Artist Statement and CV
Kelly Steller Hrad is a contemporary abstract painter who expresses her thoughts on canvas through multiple mediums from acrylic to 3-Dimensional oil and beyond. Her artwork is an expression of life through color and line that captivates the eye with rich vivid layers. Her distinctive style exudes joy, peace and expresses a vibrant spirit that emanates off the canvas.
For Kelly, art is a lifelong journey. She has always loved color, creating, imagining, and exploring the arts. Growing up there were countless road trips that offered the time to appreciate the art of nature, architecture, museums, and galleries. As the miles rolled by from sunrise to sunset, Kelly took in the mountains, valleys, canyons, and prairies. Stashing these stunning visuals away in her memory. Decades later she now draws on those memories to inspire her work.
Kelly’s hope is that her journey will create a pause, a connection and a conversation that enhances someone else's journey.
Influences — Martha Bacon—art instructor, The Impressionists, Expressionists, Georgia O’Keefe, and local artists JD Miller and Lea Fisher. Nature is always an influence—the universe has its own special techniques for creating the most beautiful pieces of art.
Education —Public School and Private painting and art instruction over the last 30+ years. Fashion Merchandising degree with arts emphasis at Baker University. Private instruction with Dawn Petty - Plano, JD Miller—Samuel Lynne Galleries Dallas, and Maciej Maga—Studio Maga, Dallas.
Experience — Solo Shows at Baker University Baldwin City Kansas 2019 and The Art Centre of Plano 2018. Ginger Fox Gallery-Dallas, Ten 20 Gallery-Plano, PAA Member Show People’s Choice Winner (2018), Regional Shows in Richardson and Irving. Exhibited at NM State Fair, Blue Ribbon winner in medium. Installations and commissions in corporate and retail settings, and private residences.
Artistic Philosophy — Kelly reflects on what she loves, what life has been lived thus far. Letting the paint, brush and palette knife clear the mind and do the communicating for her. Never being afraid of color, a little or a lot. Art is everywhere—it’s all in how your mind’s eye sees it, plays with it, expresses it and reflects the soul.
Techniques — Combination of oils and acrylic with a variety of mediums and application tools to create dimensional texture and movement on the canvas. The Reflectionist technique uses the thick application of oil using painting knives to create endless textures on the canvas.
Accomplish with art — Express emotions and memories through color, texture, and movement. Observe, remember, share, discuss and reflect to be inspired.
Professional Affiliations — Art Centre of Plano, Board of Directors - ArtCentre of Plano, Plano Art Association, Visual Art League of Allen.
Exhibitions and Galleries
2024 Goodrich Gallery at First United Methodist Dallas, TX
2023 TheGallery Miami - Lamborghini @ Art Basel Miami Beach, FL
2023 Lamborghini Lounge, New York, New York
2023 Harrington Library, Plano, TX
2023 Serendipity Labs - Plano Legacy West, Plano, TX
2023 Texas Health Plano X ArtCentre of Plano Pop Up Exhibition Plano, TX
2023 35th Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council—Juried Show Texarkana, TX
2023 -24 Venture X - Braniff Center, Dallas, TX
2023 Cox Playhouse - Spirit Level Production by Rover Dramaworks, Plano, TX
2023 VIVID: at d’Art - Norfolk, VA
2023 Art Centre of Sarasota Juried Member show - Sarasota, FL
2023 ArtCentre of Plano Stairwell Gallery - Plano, TX
2022 -23 Giddens Gallery, Resident Artist - Grapevine, TX
2022 The Biennial Project , Venice Italy
2022 Fresh Ideas, Lewisville Art League, Lewisville, TX
2022 Strata Gallery - Fragments Juried Exhibition - Santa Fe, NM
2022 Plano Art Association Member Juried Show - Plano, TX
2022 34th Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council—Juried Show Texarkana, TX
2022 Las Laguna Gallery—Women in Art—Laguna, CA
2022 ArtSpace 111 9th Annual Juried Show—Fort Worth, TX
2022 O’Hanlon Center—Strictly Abstract Mill Valley, CA
2022 Las Laguna Gallery—Golden 50 Show Laguna, CA
2022 Art Center Sarasota—Faces and Places Sarasota, FL
2022 ArtCentre of Plano—Pop Up of the Online Gallery Plano, TX
2022 Baldwin National Juried Exhibition Baldwin City, KS
2022 Plano Art Association Member Show, Plano, TX
2023 ArtCentre of Plano - Make Room for Color Solo Exhibition Plano, TX
2021 Art in the Atrium– City of Frisco Frisco, Texas
2021-22 Ellison Valencia Gallery Bishop Arts Dallas, Texas
2021 Art Centre of Plano—For the Love of Art 40th Anniversary Plano, TX
2021 Plano Art Association Member Show—Courtyard Theater Plano, TX
2020-23 Spa at II Creeks— Richardson, TX
2020 ArtCentre of Plano For the Love of Art Great Art Escape—Plano TX
2020 The Commons @ Neighborhood Goods Legacy West—Plano, TX
2020 54nd Richardson Civic Art Society Juried Art Exhibition and Sale—Richardson, TX
