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Where Nature & Art Link | Jo Ridge Kelley
Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue:
A reverence for nature lies at the heart of Jo Ridge Kelley’s beguiling creations.
T
he art of Jo Ridge Kelley celebrates the exacting and spirited tradition of Plein-Air Painting.
It’s an art form that can be traced back to at least the mid 18th century when landscapists made preliminary oil sketches on the spot, working directly from nature.
And no one in our region expresses it better than Kelley, a studio and Plein air painter who lives and works in Waynesville and Asheville.
Her work is inspired by and reflects her Quaker background, growing up on a dairy farm in Sophia, North Carolina, where she developed an intimate connection with nature. Later in drawing and art studies at UNC Charlotte, she was influenced by the works of the great Impressionist artists – Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
Kelley’s view of Western North Carolina is a study of its mountains, lakes, and lily ponds, painted in ribbons of exuberant hues and texture – an homage to the bond that links art to nature. She is well-known for portraying nature on its terms, taking on heroic subjects such as Whitewater Falls.
Not interested in “describing every detail,” she renders them in a vibrant expressionistic style that utilizes both bold and unexpected color relationships, often on oversized canvases.
The impact of her work is stunning with abstract, yet recognizable images interwoven with an intense palette of deep shadows and lights. The effect of the interplay of these elements forces the viewer to appreciate and ponder the overwhelming splendor and power of the natural world.
She says, “It’s impossible for me to live here surrounded by these ancient mountains and the rising mist and not paint them. I deeply feel the peace and serenity from the mountain top. I will always strive to capture those emotions in my art.”
Kelley’s works are held in private and corporate collections throughout the country and around the globe. She enjoys creating large, commissioned paintings of mountain landscapes, waterfalls, and coastal scenes.
“This is what I love to do and feel very passionate about,” she says. “Bring the beauty and energy of nature inside where you can feel the essence of the place. I want to share the joy of my experience being out there.”
Her work has been featured in regional and national publications including American Art Collector Magazine.
More information can be found at joridgekelley.com.
by Marlene Osteen
