Kelli McGregor
Painter & Tutor (Maryborough, QLD)

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.

Born in country Victori,a 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. Darwin is where she found a strong and renewed passion for her painting that has lead to her focusing heavily on her art over the past few years. Mainly self-taught Kelli has also built her skills through participation in regular workshops and contact with other creative people.

Kelli recently completed her Diploma in Visual Arts and is now teaching part time at Bundaberg TAFE and has a sucessful workshop prgram running from her private studio.

Artist Statement
My work has evolved continuously, moving from expressionist figurative work through to a range of interpretive and semi realistic landscapes and seascapes. I now find I have turned full circle and I’m again more concerned with composition and line. Acrylic has been my preferred medium, the quick drying time encourages spontaneity and free brush strokes that have become my trademark. Mixed media has recently become a firm favourite, incorporating found objects, charcoal, shellac and pastel into my acrylic works.

Most of my work and techniques have an ‘organic’ feel, they are not landscapes as such but they are about the land. I’m trying to capture that essence of who we are, what makes us feel good. As I’ve become more environmentally aware my palette has changed to reflect my concern and my need to encourage others to think about, and take responsibility for, where we will be in the future.

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. Some of my subject matter is about people's daily routines and is intended as a comment on community. Once you've created a picture, hopefully it can speak for itself….there isn't a right or a wrong message, each person takes something a little different from the same picture.

For information on how to purchase or commission Kelli's work, please contact her below or call 0488 001 314 during business hours.

Contact Kelli McGregor
Visit Kelli McGregor's website

Exhibition History
2012 – Gatakers Artspace – Solo show titled ‘In search of inspirations’
2011 – Childers Artspace – Solo show titled ‘First Impressions’
2011 – Kenilworth Art Prize – Selected as finalist
2011 – Gympie Regional Gallery – Solo show titled ‘Hinterland Harmony’
2011 – Brisbane Sensis Art – 32st Rotary Art Spectacular
2011 – 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 Spectacular
2010 – Hyatt Regency Coolum – 2010 Art Market
2010 – Noosa Marina – Group show ‘Coastal Art Awards’
2010 – Maley Annual Art Prize – Group Show
2010 – Women in Art, Montville – Group show
2010 – Kenilworth Annual Art Award – Group Show
2010 – Gympie Gold Rush Art Awards – Group Show (Judged ‘Best Acrylic / Oil 2010)
2009 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Curated show titled ‘The Market Crowd’
2009 – Darwin Visual Arts – Group show titled ‘A Sense of Place’
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 – Darwin Entertainment Centre - Lions International Conference Show
2008 – Harriet Space – Solo Exhibition titled Ëdgewater
2008 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Solo Exhibition titled ‘Tales of the Top End’
2008 - Woods St Gallery – Group show titled ‘A Sense of Place’
2008 – Parliament House - Portrait of a senior Territorian 2008
2008 – Darwin Entertainment Centre - Feature foyer artist
2008 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Curated show titled ‘Places I have known'
2008 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Curated show titled ‘Cool Change’
2008 – Art Gallery Sunshine Coast – Solo Exhibition titled ‘Edgewater II’
2007 – Woods St Gallery - DVAA Members show
2007 – Palmerston Library - Feature artist
2007 – Framed Gallery - Christmas show
2007 – Gallery Sometimes – Shop front feature artist
2007 – Woods St Gallery - DVAA Committee show
2006 – Woods St Gallery - DVAA members show
2006 – Gallery Sometimes – Shop front feature artist
2006 - Palmerston Festival – PCAN group show
2005 – Parliament House - Portrait of a senior Territorian
2005 – Territory Colours – Solo exhibition titled ‘Body Language’