Following on the heels of our first Op-Ed piece this week, we’re pleased to launch a more formal Q&A series with interesting Erie people. We’ve done some before (here and here), but I hope to make it a much more regular feature.

This weeek we’re talking with local blogger and artist Toni Kelly. You can see some of her work at her Flickr stream.

I had a chance to meet Toni at one of the very first Erie Blogger Meet-Ups and she’s as nice as can be, and an amazing artist as well. She has several paintings being shown as part of the Kelly Run Gallery’s Holiday Open House and Exhibit. The show also features work by Mark Guanzon, Peggy Spaulding, Rick James, Don O’Day and Jan Lutz. The exhibit and open house is this Sunday, November 17 from 1 to 4 p.m., so you’ve got plenty of time to get to the show and get home in time for the Steelers-Jets game.

Toni took a few minutes out of her show preparations to answer some questions.

ErieBlogs.com: I know you work in many different types of mediums, but tell me
about your painting background.

Toni Kelly: I began creating watercolors in the mid 70′s after taking classes at the Erie Art Center. My early work reflected the countryside and farm I lived on with my two toddler boys. In the 80′s I was introduced to Calligraphy and started to combine watercolors and the lettering arts in paintings. In ’96 I started taking workshops in painting and calligraphy at conferences that are held across the US. I also take workshops in Pittsburgh every year through the calligraphy guild.

A lot of my painting background comes from the calligraphy workshops were we learned how to create painting backgrounds for our lettering. About three years ago I began taking an interest in botanicals and was introduced to painting on vellum (calf skin) at a weekend workshop in Pittsburgh at the Phipps Conservatory. Since then I have had a strong interest in nature painting. I still find myself going back to the watercolors but also like to paint with acrylic ink.

EB: Do you prefer painting over other mediums?

TK: I love to paint and draw. For me they go together.

EB: What’s your process like? How do you come up with an idea and how
long until you have a finished piece you’re happy with?

TK: With the nature paintings I like to get out and take photos for reference. I will also sketch from nature especially flowers.

Sometimes an idea will come from a sketch I did. I look at color, shapes and texture in nature when coming up with ideas also. Once I know my subject matter I then decide how to create it. I allow my intuition to guide me to use watercolors or another medium. Sometimes a collage is best. I have learned to take my time while painting. You have to get up and walk away sometimes and come back to it later. Doing this helps you see elements you were not seeing before. Most smaller pieces take me 2 – 3 days before I am happy with it and say it is done.

EB: Do you have a theme for the works you’re displaying in the show? Or
is there an overall theme for the show?

TK: Nature such as birds, butterflies and flowers were my theme for this show.
There was not an assigned theme over all but most of the work from the other artists is nature related.

EB: What’s your take on Erie’s art scene?

TK: We have diverse, talented, exceptional artists in our area. The gallery nights that started this year have been a great way to expose our community to the arts. I would love to see more open studios where the public could spend a weekend traveling to artists work spaces and see demos to learn more about their craft.

The show opens Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m at Kelly Run Studio in Cambridge Springs. Here’s a map to help you find it.

View Larger Map