About the Artist

Kelly began her art journey as a 9 year old girl painting large flowers on discarded cardboard with old paint.  She dreamed of being an artist.  Though she lacked supplies, she had inspiration and passion in abundance.  For years, due to fears of not being able to make a living as an artist, art remained a hobby until she decided to quit graduate school and start a family.  She painted pieces while her babies napped and took local classes in the evenings.  Her dream of one day being a professional artist never left her.  After over a decade of trial and error and lots of practice, she has found her artistic home in vibrant abstract watercolors.  She has gravitated towards stylized expressions of nature as well as various styles of abstract art.

Affiliations and Memberships

Watercolor Society of North Carolina

Visual Arts Exchange

Fine Arts League of Cary

Artspace

Shows and Exhibitions

—September, 2026, accepted into “M is for Menopause” exhibition with the Drinking Gourd Gallery at the Fuquay-Varina Community Library, Fuquay-Varina, NC

—August, 2026, accepted into “Shadows” exhibition at the Birdland Gallery, Raleigh, NC

—August, 2026, accepted into "Fresh" show at Artspace, Raleigh, NC

—August, 2026, juried into "Landscapes and Still Lifes" exhibition at the Fine Arts League of Cary Gallery, Cary, NC

—July, 2026, accepted into "Delizioso: Art Inspired by Food and Drink" exhibition at Pro's Epicurean Restaurant, Cary, NC

—July, 2026, accepted into “Abstracts and Expressions” exhibition for the Fine Arts League of Cary at The Mayton Inn, Cary, NC

—June, 2026, chosen as summer featured artist for The Hartwell, Raleigh, NC
—June, 2026, accepted into “Summer in Bloom” exhibition at the Hummin’ Bird Hall Gallery, Whitsett, NC

—May, 2026, accepted  into “Flight” exhibition at the Birdland Gallery, Raleigh, NC

—March, 2026, accepted into the regional watercolor show for the Watercolor Society of North Carolina at the Hummin’ Bird Hall Gallery, Whitsett, NC.  Juror; Alexis Lavine

—March, 2026, juried into “Little Treasures” exhibition at the Cary Gallery of Artists , Cary, NC. Juror; Sally Terrell

Recognition and Awards

—August, 2026, "Gaze" was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury's favorite 15% of the entries) in the July 2026 BoldBrush Painting Competition