About
Kelli McGregor is a professional artist who began her artistic career later in life than most, her experience in architectural design heightened her awareness of space and negative shapes and of the compositional dynamic they create. Kelli combines training in design with an unerring sense of the aesthetic to produce her striking figurative paintings. While they are essentially studies in composition and colour, her images convey a feeling of the warmth and energy that is evocative of the Australian lifestyle. Her landscape paintings not only encapsulate the essential elements, colours and features of the Australian landscape, but also recreate the ambience and the 'feel' of being there. Typically, her work is exuberant, vibrant, confident and eye-catching. Most pieces are charged with positive energy, and overflow with dazzling colour.Born in country Victoria Kelli later lived in a number of places including Perth and Alice Springs and Darwin before finally moving to settle in the Fraser Coast QLD, where she is now based.Full time practicing visual artist, trading from a purpose built studio / workshop in Maryborough. The practice encompasses services and products ranging from art tuition workshops to the production of original high-quality artworks for art award entry and for sale through exhibition at local and national art galleries. Feature artist for ‘Colour in your life’ TV programme. Mixed media demonstrator for Artists Palette magazine.
RATS (Regional Artists & Tutors) Founder and co-ordinator for community projects.
Arts representative on the Maryborough ‘Imagine this City’ community forum.
Fraser Coast Region facilitator for Creative regions ‘Afloat’ project.
Fraser Coast Region Arts Alliance committee member (Marketing & Promotion)
I'm fascinated to see how people react to both their environment and with each other, so I try to express body language and mood rather than a realistic image. I didn't set out to be an environmental artist or to create artwork relating to social commentary but I do want to capture the relationship we have with our natural environment. During developmental stages I experiment with many techniques and colours, seeking materials and textures that might express my emotional response to the research I’m gathering. I create a series of pen and ink studies, feeling my way into the series, assessing my emotions and the story I want to tell.
CV
Kelli has exhibited her works at:2013 – Doug Moran Portrait Prize – (Selected semi-finalist)2013 – Bundaberg Art Awards – (First prize Regional Council award)2012 – White Canvas Gallery – Solo Show titled ‘Brown Sugar’2012 – VIC Hervey Bay – Wide Bay TAFE Teachers Group exhibition2012 – Brisbane Art Expo 2012 – Feature artist with ‘Colour in your life’ team2012 – Graydon Gallery – Group Show ‘Kalaji Arts’2012 – Gatakers Artspace – Wide Bay TAFE Teachers Group show titled ‘In search of inspirations’2012 – Gatakers Artspace – Solo show titled ‘In search of inspirations’2011 – Childers Artspace – Solo show titled ‘First Impressions’2011 – Kenilworth Art Prize – Selected as finalist2011 – Gympie Regional Gallery – Solo show titled ‘Hinterland Harmony’2011 – Brisbane Sensis Art – 32st Rotary Art Spectacular2011 – Bribie Island Community Arts Centre – Group Show ‘Kalaji Arts’2011 – Cooroy Butter Factory – Group Show ‘Kalaji Arts’2010 – Martin Galleries Brisbane – Solo Show titled ‘People & Places’2010 – Brisbane Sensis Art – 31st Rotary Art Spectacular2010 – Hyatt Regency Coolum – 2010 Art Market2010 – Noosa Marina – Group show ‘Coastal Art Awards’2010 – Women in Art, Montville – Group show2010 – Kenilworth Annual Art Award – Group Show2010 – Gympie Gold Rush Art Awards – Group Show (Judged ‘Best Acrylic / Oil 2010)2009 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Curated show titled ‘The Market Crowd’2009 – Framed Gallery Darwin – Solo Exhibition titled ‘ Time & Tide’2009 – Women in Art, Montville – Group show (Judged ‘Best Acrylic’ 2009)2009 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Curated show titled ‘Lyrical Landscape’2009 – Art Direct, Mapleton – Feature artist ‘ Hinterland Harmony’ 2008 – Harriet Space – Solo Exhibition titled Ëdgewater2008 - Woods St Gallery – Group show titled ‘A Sense of Place’2008 – Parliament House - Portrait of a senior Territorian 20082008 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Curated show titled ‘Cool Change’2008 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Solo Exhibition titled ‘Edgewater II’2007 – Framed Gallery - Christmas show2007 – Gallery Sometimes – Shop front feature artist2007 – Woods St Gallery - DVAA Committee show2006 – Woods St Gallery - DVAA members show2006 - Palmerston Festival – PCAN group show2005 – Parliament House - Portrait of a senior Territorian2005 – Territory Colours – Solo exhibition titled ‘Body Lang
Testimonials
"Very Persceptive" 4/5 stars Keith Buhr Kelli is very perceptive in identifying issues you know you have but unsure of how to solve them. She is quick to suggest a method to solve the problem which in some cases has meant a "major" redo but in the end, the product you originally set out to do is therePros: Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"relaxed teaching style" 5/5 stars Kathryn Bourke Always a welcoming and encouraging teacher with a variety of interesting course options.Pros: Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"A good learning experience" 4/5 stars Jan WilsonKelli gave good clear instruction in her demonstrations. She also gave encouraging comments to people of all levels in assessing their work. She also pushed students a little beyond their boundaries to try different approaches. The final day was more experimental and everyone had fun.Pros: Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"A wonderful artist and teacher" 5/5 stars Janet Revill Kelli is an ideal teacher - she is patient, very thorough in her explanations and demonstrations and besides being an amazing artist herself - she is fun to be around, light-hearted, spontaneous and very encouraging! Proof of this is that her students return again and again for her tuition!Pros: Helpful, Encouraging, Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"Great Learning Experience" 5/5 stars Coralie BrydenI have attended several Workshops at Kelli's Art and regularly attend her Mentoring classes. I find Kelli to be a knowledgeable and engaging teacher with a pleasant informal delivery. I think the key to her success is that she doesn't just tell students what to do, but shows them and follows up with one-on-one constructive help. Classes are informal, informative, reasonably priced, and fun. This is a perfect mix for painters of all levels, and I highly recommend the experience Pros: Helpful, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"relaxed teaching style" 5/5 stars Kathryn Bourke Always a welcoming and encouraging teacher with a variety of interesting course options.Pros: Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"A good learning experience" 4/5 stars Jan WilsonKelli gave good clear instruction in her demonstrations. She also gave encouraging comments to people of all levels in assessing their work. She also pushed students a little beyond their boundaries to try different approaches. The final day was more experimental and everyone had fun.Pros: Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"A wonderful artist and teacher" 5/5 stars Janet Revill Kelli is an ideal teacher - she is patient, very thorough in her explanations and demonstrations and besides being an amazing artist herself - she is fun to be around, light-hearted, spontaneous and very encouraging! Proof of this is that her students return again and again for her tuition!Pros: Helpful, Encouraging, Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
"Great Learning Experience" 5/5 stars Coralie BrydenI have attended several Workshops at Kelli's Art and regularly attend her Mentoring classes. I find Kelli to be a knowledgeable and engaging teacher with a pleasant informal delivery. I think the key to her success is that she doesn't just tell students what to do, but shows them and follows up with one-on-one constructive help. Classes are informal, informative, reasonably priced, and fun. This is a perfect mix for painters of all levels, and I highly recommend the experience Pros: Helpful, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun, Good communicatorHow was this location?: OK How was the price?: Great valueI would recommend this teacher
