Through careful observation Kelly notices quiet acts of resilience, these small scared moments translate into emerging still life compositions that function not as exact representations but as emotional impressions, capturing what is felt. Charcoal’s raw, earthy qualities allow Kelly to draw directly from the natural world its marks are gestural, reminiscent of fleeting shadows. Manipulating layers of quality acrylic introduces light, depth and narrative.

Documenting trips to Europe & the UK with charcoal on paper while exploring Kelly’s ancestry has brought about exponential growth in her creativity. Transforming these sketches into imaginative landscapes on canvas has been a time of self-reflection and re-invention.

Portraiture is a discipline Kelly looks forward to exploring further. This is a portrait of her father as a young man in the 60’s.

• Squishing discarded pieces of paper to make a pulp is very statisfying!