A softly lit close-up of handwritten journal pages spread across a wooden surface, warm amber and deep brown tones, with a pen resting beside the paper.

Words and Images from My Mind

Writings, reflections, and visual documentation from an artistic journey

A candid documentary photograph of a dancer in motion against a warm, dimly lit studio backdrop, rich earth tones and soft amber light.

Galsen 2012: Core and Clarity

A Jerome Foundation Travel Study Grant final report documenting time spent studying West African dance and culture in Senegal — an immersive journey that deepened artistic practice and personal understanding.

Travel study report • 2012

Curated Works

A selection of writings and visual pieces

Two woven rugs with bold geometric patterns in rust, cream, and charcoal, photographed in natural light on a wooden floor.

Love This Love Project

A reflection on the poem "Two Rugs" by Maxie Rockymore, exploring a decade-long artistic connection and the quiet power of shared creative space.

poetry & reflection
A dreamy, soft-focus scene of a stage at twilight, deep indigo and muted gold, with empty seats stretching into shadow.

Dream Music

Musings on the intersection of sound, movement, and the subconscious — where rhythm meets reverie and creative impulses take shape.

music & movement
A collection of small sculptural objects arranged on a white surface, cast in dramatic side light, charcoal grays and warm highlights.

393 Piece Set

An exploration of fragmentation and assembly — a visual and written meditation on building meaning from many small parts.

visual art & writing
A close view of rippling water reflecting overcast sky, muted silver and slate blue, with subtle tension at the surface.

Surface Tensions

Examining the delicate balance between what is seen and what lies beneath — in dance, in culture, and in personal expression.

essay

About This Collection

This space gathers writings, images, and reflections that emerge from Kenna Cottman's ongoing artistic practice. Rooted in the traditions of the African Diaspora and shaped by contemporary inquiry, these pieces offer glimpses into a creative mind at work — processing the world through movement, words, and visual storytelling.

From travel-study reports to poetic meditations on collaboration, each entry reflects a commitment to using art as a vehicle for understanding, connection, and cultural expression.