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Bio
His subjects are landscape, marine, animals and still life. His paintings reflect the deep appreciation he has for Mother Nature's moods using light and shadow contrasts. Ivan was born and raised on a farm in Ireland in 1951. Ivan immigrated to Canada in 1972. Shortly thereafter he began the practice of plein air (on-location) oil painting in the Canadian Rockies. Subsequent visits to paint the beautiful and dramatic Oregon Coast resulted in a move during 1993 for Ivan and his wife to Toledo, Oregon where his studio/gallery was built for the exclusive showing of his paintings. After 35 years of trying to capture on location the subtlety, drama, and diversity in nature, I have no regrets about the course taken, and in fact, highly recommend it. Ivan Kelly Exhibits and Shows: |
I have no fancy philosophies about my art. I simply feel compelled to translate through the medium of paint those things that elicit in me a sense of excitement or wonder. It could be a shape, a color, a moment of weather drama, or the way red cattle appear against a summer green meadow. It is all grist for the mill and occasionally I am successful in my purpose.
The most important event in my early career was meeting professional artists who took their paint and easels directly to their subjects - in this case landscape and animals (Robert Lougheed was one of my favorite artists). This practice of plein air painting became a foundation for all my work, because I want my art to be a result of my own observations and experience, not the result of only a photograph. I believe working from life provides the vital foundation for that which is created in the studio. However, I do use some of my own photos because my location work helps me to overcome their limitations.