter Chris shared granddaughter Emma’s story and the idea for Tacky Box, Kent put her educator hat back on and with the collaboration of Chris wrote and illustrated the Margo and Max the Monkey books for Tacky Box Sets. Kent’s colorful illustrations are a highlight of the books.

Kent lives outside Mount Vernon, Texas, with her husband Bill and a host of animals.