Bennett Galleries Nashville

John Kelley

Artist Statement:

“All of my treescapes are done from the resources of memory and imagination. Many of my compositions are the result of a general memory from my youth or a more specific reflection of a scene I have recently viewed. In both cases all of my treescapes are done without the aid of photography or any other mechanical device. Use of memory alone allows the true essence of a visual moment to come forth.

"I am the sole creator of the paintings on display. My pastel paintings are executed on Museum archival Wallis pastel paper which I tone with a pastel wash. This allows me to work in the midtone values and colors first and then move to the darks and finish with the highlights. Quickly working from large to smaller shapes I alternate complex and simplified layers until I have the atmosphere I'm looking for. My oil painting technique is the exact same process, although the nature of this wet medium causes the creative process to move at a slower pace.”

Education:

Culver Stockten College, Canton MO

Bryan College, Dayton TN

Awards:

Pastel Journal Top 100

Best of Show, Alabama Pastel Society, Regional Show

Best of Show, Southeastern Pastel Society, Members Show

Best of Show, Winterhaven Artfest , FL

Best of show, Eau Gallie Arts and Jazz Festival

Best of show, Gainesville 18 th Annual Downtown Art Festival

First Place, Painting, Mainsail, St. Petersburg FL

First Place, Painting, Artigras, Palm Beach Gardens FL