Rea Kelly
Showing and selling since 2000, Rea's works have been available through these many juried art shows since 2000:
Riverdale Art Walk, Cabbagetown Arts & Craft, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (2017, 2019), The New Art Festival (Ottawa), recently renamed Art in the Park (2024), Oakville Art in the Park, Queen West Art Crawl, and through various private events and sales.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Since I could grasp a crayon I’ve been fascinated by nature and flowers in particular. I paint because I need to share my joy with you. My hope is to evoke the same sense of wonder and excitement within you that I experience.
My delight with the colours, textures and lines that nature provides is endless;
I admire nature’s tenacity, as when a pine tree grows sideways out of a rock face, or a hollyhock grows from a crack in the schoolyard’s asphalt.
I love early morning light, stark shadows, strong lines, vivid contrasts, and late afternoon sun. I typically paint from my own photography. At times, I realise the painting in progress has a vibe and a mind of its own, so I allow those insights to guide my hand.
Experimentation is at the core of my practice. This is because there are just so many ways to express the moods I capture.
My works exist in oil, acrylic, collage, watercolour, encaustic and most
recently alcohol inks. Though the mediums may shift, the focus is always nature.
We know that being in nature heals us. I hope that my works, rooted in nature, deliver peace, joy and inspiration to your space.
Showing and selling since 2000, Rea's works have been available through these many juried art shows since 2000:
Riverdale Art Walk, Cabbagetown Arts & Craft, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (2017, 2019), The New Art Festival (Ottawa), recently renamed Art in the Park (2024), Oakville Art in the Park, Queen West Art Crawl, and through various private events and sales.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Since I could grasp a crayon I’ve been fascinated by nature and flowers in particular. I paint because I need to share my joy with you. My hope is to evoke the same sense of wonder and excitement within you that I experience.
My delight with the colours, textures and lines that nature provides is endless;
I admire nature’s tenacity, as when a pine tree grows sideways out of a rock face, or a hollyhock grows from a crack in the schoolyard’s asphalt.
I love early morning light, stark shadows, strong lines, vivid contrasts, and late afternoon sun. I typically paint from my own photography. At times, I realise the painting in progress has a vibe and a mind of its own, so I allow those insights to guide my hand.
Experimentation is at the core of my practice. This is because there are just so many ways to express the moods I capture.
My works exist in oil, acrylic, collage, watercolour, encaustic and most
recently alcohol inks. Though the mediums may shift, the focus is always nature.
We know that being in nature heals us. I hope that my works, rooted in nature, deliver peace, joy and inspiration to your space.
$425.00
Acrylic on canvas.
16x20x1"
I don't know why I started a series painted against what we call 'fire engine red'. But I love the vibrance of it. It is how I perceive flowers altogether; as all-powerful and all-encompassing. Gives me major joy. What gives you major joy?
$1,925.00
Acrylic on canvas.
36x48x1"
I simply love watching colours and light reflect off moving water. This image was created using opaque and transparent colours, along with acrylic gels, to create a multicoloured, layered abstract of water. To me, this is like the colours and enjoyment of a party are being reflected on this water.
$475.00
Acrylic on canvas.
24x24x1"
This image was inspired by a bouquet that a friend had created, of various types of poppies. I found it delightful. In this instance, once I had all this wet paint and acrylic gels on the canvas, I quickly ran a wedge spatula through it all, up/down/left/right, which created a sense of motion.
$3,300.00
Acrylic on canvas.
38x58x1"
Inspired by a walk back from the Lake Huron beach in Kincardine, Ontario, these tall mid-summer hollyhocks were leaning toward me over a fence, as we trudged up the hill. Delightfully bold and imposing, I was instantly motivated to paint. Created in textural acrylic on canvas.
$2,150.00
Oil, cold wax and oil pastel on panel.
30x48x1.50"
This is an exuberant illustration of tall poppies against a black background, with the flowers delivered in cold colours like deep pink, light pink, white, with pale teal/turquoise leaves. Abstract elements via gold oil pastel further the graphic nature of this painting.
The paint and cold wax were applied with a butter knife. Not kidding; it was the best tool for the job. You can, once you know this, see the way the rounded edge of the knife carved down through the paint to the underlying colour, while at the sides of each stroke, the paint is thicker. I like this technique. It provides texture and interest.
$425.00
Acrylic on panel.
24x18x1"
This work, as is much of my work, is based on my love of summer flowers such as poppies, echinacea, sunflowers and more.
$375.00
Acrylic on canvas.
9.50x14"
Inspiration comes from my allotment garden, and flowers wherever they grow.
$375.00
Acrylic on canvas.
9.50x14"
I'm often asked about my still lifes, 'where'd you get that vase?'. Well, like the flowers, it came from my imagination.