Kelly Mellos

"It is my belief that great art goes beyond the surface and moves its viewers to a place of emotional and rational stimulation, to a place of wonder and reflection.   It is a process that human beings go through in an attempt to make sense of the world we live in... in a search for meaning and connectedness.  It is an enriching journey worth taking."   -Kelly Mellos

An Uncommon Experience

Kelly's unique stage performance combines a live portrait painting demonstration with relevant lecture topics and interactive inspirational exercises. Attendees witness the creation of a portrait using traditional oil painting techniques while exploring timeless artistic and humanistic principles in modern context. Audiences of all backgrounds are engaged and united by an uncommon experience that is at once intellectual and inspiring, classical and contemporary, expansive and introspective.

"Thank you so much for the amazing experience. You did a magnificent job! Our group loved the session, learned so much and were touched emotionally by the experience. You are so professional and passionate; so clear and real. You exceeded our expectations!"

-Jan Nordstrom Arnold       Co-Founder, CND Global (Revlon Corporation)

Biography

Kelly Mellos is a representational artist, specializing in portrait and figurative work. She has a passion for painting people and capturing the inner beauty that resides within them.

"The creation of successful portrait and figurative art involves not only the ability to see, but also the curiosity to observe and to attribute meaning from this observation. It requires a deep sensitivity to paint both the unique inner beauty of the subject as well as to capture the light force that connects him/her to all of humanity." – Kelly Mellos

Kelly's fine art career was preceded by thirteen years of corporate marketing and non-profit development experience with the San Diego Symphony, Strong Capital Management,Arts Center Foundation, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins.    Kelly has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master's of Science in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Kelly is a member of Oil Painters of America, Portrait Society of America, California Art Club, and Rotary International. She serves as the International Chair for her Rotary club as well as on the Board of Directors for Hands of Peace.

Kelly's art exhibitions, events, and awards include:

• Selected Speaker, TEDx San Diego 2016, "The Age of Magic"
• Selected Artist, Butler Institute of American Art's Mid-Year Show; Youngstown, Ohio, 2016
• Selected Artist, Laumeister Fine Art Competition; Bennington, Vermont; 2015
• Featured Speaker and Performer, Hands of Peace California, July 2014
• Finalist, Art Renewal Center International Competition, 2014
• Winner, Strokes of Genius/Art Journey: People, 2013
• Winner, Strokes of Genius 6: Value/Lights & Darks,  2013
• California Art Club's Landscapes of the West; 2013
• Selected Artist, Portrait Society of America's Cecilia Beaux Mentorship, 2013
• Scottsdale Best and Brightest, 2013
• Second Place Winner, Portrait Society of San Diego Group Show, Oct. 2012
• Scholarship Winner, Portrait Society of America's "The Art of the Portrait" Annual Conference; Atlanta, GA, 2011
• Finalist, Dreyfuss Family OPA Online Showcase, Dec. 2011
• Oil Painters of America, Annual National Juried Exhibition, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 2011
• Bold Brush Finalist, 2011
• Oil Painters of America Western Regional Juried Exhibition; Jackson Hole, WY, 2010
• Winner, "Best in Class," La Jolla Wine and Art Festival;  2010
• California Art Club's LA Opera Ring Cycle Group Show; Los Angeles, CA, 2010
• California Art Club's Blinn House Precious Gifts Juried Exhibition; Pasadena, CA, 2009
• San Diego Fine Art Society Solo Show; San Diego, CA, 2009
• SDVAN Movers and Shakers Group Portrait Show; San Diego, CA, 2009