Collection: Katie Kelly Artist Biography and Gallery Collection

Katie Kelly has been interested in illustration for as long as she can remember. She began sketching at the age of nine and has been at it ever since. Her parents were incredibly supportive throughout the course of her artistic evolution, allowing her to paint murals on their walls, portraits on furniture, and ink sketches on her jeans. The style of Katie Kelly is best described as happy, whimsical, quirky, and a little bit twisted. She often exaggerates certain elements within her paintings because she feels that unnatural characterizations can evoke stronger emotions than those rendered exactly, enabling people to connect with and understand them from unique perspectives. Katie Kelly likes endowing natural elements such as trees, water, and the sky with human traits while, on the other hand, she gives rigid, almost robotic, qualities to human characters.

For a period of time after graduating, Katie Kelly taught art at a small art academy. Four years later she signed with Disney as a Disney Fine Artist. I am so grateful for such a wonderful experience and to be surrounded by such an incredible and inspiring cast, artists, and guests. "I am excited to be a part of the Disney team," says Katie.  "My relationship with Disney stems from an illustration I created for a book that I am writing." She explains that the painting portrays a Depression-era dinner scene in which a little girl is being served a mountain of sweet treats by a parade of butlers and maids. Her good friend Noah happened to see this piece and was instantly reminded of the Alice in Wonderland tea party. After some collaboration between the two artists, she painted the tea party scene using her own interpretation of the Alice in Wonderland characters. It was from this painting that Katie s unique twist on Disney characters was born.

Katie Kelly says that Disney embodies happiness in every sense of the word and it brings me great joy to be a part of that happiness. Katie believes that art has enabled her to express her inner self to others. “When I am sketching and painting,” she explains, “my mind is clear and I am at peace. I truly enjoy what I do and I hope to convey these feelings to others through my work.” She acknowledges that countless people have helped her along the way and she appreciates their assistance more than words can express. “Someone once told me,” she explains, “that one of the best ways to give back is to use your God-given talents to help others. I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to paint and share it with those around me.”