Artist Bio:
Artist Toni Kelly has always lived in North Western Pennsylvania along the shores of Lake Erie. As a child, Toni was inclined to draw and paint, but her love of drawing and painting nature subjects didn’t come until later in life. After moving into her current home and studio, Toni became an avid gardener, backyard birder and nature hiker, often sketching her flowers, yard birds and landscapes in journals. Education: Toni’s art education has been self-directed with independent study, classes and workshops. She learned to paint with watercolor by prominent local instructors with additional study in botanical painting at the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA. Toni is also well known, both regionally and internationally, in the field of Calligraphy and Book Arts having studied under prominent international instructors. Toni began combining calligraphy with her painted images after studying under Randall Hasson while attending an international calligraphy conference. In 2019 Toni participated in a 4 day workshop to study under well known plein air and landscape artist Mark Boedges in Vermont. This helped expand her knowledge of landscapes and light. She now portrays nature related images on canvas painting with oils or acrylics. Birds and Landscapes are her main subjects. Her artwork has taken awards in juried shows and invitational exhibitions. Paintings can be found in local galleries and private collections. |
Artist Statement:
While working in the garden or hiking on a trail at Presque Isle State Park I am constantly inspired by nature's beauty, texture and patterns. I nearly always have my camera to capture the fleeting moments of birds, butterflies or the shear beauty of wildflowers and the light of the landscape. It is from these digital reference photos that I combine to make a composition that tells a story.
Most of my paintings are representational as I try to capture a sense of calm and the light filtering.
Artist Process:
I will work a layout, usually in photoshop, using one to four reference photos and also make sketches then a drawing which is then transferred to paper or canvas. Working with a limited palette allows me to mix rich earthy colors which are worked in layers starting with muted edges, creating contrast, then finished with details.
For the paintings on old book covers I start by ripping out the pages exposing the spine then paint or draw on the inside of the cover. Sometimes a few pages are left in for design affects. The book covers are then mounted on canvas covered wood strips and wired for hanging. The completed book cover is varnished for protection.
With the Mixed Media portrait type pieces I work in opaque and transparent layers using handmade papers, elements from nature, transfers, and a variety of painting mediums. Color combinations are selected to best express the energy of the art. Working with a variety of inkjet transfer methods the backdrops for portraits and still life paintings are my designs or copyright free design images.
While working in the garden or hiking on a trail at Presque Isle State Park I am constantly inspired by nature's beauty, texture and patterns. I nearly always have my camera to capture the fleeting moments of birds, butterflies or the shear beauty of wildflowers and the light of the landscape. It is from these digital reference photos that I combine to make a composition that tells a story.
Most of my paintings are representational as I try to capture a sense of calm and the light filtering.
Artist Process:
I will work a layout, usually in photoshop, using one to four reference photos and also make sketches then a drawing which is then transferred to paper or canvas. Working with a limited palette allows me to mix rich earthy colors which are worked in layers starting with muted edges, creating contrast, then finished with details.
For the paintings on old book covers I start by ripping out the pages exposing the spine then paint or draw on the inside of the cover. Sometimes a few pages are left in for design affects. The book covers are then mounted on canvas covered wood strips and wired for hanging. The completed book cover is varnished for protection.
With the Mixed Media portrait type pieces I work in opaque and transparent layers using handmade papers, elements from nature, transfers, and a variety of painting mediums. Color combinations are selected to best express the energy of the art. Working with a variety of inkjet transfer methods the backdrops for portraits and still life paintings are my designs or copyright free design images.