About Kelli.
Portrait by Gil Leora
As an Abstract and Impressionist painter living in Chicago, I find myself drawn to themes of nature and mysterious landscapes; to spend time away from city life and inside the open spaces of my paintings.
My life-long desire to create directs me to absorb the colors, textures and natural compositions of everyday life. My focus is to evoke mystery and mood with the atmospheric quality of my paintings. With each brushstroke, I capture the untamed energy of a forest, the rhythmic movement of water, or the ethereal quality of sunlight filtering through leaves.
These abstract paintings invite viewers to embark on a journey of exploration, allowing them to interpret and connect with the natural world in their own personal and distinct ways. Through the fusion of nature and abstraction, these artworks transport us to an ethereal realm where imagination and emotions intertwine, reminding us of the infinite and ever-evolving beauty that surrounds us.
Beginning with my first drawing class in college, I knew that I wanted to live my life as an artist and earned a BA of Studio Art in 1997. Though if I'm really honest, my love of painting blossomed as a child watching Bob Ross on PBS Saturday mornings.
My obsession with color theory began while painting “en plein air” in Monet’s gardens and around the French countryside. I spent a total of 5 months in France studying the Impressionism technique of capturing light and atmosphere directly from nature with inventive color.
As much as I love to travel, I believe it's important to have beauty and inspiration surround us at home. I grew Interior Artistry (founded in 1999) as a specialty painting company using walls as my canvas. I created murals and innovative paint finishes in many homes. To compliment my fine art background and instinctive knowledge of home spaces, I continued my education and earned an AAS of Interior Design in 2012.
Moving to Germany in 2016 through 2021 allowed me to pursue fine art painting full time. This is where Kelli Joy Art was born. I received the honor of being chosen as an International Guest Artist at Städtisches Atelierhaus am Domagkpark financed by Kulturreferat der Landeshauptstadt München. This opportunity provided an art studio for me to explore my process.
I now work out of my home art studio in Chicago. I proudly have my work hanging in private collections throughout North America and Europe.
Reach out if you have a home design or commercial design project in mind. I am accepting cool design ideas on a project by project basis!