Shirley Kelley

My work attempts to reflect the ongoing exploration of the abstract in nature, moving between the accidental and the consciously structured, juxtaposing natural and geometric forms. In my work I strive for a sense of order with nature and line. One layer influences the next, some images may be destroyed only to give life to the next phase of the work. Editing is as important as the positive laying down of pigment. I'm concerned with the effects of change, growth and loss inherent in the process, taking the chance of losing the whole but often rewarded by an off chance inspired image of hidden effects. Surfaces can excite and awaken attention in the viewer and inspire imagination from one's own experiences. Sometimes an ambiguous notion may appear in the work, leaving the viewer to be engaged in the decoding of the meaning of the work.
Much time has been spent studying, teaching and exhibiting both painting and ceramics. Although primarily a painter, I was greatly influenced with the time-worn surface of reduction-fired clay and it soon found its way onto the canvas and became part of my underpainting.
Kelley is originally from the Chicago area where she attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Having lived and exhibited from New York to Florida, Kelley now divides her time between a cabin studio in Montana and a studio in Naples, Florida.

Selected corporate collections:

Delta Airlines                                                  Hilton Head Development                                                     

Selected exhibits:

2016:
Artist Gallery, Naples FL
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL

2015:
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL

2014:
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL

2013:
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL

2012:
Holter Museum of Art, Annual Art Auction, Helena MT
Up Art and Design, Topographies, Naples FL
Florida Gulf Coast University Art Complex, HOT, Ft. Myers FL
Turman Larsen Gallery, Helena MT
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL

2011:
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL
Naples Museum of Art, Naples FL
Holter Museum of Art, Annual Art Auction, Helena MT
Up Art and Design, Topographies, Naples FL

2010:
Danforth Gallery, Livingston MT
Holter Museum of Art, Annual Art Auction, Helena MT
Naples Museum of Art, Incognito, Naples FL
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL

2009:
Studio 19 Gallery, Naples FL
Holter Museum of Art, Annual Art Auction, Helena MT
Naples Museum of Art, Incognito, Naples FL

2008: 

The Gallery At Bayfront, Naples FL  

The Von Liebig Art Center, The 47^th Juried Exhibition, Naples FL

Holter Museum Art Auction, Helena MT

2007: 

Holter Museum of Art, ANA 35, Helena MT

Somerhill Gallery, Things That Are Blue, Chapel Hill NC

Holter Museum Art Auction, Helena MT

The Von Liebig Art Center, Art Encounter, Naples FL

Naples Art Museum, Have A Seat, Naples FL

Somerhill Gallery, Many Layers, Chapel Hill NC

2006: 

Holter Museum of Art, Art Works Gallery, Helena MT

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill NC

Holter Annual Art Auction, Helena MT

2005:  

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill NC

2004:  

Holter Museum of Art, ANA 33, Helena MT

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill NC

2003:  

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill NC

1999:

Virtuosity Exhibition,  New York, NY  

Coach House Gallery, Atlanta Historical Society , Atlanta GA

1996:  

Elton John Foundation Benefit, Atlanta GA 

Fay Gold Gallery, Atlanta GA

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill. NC

1994: 

Fay Gold Gallery, Works By Southern Women, Atlanta Ga. 

Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill NC

1991: 

Fay Gold Gallery,Works By Southern Women, Atlanta GA

Chandler Gallery, Waycross GA

Brenau College, Eleven Women Artist, Gainesville GA