Kina Stringfellow, AGMF Historian
April 28, 2026 Guest Speaker: Keighley Sadler, Cutesy Macabre
cute-sy (KYOOT – see) adjective: adorable, fun to look at, precious, endearing, makes you say, “Awww!” or “Ooohhh!”
ma-cabre (muh – COB) adjective: creepy, disturbing, eerie, spooky, might make you grimace or cringe, makes you say, “Aaahhh!” or “Eeeeek!”
These two descriptors may seem to be at odds. Rather than think they contradict, flip the script and align them. Visualize art that is oddly adorable, or adorably odd.
This unique handle, CutesyMacabre, represents muralist, illustrator, painter, self-portraitist, one-time seamstress, art fellow, and all around super interesting and inspiring gal: Keighley Stadler from Milwaukee, WI. Growing up in a home that valued art and creative expression, as a young child, Keighley had no idea just how much influence these values would have on her as an adult. This included the influence of some specific art pieces from her childhood: the blank-eyed children and posters of rather affably animated fruit.
Outside of the artistic realms, both performance and visual, Keighley was drawn to work helping others, especially children with special needs. She found great work doing this at the Richardson school in the Milwaukee School District. Loving the students was easy, although the work could be tough. A few grievous moments occurred when Keighley was unfortunately attacked by students on multiple occasions. Her concussions resulted in major life changes.
The doctor prescribed Keighley to be placed on “brain rest,” a recovery strategy where physical activity and cognitive activity are avoided or extremely minimized. No screens, no reading, no puzzles. Nothing that created any stress on her healing brain. Besides sleep, what else was there to do?
Draw.
Keighley returned to a childhood hobby of drawing bobby pins, books, and bananas. In an epiphanic moment, she invented her handle and manifested her email, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. And she drew, and she painted, and drew, and painted, and her skills grew.
Through her networking on social media, one artistic opportunity after another came her way – and she said, “Yes!” to all of them. She also wanted to say yes to another type of work: one that returned her to a place where she could again help others. She found this perfect blend of creating and motivating as an art therapist and instructor at Donna Lexa Art Center.
Keighley’s journey is one of community, exploration, positivity, bravery, and creation. She reminds us to find and embrace the different sides of ourselves and find alignment between them. Don’t think it’s weird to be afraid, and don’t be afraid to be weird. Just keep drawing.
