Kellie O’Bosky Colwell
Opening Statement
I am a watercolor painter with deep roots in oil painting and portraiture. My journey began with a series of intimate self-portraits—affectionately called “the original selfies”—created long before the era of smartphones. Using Photo Booth strips as a reference, I captured my own likeness in oil, and those early works were exhibited widely, forming the foundation of my artistic voice.
Today, I work primarily in watercolor, creating what I describe as lifestyle portraits—a genre that encompasses not only people but also the homes, businesses, pets, and beloved places that shape our lives. These portraits are not just representations; they are memory pieces. I strive to capture a moment in time, one that feels fleeting in life but becomes eternal through paint.
Much like Monet in his Giverny garden, which transformed by light throughout the day, I am drawn to the subtle shifts in atmosphere and mood that make the same house, face, or landscape appear differently at each moment. Whether it is the golden glow hitting a front porch at sunset or the way a haircut reshapes a familiar face, I aim to freeze those ephemeral moments in time.
Each painting I create whether it is a childhood home, a cherished family pet, a loved one’s personal milestone, or a favorite landscape is a tribute to memory. These works often become treasured gifts or personal heirlooms, capturing beauty, place, and emotion in a form that lasts forever. In a world of constant change, my paintings offer a way to hold on to what matters most.
To me, every exhibition space where my paintings are shown is a home away from home for my audience. We have the privilege to jump into the wonder of other worlds through the mode of media called artwork. The memories created in the exhibition space are cherished more readily with the beautiful paintings that I have created.