kellygillum

• Kelly Gillum - Artist
• Illustrations
• Press
• Email: kellygillum@sbcglobal.net
• Artist Bio

Kelly Gillum was born in Burnet, Texas in the early Fall. Her parents, Lamar and Jackie were missionaries who traveled overseas to Japan, married and eventually settled in Austin, Texas.  At 8, she tragically lost in father in a car crash.  Her mother, Jackie, a talented pastel artist was left with six children ranging from toddlers to teens.  Although her family was financially challenged her mother managed at times to buy paper and pastels producing beautiful works of art.  This impressed upon Kelly at a young age the importance and utter necessity of art regardless of life‘s circumstances.   The loss of her father deeply saddened her mother and Kelly would often watch her mother draw as a healing escape.  Kelly's gene pool was rich in creativity and  visiting her grandmother in San Antonio was an exceptional treat. Vivian, a nurse by day and in Kelly’s mind - magician by night used her imagination, creative genius seeming to effortlessly create art out of thin air using textiles, flowers and jewelry.  As a result, she gained a true  respect for art and creativity.  At 20 she became an artist rep and sold her mother’s pastels.  

At 23, Kelly moved to Los Angeles working in the entertainment field and in 1989 migrated to Chicago where she attended the Academy of Merchandising and Design. 
Kelly’s talent flourished as a textile artist where she was required to produce two designs a day.  She discovered she was highly productive under deadlines and pressure.  Much of her time was spent copying logos and creating simple designs which seemed neither inspiring nor challenging.  But it was her keen eye for color and composition along with a natural business sense that set her apart from her peers.  As a quick study, an intuitive artist and communicator, she was appointed to deal directly with the firm’s clients which  honed her business acumen. 

Kelly has two daughters and spent most of her time as a full time mother in her 30‘s.  Not one to completely shelve her artistic talents,  she would take a break from motherhood briefly to create an award winning logo or develop a line of products.  In early 2000 she began painting more seriously. 

She tackled abstract which was in comparison a far departure from the tight textile designs in her early career.  As her canvas size increased in dimension she found the freedom of throwing paint and experimenting with all types of mediums.  Acrylic soon became a favorite and she still remains true to this medium straying only for a small reprieve ever so often. 

Kelly’s abstract pieces are deeply rooted in emotion, texture and composition.  She is able to capture a feeling almost universally.   Today she works almost continuously as an artist exploring and capturing her world and those around her. 

Kelly is an experienced fundraiser and is using her artistic talent for causes.  If you have an interest in speaking to her regarding a fundraising opportunity, please contact her.