Kelly Williams

ARTIST STATEMENT

We all have a story; secrets, experiences and deep emotions that can be difficult to articulate or express. I am fascinated by the multiple layers of identity - how they interplay, conflict and create my unique understanding of the world. Painting allows me to engage and express, to process and give form to the complexities of my own textured mind.

BIOGRAPHY

As a painter, Kelly is best known for her encaustic paintings (hot beeswax, resin and pigment). Over time, her process has continued to evolve into a mixed media approach as she explores and experiments with style, scale, abstract and figurative, constantly challenging herself to find a physical form that expresses the psychological experience.

With an education in psychology and social science and a background working with traumatized children, Kelly found art to be a powerful tool in helping facilitate communication around that which is unspeakable. As a full time self-taught artist, she incorporates similar methods in her own process as well as working with individuals and small groups in a studio setting.

She continues to educate and mentor both amateur and professional artists in using art as a personal and creative development tool. This focus on exploring psychological inquiry, personal narrative and cultural issues informs her studio practice, workshops and private sessions.

Kelly has been collected and exhibited locally and nationally. She has also curated large-scale exhibitions at P5 (Portland Center for the Performing Arts), and been featured in multiple publications and v/blogs, including Art in the Pearl Magazine and the R&F Handmade Paint Blog. In interviews, on radio, television and as a presenter at the International Encaustic Conference, she has shared her unique approach and experience in using art as a healing tool affecting individuals and their communities.