A Crayola Sensei is sharing his art and knowledge with others: Kenneth Jordan Il is an artist and art educator from Pensacola who creates beautiful artwork with Crayola crayons, pushing his wax medium within the realm of contemporary realism. His work explores themes related to spirituality, personal narrative, the human figure and family. His current body of work navigates the space of personal relationships and the impact they have on perception in life.
After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2015 from the University of West Florida (UWF), Jordan went on to maintain a studio practice in Pensacola, where he is currently accepting commissions through August while gearing up for two summer workshops with the Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) and Luna Fine Arts/ Hive Arts Academy. This fall, he will also debut From the Land, a new series of small drawings that includes two works currently on display at the PMA. Jordan’s drawings have been featured in numerous exhibitions and auctions across the Gulf Coast, including the O What a Gala in New Orleans; Taking a Line for a Walk: 100 Years of Drawing and Printmaking at the PMA; Yr.8, a solo exhibition at Artel Gallery and Table 7, a group exhibition at the TAG gallery at UWF. Follow his journey and discover more of his artwork on Instagram @crayolasensei.
How did you get started as an artist?
Originally, I wanted to take a sculpture class and sculpt like Michelangelo. When neither PJC nor UWF offered that kind of classical course, I pivoted to digital art. That degree required a few studio prerequisites, including a painting class at UWF. Because the Painting 1 class was full, I was thrown into Advanced Painting with the promise that I’d still be taught the basics. My instructor, Marzia Ransom, sat me right next to Josh Green — who is now a world-renowned painter and educator. By the end of the semester, Marzia had changed my major to Studio Arts. I trusted her judgment and here I am.
Why choose to make artwork using crayons?
If I am unique, I want my life to represent that. My mother would say, ‘God has already given you everything you need to succeed in life, now make the best of it.’ There is a certain magic in the way a child believes: you hear a truth directly and act on it with total honesty. With crayons, I explore what is possible in art. My message isn’t just in the finished piece, but in the layers of the process. I never found blueprints in dreams or success in following others’ dreams. I realized that for things to change, I had to embody a space that had no prior examples. Today, I use crayons to appreciate life’s lessons and to serve as an example of new possibilities.
What is the “best” and “worst” thing about using crayons as your primary medium?
The magic of my medium is by far the layering. Because crayons are complex blends of wax and pigment, no two colors behave the same. They are temperaturesensitive: some apply with heavy opacity while others remain transparent, mixing and solidifying unequally as they cool. This inconsistency is maddening, yet it is my greatest tool. By defying expectations, the medium forces me into a state of pure exploration where I must rely entirely on my intuition as an artist. It is a volatile process, but the reward is worth the struggle.
Who or what has influenced you the most?
Gregory B. Saunders was my mentor and remains one of my greatest influences in terms of developing as an artist. Stylistically, I would look to Rembrandt’s incredibly emotional, textured and dramatic painting style. The relationships I have built and lost serve as my primary subject matter. More than a career, my art is a lived discipline that reflects challenges and core values.
What message would you like to give to our readers?
I ask readers to challenge their own nostalgia. Sometimes, simply changing how we look at things can alter our entire trajectory. Almost everyone has held a crayon, making the medium instantly relatable. But mastering the simplest tool requires the exact same faith, commitment and consistency it takes to navigate life. My goal isn’t just to make art — it’s to inspire you to question what is possible and push something in your own everyday life beyond expectations. If that resonates with you, I invite you to come experience the work in person.
