“Kelly, you are full of surprises!” This is a recurring statement I hear.  I was surprised when painting made a grand entrance into my life during 2021, simultaneously ushering in a sense of wonder & belonging. The evolution of my art practice has recently amplified as I document my travels and life experiences on paper through quick charcoal sketches. Transforming these sketches into imaginative works on canvas has brought about exponential growth in my art practice and a period of self-reflection. Discovering the beauty of charcoal during an artist workshop in France led by an award winning, acclaimed Australian artist opened up a whole new world of creativity.

My work begins in stillness, among the quiet rhythms of life, my garden and the land around me. I listen to the silent labour of growth and the flicker of wings in sunlight. These are the subtle signs of nature, often overlooked but always present, I try to give voice to what usually goes unsaid. Charcoal, raw and earthy allows me to draw directly from the natural world, it’s marks are gestural, like fleeting shadows or whispered thoughts. Brush marks of quality acrylic bring light and layering in a way that builds stories, capturing not only what is seen, but what is felt. I take time to observe, to notice the quiet resilience in a wilted flower, the grace of a bird resting, the cycle of life renewing itself season after season. These small, sacred moments find their way onto canvas not as exact replicas, but as emotional impressions.

I see possibilities to paint everywhere, flora is sourced from my extensive ornamental garden & native Australian wildlife corridor to create expressive still life, botanical & avian inspired compositions. Imaginative representational landscape pieces have been emerging, revealing a deep reverence for the quiet resilience that exists in the world. My body of work is like a visual diary, cataloguing endless creative possibilities.

Australian native avian friends charm & inspire me with raucous visits near my studio on Wiradjuri Country. Endearing calls echo across the valley alerting me to their presence. As an avid gardener I have planted hundreds of locally sourced trees & plants to increase habitat for bird life. The amount & frequency of visiting avian wildlife has increased as the trees grow, providing a mutually beneficial relationship between the artist (me) & my avian sitters!

As a Special and Inclusive education teacher from 1993 - 2022 I became a life long learner and delivered specialised learning programs for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. This included establishing creative environments to support individual learning needs, sourcing resources from the NSW Creative Arts syllabus K-6 and Visual Arts syllabus 7-10 however, my students taught me more than I could ever have imagined. I completed a Bachelor of Education Primary/Special Education, at the University of Newcastle, NSW.

My home studio is situated in the Central West of NSW on Wiradjuri Country, very close to the Blue Mountains.

   “Flora and fauna surprise me, revealing secrets.”

Kelly Anne Shaw