Charlotte Kelly

Charlotte Kelly was born and lives in Galway. While practising as a nurse she completed her N.D.A.D.in 2002. In June 2005 she resigned from her nursing career to paint and draw full time.

Drawing is the key factor to all of her work. Strong influences of Sean Mc Sweeney, Patrick Collins and Tony O'Malley are evident in her painting.

Charlotte's work has evolved from the traditional to the abstract. These days she paints as the need is so strong that it cannot be ignored. She works mainly in oils and nearly always in silence. Charlotte finds it spiritually gratifying to express herself through her paintings, working with the oil paints, mixing the colours, considering the texture and letting her imagination take over. Initially her work is immediate, covering the canvas vigorously, letting it sit, then nurturing it until it reaches its full potential.

Having deep intimacy with the earth and its changing shapes and forms gives a real feeling of spirituality and emotion. Driven by a sense of quietness, these shapes have been moulded into a figuritive form.

Nurturing the work rather than insisting on immediacy.

As the poet John O'Donohue wrote,

         "Each tree grows in two directions at once,

        into the darkness and out to the light,

        With as many branches and roots as it

        Needs to embody its wild desires".

                                              Angel 11    oil on canvas    24"x 18"

 SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2002 Tulca Festival.                 Townhall Theatre,Galway.

2003  " Cul an Tì "                    N.U.I.G.

2004   Drawing 

          Exhibition                       Galway Arts Centre.

2004  " West,

          Nothwest "                     Mayo General Hospital.

2006  Christmas

          Exhibition                        The James Gallery, Exchequer St., Dublin 2.

2007 " The Art

        of Therapy "                       Inis Aoibhinn, Galway.

2007  Drawing

         Exhibition                          Galway City Museum.

2008  Eìgse Open.                      Carlow.

2008  Royal Ulster

         Academy.                            Belfast.

2008 " Faith in Form "                 Carmelite Friary Centre, Kinsale, Co. Cork.

                                                    Kinsale, Co. Cork.

2009 Boyle Arts Festival              King House, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.  

2009 Ealaìon at lùnasa               Galway Arts Centre.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2005 "Soul Search"        Tuar Ard Arts Centre, 

                                      Moate.

2006 "Transcending       

          Light"                  Kennys Gallery, Galway.

2009 "Light and

          Silence"              Kennys Gallery, Galway.

COLLECTIONS 

Bank of Ireland, Hibernian Insurance.

COMMISSIONS   

O.P.W. Courthouse, Clifden,

Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone.

Angel 1

oil on canvas 30"x 24"

Angel 111

oil on canvas 24"x 18"