Kelly Rae Roberts recently commented on a decor8 post and after reading it, I clicked on her name and linked over to her website (I love links!). It was there that I discovered her colorful, whimsical artwork and all the things this lady has been up to over the years. So watch out when you comment with a link – I’ll find you! :)
Kelly at a show with her lovely ladies.Kelly grew up in Florida, studied social work in college, and relocated to the west coast with her husband where she found the confidence to pursue her inner artist through running (I love that because my aunt was a runner and felt exactly the same way). Running gave her the wings that she needed to become an artist, something she had wanted to be her entire life but, like so many creative types that did not study art in school, they’re often told it’s not “practical” to become an artist without formal training. (But this hasn’t stopped them from their dreams, these talented artists have created somewhat of a movement called “Outsider Art”. Their numbers keep growing as it is gaining popularity all time.)
With a background in social work, it’s clear that Kelly loves people and has a sincere desire to “lift” others, which she is now able to do through her spirited paintings. Learn more about Kelly in her bio. If you are interested in purchasing an original painting, you can contact her via her website, or if you’d like a high quality print, visit her Etsy store.
Kelly at work in her Oakland, CA studio.Psst: Did you know that Miss Kelly worked on a children’s book, Alter This!: Radical Ideas for Transforming Books Into Art, with Alena Hennessy?
(images from kelly rae roberts)
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Extremely nice.
I love the colors, too. They look so alive!
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Beautiful artwork- I seem to find a different artist who’s work I love on Etsy every day!
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
i know kelly! nice to see her work here!
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I just bought one of her originals thanks to this post.
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Hi Alex, Christine, Claudine and Jackie!
Thanks for your comments and for supporting Kelly Rae! And Jackie, congrats on the new artwork, you have to show me when you have it up.
xo
Holly
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
i am lucky enough to have a kelly rae original and two prints up in my own. i am also lucky enough to call her my friend. she inspires me to challenge myself to stretch as a person and as an artist.
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Kelly is such a sweetie and her artwork reflects her sweetness wholeheartedly! I too am lucky to own one of her originals. She is such an inspiration to those of us who are just venturing into the world of mixed media art after a life of being “practical”.
Thank you so much Kelly for constantly inspiring me with your work and your words. I have your painting in my studio as an everyday reminder that anything is possible if I just remember to “breathe”. :)
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:53 pm
hooray! i love kelly rae’s art, too! i have a couple of pieces. her whimsical and thoughtful style is a perfect fit for the kinds of things that make me happy when i look at them. so great to see her featured here like this.
May 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
kelly rae is a beaautiful, gentle person inside and out…and that beauty and happiness radiates in everything that she says and does. anyone who is around her feels lucky to know her, let me tell you! thanks so much for featuring her…
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Oh wow! I went to college with her! What a random and surreal occurrence to see someone I know on a blog I read everyday, hahah. I’m glad she’s moved on to great things.
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:05 pm
alexis,
where are you? still in florida? get in touch with me!
May 23rd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I know this lovely, lovely lady too :) She was one of the girlies in the Girly Show that you posted in February! Congrats Kelly on all these great things happening for you!!
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
kelly is the cutest! yay! i love her work & her. thanks for the spotlight:)
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:27 pm
kelly inspires me everyday. thanks for the spotlight post on her! besito- Maya
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:01 pm
I love her artwork…she is an amazing artist and i am truly inspired by her. I am actually starting to paint again because of her.
http://wannamakeamemory.blogspot.com/
May 23rd, 2007 at 11:48 pm
I love the picture of kelly rae selling out of a suitcase! Clever, clever, clever. Everything the girl does is cool.
May 25th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Sweet Kelly ! her artwork is so inspiring and up lifting!
January 25th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Kelly is such an inspiration! I am happy to own one of her hanging angels. “Dream Big”
It is beautiful!