Kailyn Humphreys is an illustrator and animator residing in Moh’kinsstis, Alberta. His work primarily focuses on topics regarding his personal lived experiences as a queer trans man in Alberta, and are typically depicted through fictional fantasy worlds, personified creatures and objects, and traditional acrylic painting. Incorporating the surreal and abstract into 2-D illustration, animation, and ceramics Kailyn communicates his struggles with mental health, familial relations, and his disconnect with his body via intense and graphic visual storytelling. All his work is aiming to create community and connection with the LGBTQ2S+ community in Calgary and all of Canada by allowing vulnerability and honesty to shine through the process and final product. While the tone may shift considerably from bright, colourful and maximalist to muted, monochromatic, and clean, his message stays the same: to listen and to be heard. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kailyn finds a large chunk of his current inspiration linked to Calgary Artists, many of whom he has had the pleasure of interacting within the community. Of course, Winnipeg is home, and Kailyn is inspired by various artists from there such as: Rhael McGregor, Sarah E. Fuller, and Cato Cormier. Artist from Calgary such as Hal Hays, Jillian Fleck, Nick Johnson, Karl Geist and especially fellow trans muralist Kat Simmers. All these amazing artists leak into Kailyn’s work, helping him fine-tune his content to best visually express his own personal experiences in as many diverse ways as possible.

Kailyn Humphreys

Kailyn Humphreys is an illustrator and animator residing in Moh’kinsstis, Alberta. His work primarily focuses on topics regarding his personal lived experiences as a queer trans man in Alberta, and are typically depicted through fictional fantasy worlds, personified creatures and objects, and traditional acrylic painting. Incorporating the surreal and abstract into 2-D illustration, animation, and ceramics Kailyn communicates his struggles with mental health, familial relations, and his disconnect with his body via intense and graphic visual storytelling. All his work is aiming to create community and connection with the LGBTQ2S+ community in Calgary and all of Canada by allowing vulnerability and honesty to shine through the process and final product. While the tone may shift considerably from bright, colourful and maximalist to muted, monochromatic, and clean, his message stays the same: to listen and to be heard. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kailyn finds a large chunk of his current inspiration linked to Calgary Artists, many of whom he has had the pleasure of interacting within the community. Of course, Winnipeg is home, and Kailyn is inspired by various artists from there such as: Rhael McGregor, Sarah E. Fuller, and Cato Cormier. Artist from Calgary such as Hal Hays, Jillian Fleck, Nick Johnson, Karl Geist and especially fellow trans muralist Kat Simmers. All these amazing artists leak into Kailyn’s work, helping him fine-tune his content to best visually express his own personal experiences in as many diverse ways as possible.

Available to hire

Kailyn Humphreys is an illustrator and animator residing in Moh’kinsstis, Alberta. His work primarily focuses on topics regarding his personal lived experiences as a queer trans man in Alberta, and are typically depicted through fictional fantasy worlds, personified creatures and objects, and traditional acrylic painting. Incorporating the surreal and abstract into 2-D illustration, animation, and ceramics Kailyn communicates his struggles with mental health, familial relations, and his disconnect with his body via intense and graphic visual storytelling. All his work is aiming to create community and connection with the LGBTQ2S+ community in Calgary and all of Canada by allowing vulnerability and honesty to shine through the process and final product. While the tone may shift considerably from bright, colourful and maximalist to muted, monochromatic, and clean, his message stays the same: to listen and to be heard.
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kailyn finds a large chunk of his current inspiration linked to Calgary Artists, many of whom he has had the pleasure of interacting within the community. Of course, Winnipeg is home, and Kailyn is inspired by various artists from there such as: Rhael McGregor, Sarah E. Fuller, and Cato Cormier. Artist from Calgary such as Hal Hays, Jillian Fleck, Nick Johnson, Karl Geist and especially fellow trans muralist Kat Simmers. All these amazing artists leak into Kailyn’s work, helping him fine-tune his content to best visually express his own personal experiences in as many diverse ways as possible.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Communications Assistant at TRUCK Contemporary Art Gallery
December 1, 2025 - Present
Design promotional materials for TRUCK’s transitional period as they rebuild. Keep subscribed members updated through TRUCK’s Newsletter, as well as the general public via social media. Collect, organize, and provide proper documentation of TRUCK’s crediting to their funders through 2022-2025.
Student Services Assistant at Alberta University of the Arts
June 1, 2024 - Present
Provide assistance to the Director and Team of Student Services regarding accessibility, accommodations, wellness, advising, new student orientation, and international exchange. Prepare reports, briefs, website edits and updates, answer emails, and create materials to aid staff and students in navigating student services. Design material for marketing or promotional events at AU Arts and SAIT with brochures, directional signage, animation and posters.
Sessional Instructor at Quick Draw Animation Society
June 1, 2024 - Present
Teach 2-D and 3-D animation fundamentals, plus paper-cut, hand-drawn, pixelation, stop-motion and experimental animation to youth ages 8-12 and teens 13-17; co-instruct to provide hands-on experience and more one-on-one support. Also teach 1-hour sessions at Calgary Public Libraries focusing on flip books for ages 6-12.
Summer Camp Facilitator at Alberta University of the Arts
June 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Teach children ages 9-15 animation, fine arts drawing, and manga-style drawing. Prepare classrooms, manage supplies, ensure gallery show at camp end goes smoothly by helping kids display their work in the gallery, and compile a full video of all animations.

Education

Bachelor of Design at Alberta University of the Arts
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
High School Diploma at Garden City Collegiate
September 1, 2015 - June 1, 2019
Bachelor of Design at Alberta University of the Arts
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
High School Diploma at Garden City Collegiate
September 1, 2015 - June 1, 2019
Bachelor of Design at Alberta University of the Arts
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
High School Diploma at Garden City Collegiate
September 1, 2015 - June 1, 2019
Bachelor of Design at Alberta University of the Arts
September 1, 2020 - May 1, 2024
High School Diploma at Garden City Collegiate
September 1, 2015 - June 1, 2019

Qualifications

AGLC QCW License
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
Smart Choices
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
SellSafe Cannabis
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
GBSV Education
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
AGLC QCW License
January 11, 2030 - April 13, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other, Non-Profit Organization