Adrienne Kinsella

Adrienne Kinsella is an Adjunct Associate Professor and Lecturer at Otis College of Art & Design, with a Master of Fine Arts (2021) and Bachelor of Art (2016) from California State University Northridge. Her work explores themes of belonging, cultural erasure, and healing through representational art, focusing on the intersection of Los Angeles landscapes, Tongva heritage, and personal/feminine identity.

• Education
  • 2021 Master of Fine Arts, California State University Northridge
  • 2016 Bachelor of Art in Art, California State University Northridge
  • 2014 Associates of Art in Art, College of the Canyons

Kinsella's research examines the duality of interior/exterior spaces, the symbolism of botanicals and native plants, and the metaphorical use of jello to interrogate themes of domesticity, trauma, and cultural memory. Her artistic practice spans oil painting and frosted mylar drawings, often incorporating semi-transparent substrates to reflect transience.

Her exhibitions include I Will Always Love You (2024, La Mama Galleria), Medusa, The Power of Women in Art (2024, Van Zaig Gallery), and Art Department Faculty Exhibition (2023, CSUN Main Gallery). Kinsella has received awards such as the Vermont Studio Center Fellowship (2024) and multiple American Illustration recognitions (2021-2024).

• Scientific & Artistic Honors
  • 2024 Vermont Studio Center Full Fellowship
  • 2024 American Illustration 43 Selected Winner
  • 2023 American Illustration 42 Selected Winner
  • 2022 American Illustration 41 Digital Archive Second Place
  • 2021 American Illustration 40 Digital Archive Winner
  • 2021 3x3 Magazine Honorable Mention
  • 2020 Virginia A. Orndorff Prize Finalist
  • 2020 Les Kanturek Scholarship

Kinsella has held teaching positions at Otis College of Art & Design (2022-present), California State University Northridge (2020-present), and College of the Canyons (2021-2022). She has also served as an artist's assistant to Erik Mark Sandberg and Mercedes Dorame, contributing to oil painting and mural projects.