Although born in Toronto, Ontario, Kelly has spent much of her growing years living in the Orillia area. Her appetite for art evolved here during her high school years where she was encouraged by her art teachers to make her art a priority. She became really ’hooked’ after a school field trip to the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario where she saw the ’Group of Seven’ exhibit. However, she married soon after high school and four children later, her art slipped to the back burner. Once the kids were grown and gone, Kelly went back to taking her art seriously, starting with an Arts degree with Wilfrid Laurier University. She has spent the last 15 years teaching both English and Art overseas (in several countries) where she also published a children’s book, which she both wrote and illustrated. Kelly has recently returned home with the intention of staying permanently, and her art has now become her main focus in life.

Although born in Toronto, Ontario, Kelly has spent much of her growing years living in the Orillia area. Her appetite for art evolved here during her high school years where she was encouraged by her art teachers to make her art a priority. She became really ’hooked’ after a school field trip to the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario where she saw the ’Group of Seven’ exhibit. However, she married soon after high school and four children later, her art slipped to the back burner. Once the kids were grown and gone, Kelly went back to taking her art seriously, starting with an Arts degree with Wilfrid Laurier University. She has spent the last 15 years teaching both English and Art overseas (in several countries) where she also published a children’s book, which she both wrote and illustrated. Kelly has recently returned home to Orillia with the intention of staying permanently, and her art has now become her main focus in life.

I guess my painting style could be expressed as either/or a mix of impressionism and realism, but my main focus is creating an atmosphere through colour and light.

I guess my painting style could be expressed as either/or a mix of impressionism and realism, but my main focus is creating an atmosphere through colour and light.