Many artists are influenced at a young age and Leanne Kelly is no
exception. Raised on the Onondaga reservation by her mother who worked in many
mediums, including sewing, beading and basket weaving, Kelly learned the skills
that she now includes in her work.
Early
on she began drawing and working with colored pencils, creating drawings of
wildlife, botanicals and portraits of French mastiffs, later showing and breeding
the dogs. In time she discovered gourds and began applying the skills she previously
learned to create pieces ornamented with drawing, carving, wood burning, dying,
bead inlay and basket weaving. Combining art with gourds she has found provides
endless possibilities.
Kelly’s love of plants and nature was fostered by her mother, a
naturalist and avid gardener. The
artist’s pieces reflect this and show up in her other creative outlet, growing
and propagating cactus and succulents. Kelly owns a small nursery and
hybridizes brightly colored flowering cactus and cold hardy succulents. The
plants she grows are inspirations for her art and are truly art themselves. In addition to her gourds, necklaces and
colored pencil drawings, Kelly will display many of her cacti and enjoys
discussing the plants and their properties.
Come meet Leanne Kelly at
her reception on Saturday, October 5, beginning at 2 p.m. She is one of the many local artists exhibiting at
the cooperative located in the heart of Sutter Creek at 35 Main Street. Besides
original paintings and photography, the gallery offers numerous affordable
items including prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, as well as gourd, glass and
fiber arts. Framing and layaway services
are also available.
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| "Blue Butterflies" |
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| Dream Catcher gourd |
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| "Bourdeaux Afternoon" |
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| "Echeverias" |
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| Triple Sister necklace |
