Timeline

She grew up on a sugar cane farm in Zululand, South Africa, where she began painting at an early age.

After graduating as a Graphic Designer, Kelly has worked for advertising and design companies in South Africa, including working for Durban’s design trend-forecasting company, ‘iti’ under style guru Neville Trickett. She has also spent two years working in London, designing exclusive stationary for Alastair Lockhart’s Walton Street shop.

Kelly then returned to South Africa where she began painting full-time; holding her first show in Johannesburg in October 2003. To her delight all of the paintings were sold. She has also exhibited successfully at Mount Edgecombe Country Club as well as having been selected to exhibit at Pietermaritzburg’s ‘Art in the Park’. Her work has also been featured in South African Conde Nast ‘House and Garden Magazine’.

Kelly adores flowers, particularly orchids, for their fascinating forms. An orchid growing in a gorgeous pot, throws the natural beauty of the plant, together with that of a man-made object. This combination forms a composition which is both decorative and botanical, with the butterflies and calligraphy adding a whimsical touch. The designs on her bird pots were originally inspired by John Gould’s ornithological lithographs. Her paintings are done entirely in watercolours on hand-pressed watercolour paper.