Artist Statement
I start every painting with a verb because I’m fascinated by movement. Color is secondary to me, which is interesting because it’s one of the first things people respond to in my work. That and the animals, which are my primary focus. Animals inspire me to be a better human. Bison radiate strength, so I paint them when I’m feeling fearful. Chickens help me lighten up (just watch them walk). Subject, verb and mood dictate what medium I use. These days I reach for pastels as often as acrylics, with graphite and pen always nearby.
- Kelley Clark |
Bio
Kelley Clark lives outside Chicago with her husband and three young sons. In addition to working as a producer at an advertising agency, she teaches wildlife painting and introductory drawing classes at the La Grange Art League, where she exhibits regularly.
Kelley was steeped in nature and design from a young age. Raised on the edge of a canyon outside San Diego CA, the walls of her childhood home were papered with drawings by her architect father, who taught her the power of the sketch and the importance of good design. Kelley went on to earn a BA in Cinema-Television from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She worked as a draftsman for an architectural firm before moving to Chicago and signing on with an animation studio, where she worked for six years before starting her own design and fine art business.
Kelley was steeped in nature and design from a young age. Raised on the edge of a canyon outside San Diego CA, the walls of her childhood home were papered with drawings by her architect father, who taught her the power of the sketch and the importance of good design. Kelley went on to earn a BA in Cinema-Television from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She worked as a draftsman for an architectural firm before moving to Chicago and signing on with an animation studio, where she worked for six years before starting her own design and fine art business.