Kiana Kidder has a passion for painting. The Cypress Bay High School Class of 2018 graduate is currently enrolled in the Masters painting class at the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s art school. She is learning new painting skills and techniques, as well as how to market and sell her artwork. That probably won’t be hard considering the response she received to her first piece, a portrait of Rascal Flatts.
Kiana, who had been drawing for years, started painting last spring. She wanted her first painting to be memorable yet challenging. While contemplating who the subject would be, a song by Rascal Flatts began to play on the radio. She took that as a sign and decided to paint her favorite band. The Country music band is known for hit songs including Bless the Broken Road and Life is a Highway.
After about a week and a half of nearly non-stop painting, Kiana says when she finished and took a step back to look at her painting she was surprised by how well it came out. It featured the three members of Rascal Flatts surrounded by the band’s album names and symbols. Kiana posted a picture of the painting on her Instagram page.
“A couple of days later, I received a message from Brittany, the lead singer’s daughter, about the painting. We chatted via private messenger for a while and I told her how much I loved Rascal Flatts, how much this painting meant to me, and how I would love to give the painting to them,” shares Kiana, who says the conversation ended with her telling Brittany she was saving up to buy VIP tickets to their South Florida concert.
A few days later, in the middle of class, Kiana received a notification that said “Rascal Flatts would like to message you”. She says she immediately thought it was a fake account, but after verifying its authenticity, Kiana says she “freaked out” and called her best friend. The band offered her four pit tickets, VIP upgrades and an invitation to the Meet and Greet.
Kiana says the concert was the best night of her life. The highlight was the Meet and Greet. “My experience was like no other. I had the chance to hang out with the band, take some photos, and even had the chance to show everyone some of my rare Rascal Flatts memorabilia. They were shocked that I found the press kit from their first album.”
As for the painting. Kiana says the band members were all “authentically excited and happy” to receive it. The painting now hangs in lead singer Gary LeVox’s home in Tennessee.
To see Kiana Kidder’s artwork, check out her portfolio on Instagram @kianasartportfolio
