In the countryside of Wicklow, Ireland, Kayla aims to paint as she lives—on the precipice of imagination. With oil paintings that look like memories, and a published fantasy novel, Kayla tells a story with each new artwork. Finding a little bit of magic in everything—even if that’s just a bathroom
Kayla has received numerous accolades, including the RSMA New Generation award (2023), the ROI Themed Painting Prize (2022), and The Artist Editor’s Choice award from the SWA (2022). Her work has been featured in prominent publications like the International Artist Magazine (Feb 2025) and Artists & Illustrators (2022).
Most recently, in 2025 Kayla published her first fiction novel, The Minor Fall, a fantasy romance in the west coast of Ireland.
Kayla M. Martell, SWA — Award-Winning Fine Art Oil Painter, Member of the Society of Women Artists, Author
“Kayla’s Moving Bathroom”
30×40cm - oil on canvas
Kayla is a member of the Society of Women Artists (SWA) and the Dublin Painting & Sketching Club. Her work is regularly shown at the following major exhibitions:
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), Mall Galleries, London, UK - 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
The Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA), Mall Galleries, London, UK - 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), Edinburgh, Scotland - 2023, 2025
The Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), Dublin, Ireland - 2026, 2024
The Royal Ulster Academy (RUA), Belfast, Ireland - 2025
The Society of Women Artists (SWA), Mall Galleries, London, UK - 2026, 2025, 2026, 2023, 2022, 2021
The Dublin Painting and Sketching Club, Dublin, Ireland - 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
Exhibitions
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2023 Aug - Solo Exhibition at Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin, Ireland
2023 May - Duo Exhibition at Clonakilty Arts Center in Clonakilty, Ireland
2023 April - Solo Exhibition “Mornings in G Major” at the Ards Art Center in Ards, Northern Ireland
2022 Sept - Ranelagh Arts Center, Autumn Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland
2022 Aug - Ranelagh Arts Center, Summer Exhibition, Dublin, Ireland
2022 Aug - The Gallery at Green and Stone Exhibition, London, UK
2022 Apr - The Gallery Holt, Invitational for Exhibition “Euphoria”, Norfolk, UK
“Life Choices”
50×70cm - oil on canvas
Awards
Received the “Member’s Choice Award” a the 2026 SWA Annual Exhibition for her work, “I never meant to stop here”
Featured on the cover of Feb 2025 issue of “International Artist Magazine” with a multi-page feature on a step-by-step demonstration
Received a “Highly Commended” in 2024 from Vandlys Galleri for “Breakfast of Champions” in the Southwest Academy of Fine Art in Devon, UK
Winner of the RSMA Royal Society of Marine Artists “New Generation” award in 2023 via their annual exhibition
Winner of the ROI Themed Painting Prize at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters annual exhibition 2022 for her painting, “Roe”
Winner of SWA The Artist Editor’s Choice award at the Society of Women Artists annual exhibition in 2022 for her body of work exhibited
Winner of the Pegasus Art - Best Work in Oil for the South West Academy of Fine Arts annual exhibition
Featured in the December 2022 magazine “Artists & Illustrators”
“The Last Chapter”
60×80cm - oil on canvas
The Minor Fall
An Irish fantasy romance by Kayla Martell
On the West Coast of Ireland, Roe must relive the memories of her past life from a fantastical world if she wants to uncover the truth behind what killed her twin. But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth dying for.
The Minor Fall by Kayla M. Martell
Available on Amazon and all major online retailers. Also available in Irish bookstores including Hodges Figgis and Bridge Street Books in Wicklow, Ireland.
Cover Design
As a published author herself, Kayla knows how important the cover of your book is. It’s the physical, visual embodiment of years of imagination, tears, and hope. She would love to work with you to design a digital or painted cover for your masterpiece, and of course will read your book first to fully understand the wonderful world you’ve created. With a particular passion for romantasy, she is available for stand alone covers, wrap-arounds, chapter art, and even maps.
