Canadian artist Kelly Dodge regards her inspirations and talent as gifts from God and considers it a great blessing to be surrounded by this natural world of beauty and discovery.

Kelly had her first exhibition as a professional artist in 2001. The event marked the beginning of a fast rising career that has garnered both national and international recognition. She is a signature member of the Artists for Conservation (AFC), the Pastel Society of America, and the Society of Animal Artists, N.Y. In 2004 she was deemed an ‘Artist of Note’ by Wildlife Art magazine. In 2009 she received the prestigious AFC Flag Expedition Fellowship enabling her to travel to the Galapagos Islands for the purposes of artistic field research. She has also been awarded the AFC Medal of Excellence twice, once in 2010 and again in 2011. This award is given annually in recognition of extraordinary artwork.

Primarily painting in pastel*, Kelly’s use of this medium is noteworthy, not only in the sense of achieving a personal style, but also from the perspective of a technique that pushes the material to a fullness more often associated with paint mediums such as oil. The directness of her approach is decisive, and demonstrates a confidence that only comes with mastering one’s medium coupled with an intimate knowledge of the chosen subject matter. Both attributes are testimony to a commitment to quality and authenticity that Kelly arrives at as a direct extension of her innate personality.

Kelly paints in her private studio in the home she shares with her husband Brad. Ideally located in rural Lakefield, Ontario, creation’s inspiration beckons at her door. "My art is a celebration of the privileged place I hold in partnership with my fellow creatures and my Creator." ~ Kelly Dodge   *The Pastel Medium Pure powdered pigment is ground into a paste with a small amount of gum binder then rolled into sticks. The infinite variety of colours in Pastel range from soft and subtle to strong and brilliant. An artwork is created by stroking the sticks of dry pigment across an abrasive ground, embedding the colour in the “tooth” of the surface. Pastel paintings reflect light like a prism. No other medium has the same colour power. Pastel that has not been sprayed with fixative contains no liquid binder that may cause other media to darken, yellow or crack with time. Pastels from the 16th century exist today as fresh as the day they were painted. Edgar Degas was the most prolific user of Pastel and its champion. His protegee, Mary Cassatt introduced Pastels to the Impressionists. Today, Pastel has the same stature of oil and watercolours as a fine art medium. Many of our most renowned living artists have distinguished themselves in Pastel, enriching the art world with this beautiful medium.