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May Issue 2008
WICKWIRE in Hendersonville, NC, Features
Works by Kelly Welch
WICKWIRE fine art/folk art ". . .where the heart finds art" in Hendersonville, NC, will feature works by Kelly Welch, a representational artist creating works with an impressionistic handling of oil and pastel mediums with soothing color harmonies on view from May 2 - 4, 2008.
Welch is a classically trained, contemporary American painter, blending the worlds of Classical Realism and Impressionism. Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, her love of the land shows in her passionate and atmospheric depictions of rural life in the mountains. Working in both oil and pastel, her primary focus is plein air painting, some of which become the inspiration for larger and more abstracted studio paintings. Welch's work also includes figurative and portrait work. "Painting is for me something like joy, a desire for something fantastic and eternal, which I have not yet seen, yet my spirit testifies is true."
Having studied engineering in college, the yearning to paint finally overcame and Welch decided to pursue fine art. She spent many years studying with artists from across the country, developing a quickly recognized style of loose, painterly landscapes. However, it was after studying at the Art Atelier in Asheville, NC, that she returned to her love of drawing.
"Drawing became my primary language once
again, the foundation for all painting from the first stroke to
the last," said Welch. Her goal is to honor life as it is,
and to not lift up her own ideas above the glory of nature. To
honor nature - let nature be the first and last thought in her
work is her goal. In addition to enjoying small alla prima studies
of nature on location, her work also includes paintings that can
take days or even weeks to finish - as long as the subject or
season will allow until nature is represented with as little trace
of acculturation as possible. "It is my wish that eventually
no trace of me will be seen in my work - only a testament of the
beauty I was privileged to witness."
The plein air painter, Linda Cheek, says of Welch's work, "For
years, Kelly has participated in the tradition of plein air painting.
With this experience, her ability to use color and light more
effectively has gained her the confidence to capture in her paintings
the true characteristics of the scene."
Some of Welch's awards include: in 2004 she was juried "Signature
Member" of the Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters;
in 2005 she won "Best of Show" at the Montford Arts
Festival; and most recently in 2007, "Best of Show"
in the Appalachian Pastel Society's Annual Juried Show.
Welch is proudly represented by WICKWIRE fine art/folk art. She will offer an art demo on May 2, from 6-9pm at the 329 N. Main Street location. The event is free and open to the public.
WICKWIRE brings you a decade of distinctive art choices for home and office décor. Celebrate with us July 25, 2008, as we commemorate our 10th Year Anniversary!
For further information check our NC Commercial
Gallery listings, call the gallery at 828/692-6222 or visit (www.wickwireartgallery.com).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.