McKenna’s painting subjects are widely diverse. With the emphasis on landscapes, “I simply paint what interests me.” He paints exclusively in oils creating an impressionistic style with texture and loose brushwork. His paintings elicit a sense of warmth and calmness, an open invitation to explore and all share the inherent ingredient of the infusion of sunlight.
With relatives residing on the west and east coasts, the family road trips from Kansas covered a lot of territory. The desert landscape, canyons and colors of the southwest were especially appealing to him when covering the miles to California. His travels continued throughout the United States while working as an accomplished musician. His contribution to music has been recognized with the induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, Iowa Rock ‘N Roll Music Association, and the South Dakota Rock & Roll Music Hall of Fame.
McKenna’s exhibits have included Masters of the American West, Autry National Center in Los Angeles, Ca; Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK; Collectors Reserve, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK; Night of Artists, Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, TX. His work has been published in Art of the West, Southwest Art, and Western Art Collector.
Kenny makes Santa Fe his home.
