California Portraits, Kelly Mellos Fine Art

BIOGRAPHY
Kelly Mellos has always viewed life through the eyes of an artist. She remembers "living in two worlds" as a young child - her favorite being the world of the imagination - full of color, beauty, endless possibilities and the noticing of life in not only living beings, but also inanimate objects. She remembers profound experiences that inevitably led her on the path of an artist. Once, around age four, after making art with her brother at her family cottage, she gifted her piece to her mother and recognized this as her favorite experience - the creation of something with her hands, heart and mind and the appreciation of it by the receiver. Another occurred at age nine, after studying a piece on a docent led tour of the Minneapolis Museum of Art; this was the first time she understood the possibility of embedding philosophies and ideas within visuals and it opened up a whole new world of thinking. She feels grateful that her mother noticed her interest in art, and bought her an easel at age 4. She also feels grateful that after some twists and turns and working in the business world, she has come back full-time to the work that she loves - fine art painting, drawing, writing and speaking.

Kelly's viewpoint is one depicting a reverence for life, a deep awe of the beauty within a human being and in nature. She hopes that by capturing the life force of her subjects and showing this to viewers, that this respect will be shared. Additionally, she is interested in empowering others to reach their own creative potential, and this comes out in her writing and speaking.

A commitment to artistic excellence, grounded in the representational art traditions of 19th century European Ateliers, is the foundation of Kelly’s work. Kelly’s portrait, figurative and landscape work has shown in national galleries and museums, as well as international exhibitions.

ARTIST STATEMENT
The creation of meaningful art involves not only the ability to see, but also the curiosity to observe. It requires attention and a deep sensitivity to notice the beauty within others and within nature and to show this beauty to others.

Great art goes beyond the surface and moves its viewers to a place that is even deeper than emotional and rational stimulation - to a place of wonder, awe and reflection. It is a mysterious process that human beings go through, connecting to the creative flow of the universe, or something much larger than ourselves; it is truly humbling, healing and beautiful. This is an enriching journey worth taking and I am grateful every day to make this my life’s work.

For the Love of Art

Artist Stmt./Bio

BIOGRAPHY
Kelly Mellos has always viewed life through the eyes of an artist. She remembers "living in two worlds" as a young child - her favorite being the world of the imagination - full of color, beauty, endless possibilities and the noticing of life in not only living beings, but also inanimate objects. She remembers profound experiences that inevitably led her on the path of an artist. Once, around age four, after making art with her brother at her family cottage, she gifted her piece to her mother and recognized this as her favorite experience - the creation of something with her hands, heart and mind and the appreciation of it by the receiver. Another occurred at age nine, after studying a piece on a docent led tour of the Minneapolis Museum of Art; this was the first time she understood the possibility of embedding philosophies and ideas within visuals and it opened up a whole new world of thinking. She feels grateful that her mother noticed her interest in art, and bought her an easel at age 4. She also feels grateful that after some twists and turns and working in the business world, she has come back full-time to the work that she loves - fine art painting, drawing, writing and speaking.

Kelly's viewpoint is one depicting a reverence for life, a deep awe of the beauty within a human being and in nature. She hopes that by capturing the life force of her subjects and showing this to viewers, that this respect will be shared. Additionally, she is interested in empowering others to reach their own creative potential, and this comes out in her writing and speaking.

A commitment to artistic excellence, grounded in the representational art traditions of 19th century European Ateliers, is the foundation of Kelly’s work. Kelly’s portrait, figurative and landscape work has shown in national galleries and museums, as well as international exhibitions.

ARTIST STATEMENT
The creation of meaningful art involves not only the ability to see, but also the curiosity to observe. It requires attention and a deep sensitivity to notice the beauty within others and within nature and to show this beauty to others.

Great art goes beyond the surface and moves its viewers to a place that is even deeper than emotional and rational stimulation - to a place of wonder, awe and reflection. It is a mysterious process that human beings go through, connecting to the creative flow of the universe, or something much larger than ourselves; it is truly humbling, healing and beautiful. This is an enriching journey worth taking and I am grateful every day to make this my life’s work.