2020 35th Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition—Irving TX
2020 Plano Art Association Member Show –Art Center of Plano February –March 2020
2019 Color Brick Road Solo Exhibition Holt Russell Gallery at Baker University October 2019
2019-23 Roche Bobois Showroom Dallas , TX
2019 Ten 20 Gallery Pop UP Unity in Art @ Event 1013 Plano—June 2019
2019 Plano Art Association Member Show—Art Centre of Plano February—March 2019
2018 Life In Color—A Solo Show ArtCentre of Plano October 5th—December 1st 2018
2018 Plano Art Association 125 Show –Richardson TX
2018 52nd Richardson Civic Art Society Juried Art Exhibition and Sale—Richardson, TX
2018 33rd Texas and Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition—Irving TX
2018-21 Connect Gallery Carrollton, TX
2018 Blue House Too—VALA Florescence Show—Allen, TX
2018 Plano Art Association Member Show— Plano, TX
2017 Blue House Too—VALA Increscent Show—Allen, TX
2016-17 Ten20 Gallery Plano, TX
2015-16 Ginger Fox Gallery Dallas, TX
Commissions
2023 Lamborghini Dallas, Dallas, TX Ad Personam 3-Dimensional Oil, Sintra, Automotive Paint and Diamond Dust
2023 Matt M, Plano, TX Track Limits Victory Lap Series 3-Dimensional Oil
2023 M. Kepler, Albuquerque, NM Forever Friends 3-Dimensional Oil
2023 Dr. D. Russell, Lawrence, KS Time to Ponder 3-Dimensional Oil
2023 Wright Family, Biloxi, Mississippi Tutti I Colori 3-Dimensional Oil, Sintra, Auto Paint and Diamond Dust
2023 Shala Yoga Loft, Plano, TX Pranayama 3-Dimensional Oil
2023 Patrick Family, Colleyville, TX Strength in Number Linear Gravity Pentaptych
2023 Redmond Family, Albuquerque, NM Rejoice 3-Dimensional Oil
2022 Xpert Films Addison , TX Texas, My Texas 3-Dimensional Oil Rippling Texas Flag
2022 Redmond Family, Albuquerque, NM Light Unto My Path Linear Gravity
2022 Saxton’s Garage Dallas TX- Lone Star 3-Dimensional Oil Rippling Texas Flag
2022 Private Collector Frisco, TX 6 painting Gallery Wall Collage Linear Gravity and Oils
2022 Private Collector Plano, TX Happy Hour 3 Dimensional Oil
2021 LVMH Corporation - Louis Vuitton Boutique Legacy West Plano Texas Rayee 1872 Linear Gravity Acrylic
2021 Private Collector Dallas, TX Double Down 3D Oil on Canvas
2021 Mr. Waldron Dallas, TX Monet All Day Triptych 3-D Oil on Canvas
2021 Ms. Hannah Wright Bentonville, AR Forever Hannah3D Oil on Canvas
2021 Wright Family Gather Together Triptych Linear Gravity Acrylic
2021 Mr. and Mrs Nick Stoubis, Burbank, CA Somewhere Over the Rainbow Triptych Linear Gravity Acrylic
2021 Mr. Sean Flynn, Carrollton, TX Deep in the Heart 3D Oil on Canvas
2021 Margaret Kepler, Albuquerque, NM Blenko 3D Oil on Canvas
2020 Ms. Tristine Zanotto, San Francisco, CA Evening Fog 3D Oil on Canvas
2019 Private Collector, Dallas, TX Chromatic Savana Triptych Acrylic on Canvas
2019 Ms. Tristine Zanotto, San Francisco, CA Beach Crasher and Morning Fog 3D Oil on Canvas
2019 Mr. and Mrs. Kal Crawford, Irving, TX Intersteller Acrylic on Canvas
2019 Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Margolis, Plano, TX Tranquility 3D Oil on Canvas
2018 Private Collector, Plano , TX Purple Borealis, 3D Oil on Canvas
2018 Private Collector, Carrollton, TX Connected Acrylic on Canvas
2019 Margaret Kepler, Albuquerque, NM Color Me Margaret, 3D Oil on Canvas
2017 Mr. and Mrs. Derek Stutsman, Los Gatos, CA Power of Attraction, Acrylic on Canvas
2017 Cody Ellison, Collector Dallas, TX Opposites Attract Oil on 3D Oil on Canvas
2016 Refuge for Women North Texas Denton Set Free 3D Oil on Canvas
2016 Texas A&M University Mothers Club Aggie Storm, Acrylic on Canvas
2016 Mr. and Mrs. C. Chandler Allen, TX Pedal to the Metal Acrylic on Canvas
2016 Bishop Ranch, Dallas, TX Fly Me to the Moo, Acrylic on Canvas
2016 Stronger Than Espresso, McKinney, TX Desert Bloom, 3D Oil on Canvas
2016 Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Shepardson, Huntley, IL Cubs Win!!!, 3D Oil on Canvas
2017 Toni Richardson, Dallas, TX Pinky Acrylic on Canvas - inspired by Pink Floyd
2015 Santa Fe Chevrolet, Santa Fe, NM Adventure Road Oil on Canvas
2015 Jack Peggs, Collector Wichita, KS Metallica Acrylic on Canvas
2014 Connect Technology Group, Carrollton, TX Controlled Kaos Diptych—Acrylic on Canvas
2014 Ken Valencia—Retail lounge, Dallas, TX Don’t Fence Moo In Acrylic on Canvas
2014 Cody Ellison—Retail lounge, Dallas, TX Zen Lines Acrylic on Canvas
Media
KellyStellerHrad.com
www.facebook.com/KellyStellerHradArt/
Instagram KellyStellerHrad
society6.com/kellystellerhradart
Education
Bachelor of Arts—Baker University Baldwin City, KS
Private Study—Albuquerque NM Martha Bacon
Private Study—Plano, TX Dawn Petty
Private Study—Dallas, TX JD Miller
Private Study—Dallas, TX Maciej Maga
Professional Affiliations
Art Centre of Plano- Board of Directors and Treasure
For the Love of Art - Artist of the Year 2019
Plano Art Association
Visual Art League of Allen—Allen Art Alliance
Personal Affiliations
Baker University Alumni Association
Alpha Chi Omega Alumnae
