Artist Biography
Kathleen Sienna Kelly has had a remarkable artistic journey, starting with earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration from Paier College of Art in 1987. She found early success as a children's book illustrator and author, getting published right out of college and establishing herself in the field. However, Kathleen's career has spanned far beyond just children's books - she went on to work with the prestigious McGraw Hill Companies, producing educational technology products that showcased her diverse talents. Continuing to hone her craft, Kathleen’s earned a Master of Fine Arts degree, studying under esteemed professors Stephen Brown and Susan Wilmarth-Rabineau. Her experiences at the Hartford Art School inspired her to launch the Developing Artist Institute, LLC, a private art school in Manchester, Connecticut, where she trained a staff of art teachers in a proprietary teaching model to equip next generation artists. Throughout her diverse and accomplished career, Kathleen has consistently demonstrated her mastery of various artistic mediums and her unwavering commitment to inspiring and educating next generation artists. She currently runs a 5-star art program based in Sarasota FL. Which includes a wide range of disciplines from foundations and advanced drawing and painting to digital art, life drawing, character and concept art, and art portfolio development.
Kathleen’s accomplishments have been widely recognized, including her induction into the Manchester Arts Hall of Fame (CT) (2009). Her large-scale Wave Series canvases (including a new original featured in the See The Unseen exhibition) have been included in juried, traveling, and invitational exhibits across the United States at University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, Iowa State University, University of Georgia, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Provincetown Art Association & Museum (PAAM), New Britain Museum of American Art, 621 Gallery in Tallahassee, FL and Art Center Sarasota, FL.
In 2020, Kathleen relocated to the Sunshine State, where she established Sun Sea Originals, LLC, which orchestrates a variety of art-related events, including site specific art programs, exhibits, art workshops, teaching all levels and coaching professional artists. Most recently, Kelly has been named the Artist-in-Residence at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota, where she is showcasing her stunning collection of open-air and studio paintings in a solo exhibit titled "See The Unseen." Beyond her work in traditional media, Kelly has also made a mark in the digital realm, designing, and installing site-specific augmented reality (AR) artworks at the hotel.
Her talents have continued to be recognized. Kathleen just completed her 3rd Artist Survey, “Bays, Lakes and Waterscapes” a portrait of Florida Gulf Coast. This signed open-edition print features a hand-painted map, her canvases - several of which were created by invitation of the Conservation Foundation (Osprey, FL) in the open air conservation land preserves in celebration of CF’s 20th anniversary.