Kelly Dodge SAA, AFC, PSA, PSC Canadian artist Kelly Dodge regards her inspirations and artistic talent as gifts from God and considers it a great blessing to be surrounded by this natural world of beauty and wonder. Each of her paintings has something specific to say, communicating the essence of creation in simplicity and truth. In what has been a whirlwind career as a professional artist whose first show was in 2001, Dodge has achieved much recognition internationally. In 2003/2004 she was elected to full signature membership with the Society of Animal Artists, The Pastel Society of America and The Pastel Society of Canada. She has been a signature member with Artists for Conservation since 2001, a community of world-class artists whose mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation through art that celebrates our natural heritage.

Primarily painting in pastel, Dodge is perhaps best known for her ongoing focus on birds often combined inspirationally with traditional Christian hymns. She has also garnered much popularity with a second series, pastel paintings portraying breathtaking views of the constellations. Since 2007, this series has raised funds for Ducks Unlimited Canada through their National Art Portfolio for wetland conservation in Canada.

Dodge has had the opportunity to explore the Southern Hemisphere flora, fauna and skies in Kenya in 2005, while in the summer of 2007; Dodge was the accompanying artist on a AFC Flag Expedition to the Indian Himalayas. In 2008 she journeyed on a scouting mission with her husband to Ecuador to explore the Galapagos Islands. A highlight of her career is the 2009 fellowship grant award of $5,000, under the AFC Flag Expeditions Program, to return and study the endangered species of the Galapagos Islands while supporting wildlife conservation and environmental education with her art. Her exhibition schedule has included such international shows as the Southeastern Wildlife Art Exhibition, Charleston,S.C., Art for the Animal Kingdom, Bennington, Vermont, Una Exposicion Para la Promocion y Conservacion, Peru, the Easton Waterfowl Festival, Easton, Md., the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, and most recently the prestigious Artists for Conservation, The Art of Conservation exhibition at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, NJ. Here at home she is represented by Canada’s leading wilderness and wildlife art gallery, The Algonquin Art Centre. Her paintings can be found in many collections at home and abroad.

Kelly paints in her private studio in the home she shares with her husband Brad. Ideally located in rural Lakefield, Ontario, nature’s inspiration beckons at her door.

Organization Membership (since year specified):

2004 - Friends of Algonquin
Algonquin Provincial Park's 7,630 square kilometres of forests, lakes, and rivers have assumed an almost incalculable importance as a living link with a vanishing past.

2004 - Society of Animal Artists
The Society of Animal Artists is an association of animal and wildlife painters and sculptors. Founded in l960, the SAA features membership of some of the finest animal artists from around the world.

2003 - Pastel Society of Canada
The Pastel Society of Canada is a national society devoted to the use of traditional pastel as a fine art medium. Organized under Federal Charter which was granted to a group of professional artists and associates of the arts, the Society is now regarded as a strong voice for Canadian art.

2003 - Pastel Society of America
The Pastel Society of America is a model for standards of excellence well recognized by the art community worldwide. Founded in 1972, it is the oldest pastel society in existence in America.

2003 - Peterborough Field Naturalists

2003 - Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre
Some turtle populations in Ontario are rapidly declining. One of the major causes is road mortality. Experts predict that unless efforts are undertaken to protect native turtles, some species will cease to exist in Ontario. A committee comprised of area environmentalists, veterinarians, and zoo staff and volunteers have opened a trauma and rehabilitation centre at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough, Ontario. Injured native turtles will be treated in order to eventually release them back into the wild.

2003 - Canadian Wildlife Service Permit - Scientific - Salvage

2002 - 2006- Visual Arts Ontario

2002 - The Lindsay Gallery
The Lindsay Gallery
190 Kent Street West
Lindsay, Ontario K9V 2Y6
www.thelindsaygallery.com

2001 - Signature member of Artists for Conservation (formally World Wide Nature Artists Group)
AFC is a non-profit group comprising many of today's most recognized nature artists. Based in Canada, it is the world's leading collective supporting the environment. The AFC's mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental education through art that celebrates our natural heritage.