About Artist Kelly Raab
While I continue to pursue success in my art, which I define as creating interesting and unique work I have certainly found a passion which gives greater meaning and depth to my life.
The influences on art work are a diverse collection of experiences that all come together to form my life’s story. They include my formal studies in art at the Norwich Free Academy as well as the Mosaic Art School in Ravenna, Italy. In addition to formal classroom and studio work, my influences have come from training and caring for marine mammals and exotic cats, my marriage of over 32 years and raising two wonderful children who have allowed me to see and appreciate the world through the eyes of a child. These experiences have been coupled with my ability to visit a number of galleries around the world that have exposed me to the art of many cultures and civilizations. Another very important influence is the effect that my adopted home of Santa Fe, New Mexico has had on my life and my art. New Mexico is called “The Land of Enchantment” and with good reason. With each and every sunrise and sunset, the majesty of the mountains and the strong influence of its multicultural people plays an important role in my journey as an artist.
My experience in the field of art can be best described as a coming together of my formal training as well as self-taught experimentation. In my studio I utilize a mixed media approach with a strong emphasis on acrylics and Venetian plasters. My artistic philosophy is one of both visual and somatosensory or touching experience. Bold colors coupled with highly textural layers will hopefully move people to both view, touch and feel my work.
As I look back on my experiences and also to the future, I can offer two comments on my artistic insights or the techniques that I employ. Unlike many career paths there is no one right answer or approach to art, it is not an equation and it does not follow a set policy or guideline. Art is the expression and application of human creative skill and imagination and if you achieve success your work will be appreciated and judged primarily for its beauty and emotional power. A technique for achieving work that creates beauty and a level of emotion is accomplished with an open mind and through experimentation over countless hours in a studio.