Kell Presskit July19 Lr.Pdf
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BIO I began my artistic journey as a painter and illustrator. I eventually found myself transitioning to a career as a graphic artist and I’ve been fortunate to operate my own freelance design business for over 25 years. In the last decade, I’ve been able to transition back to pursuits in fine art. While my aesthetic tendencies had not shifted significantly over the years, my medium of choice had changed quite a bit. Leslie lives in the I was able to tap into my unique skillset as a longtime graphics Austin area with her professional to create an original technique that synthesizes the husband of over 30 artistry of both design and photography. In late 2008, I created my years, her loyal dog very first digital collage using my own photos and Adobe Creative Frida and two cats. Suite. I quickly realized that the possibilities were endless and ten years later I am still chasing that elusive vision of the perfect image. So today, I call myself a digital artist. Of course, this means eating the words of my 20-year-old self: “I will never create art on a computer”. Let’s face it, the world has changed; the rules have changed and I can live with that. Leslie is honored to have been included in the 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019 People’s Gallery at Austin City Hall. She has participated in dozens of exhibits over the last couple of years, including several shows featuring digital art. She won an honorable mention in the Round Rock Arts BIG Show in 2018. She also created custom artwork that was featured on the Georgetown Arts and Cultural Guide two years in a row. She has an active exhibit schedule planned for 2019, including a solo show at the “... your art takes us in places that are like time. It feels like memories, but of something Elisabet Ney Museum for FotoATX. Currently, her works can be found hanging in various venues and juried shows around the state as well as in galleries where she is we might not actually be able to remember. Quite astonishing!” —VC represented. 2 ARTIST STATEMENT My artwork is created using an original technique that synthesizes the artistry of design and photography. I work with natural forms to create The space between surreal environments in which my photos are assembled into the spaces reality and illusion and patterns of my designs. As the imagery interacts to create the is where the magic highlights, shadows and contours of the new image, it unfolds to deeper happens. It’s in discoveries within the composition. Because each piece may use up to that moment when a dozen photographs, there is always something new to encounter. they slide into each Mazes, passageways and mirrors captivate my surrealist sensibilities and other and produce drive the design concept of these illusionary pieces. My photography is an otherness, a captured at every opportunity and selected based on theme, location, sublime encounter. color and texture. Much of my work mixes natural elements with architectural components. I use recurring themes of water, light, and reflection. I find the shimmering images and ephemeral changes of light to be a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of our visions. The works are grouped into collections based on a favorite artist or song. Then each piece is named from a lyrical phrase relating to the collection theme. My art is optimistic and celebrates beauty. The complex and layered works are meant to be visual encounters that reveal a place you might not recognize—but somehow, have been waiting to visit. Time is on Our Side, In-Between Collection 4 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 IN-BETWEEN Growing Day by Day COLLECTION In-Between Collection Vistas provide a vantage point that highlights the relationship of our own presence in space with the mysteries of a far-off horizon. The sensation of our unique memories and experiences layered with possibilities of the Where We’re Going, unseen is dizzying. In-Between Collection These images seek the shadowed realities that can not be seen until we reach the apex and look back, revealing the echoes of lifetimes playing across the topography. It’s in the space that lies in- between that we find where we belong. Come Along, In-Between Collection 6 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 COME CLOSER See Through COLLECTION Me, Come Closer Collection As always, my goal is to create imagery that draws you in and leaves you with a feeling of discovery. In this series I’ve used shapes that create a I Held My unique vantage point Breath, Come Closer that allows you to Collection experience one space while peering into another. The titles comes from “On The Way Home” by Neil Young. Can You Feel It Now, Come Closer Collection 8 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 MYSTIC COLLECTION I cannot deny my tendencies towards surrealism with this collection, nor my leanings towards the sublime. As with most of my work, water and light play an important role as well as the little creatures that can be discovered. Feel the Sky, One More Dream, Mystic Collection Mystic Collection, (Artist Master) 10 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 INFINITY COLLECTION Mazes and mirrors captivate my surrealist side and drive the design concept of these illusionary pieces. The shimmering images and ephemeral changes of light work together to create an altered vision of reality. The collection is optimistic and celebrates wonder while creating an encounter that reveals a fresh glimpse into Paradise Waits, Infinity Collection a new world of endless possibilities. “Working with more than a dozen layers of digital images, Austin artist Leslie Kell creates an intense feeling and a visual memory unlike any other art form with her highly expressive works.” –VV Wings Spread Bright, Infinity Collection 12 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 CREATIVE PROCESS “Inspiration comes in many forms. Sometimes you see it coming, like the day I stepped into a Hall of Mirrors in San Antonio”. The creation of an image begins in the sketchbook and is developed into a line drawing. Images are selected to fill the spaces. Photos are based not only on theme, subject matter, and location, but also for color, texture, value, and design. Most of the photos for “Into the Sun” were captured in Alaska. As the images are layered and combined into the spaces of the drawing and the process progresses, the image begins to emerge. Into the Sun, Infinity Collection (Artist Master) 14 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 ARTIST CUSTOM MASTERS PRINTS A selection of my My images are highly images are transformed flexible and can be into “Artist Masters”. adapted to provide Each Artist Master is an unique options for original, one-of-a-kind collectors ranging from creation. An archival museum quality one- canvas is printed and Once in a Lifetime, of-a-kind Artist Masters hand-stretched, then Mindscape Collection. to limited-edition prints Custom print on canvas. paint and textural on fine art paper to elements are added. open editions on metal, The piece is finished Feel the Sky, canvas and more. with enhanced framing Mystic Collection Custom triptych I offer virtual hangings (custom designed for on canvas. to my collectors and each individual piece) clients so we can work to create a somewhat together to fill the space sculptural presentation. In a Place of Mirrors, Mystic just right. Collection, (Artist Master) Once a design is All of my prints are produced as an produced with archival Artist Master, it is not museum-grade materials reproduced in the Where We’re Going, and hand signed. same way again. In-Between Collection. Custom print on canvas. All works come with a signed Certificate of Authenticity. Spring from Night, Infinity Collection, (Artist Master) 16 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 CUSTOM ART DIFFERENT WORLDS FOTOATX Through my unique FotoATX is a month-long technique I am able celebration showcasing to create customized Austin photographers artwork to capture in libraries, galleries, specific locations, and community centers special events and across the city. various themes for both In this solo exhibition, commercial and private presented by the collections. Elisabet Ney Museum, I also offer image I created a custom licensing of my images. triptych centerpiece that mirrors the museum’s rich history and honors the vibrant spirits that fill the space. The installation offers a view that can only be experienced by stepping into this different world. 18 lesliekell.com | [email protected] | 512.917.0104 PRESS PRESS all over creation FOLLO Link & Pin's Newest Exhibition Soars on Digital Wings Local artists offer a show that overclocks the eyes with beauty. READ BY WAYNE ALAN BRENNER, 4:45PM, TUE. AUG. 5 You know how easy it is to do so many things badly, of course: We all know that. AUSTIN And you know that the easier a system is to operate, the LAKE AUSTIN more people will attempt to operate it; and that the more CHRONICLE people attempting to operate a system, the more LIFESTYLE mediocrity will creep into the results of that operation. That's just human nature: Few of us give enough of a “Kell’s working the damn to put sufficient effort into available industries. “The pieces are large, muscular and And so, when technology affords more convenient sort of high-level access to formerly hardwon creative tools, more lazy energize the space around them in fools will use that technology casually, without graphic wizardry that’s expending sufficient thought or energy or time in a way that combines extravagance exploration of its parameters and possibilities.