Kelly Stevens McLaughlan

Originally from London, Kelly now resides in rural North Devon with her husband and their two beloved shaggy dogs. Kelly’s artistic journey has encompassed two mediums: acrylics on canvas and digital art. For a decade, she worked exclusively under a studio name, crafting thousands of illustrations and artworks digitally. Her work swiftly garnered international acclaim, particularly in America, where she participated in exhibitions and operated her own showroom in Las Vegas. Under that name, she has many avid collectors, and her prints are stocked in hundreds of boutiques and galleries across the States. 

In the summer of 2022, Kelly refocused her energies onto her true passion: painting with acrylics on canvas under her own name. She finds sanctuary in her studio, amidst the large canvases, infusing them with vibrant expressions of the natural world which surrounds her: it is in nature that she has found her calling. 

Kelly’s work is mainly focused on animal life and is influenced by her rural surroundings. Her work is strong, joyful and bold and reflect her deep connection to nature.

“As an artist, I am drawn to the power of exaggeration, amplifying colours and forms to create a sense of vibrancy and movement. My work is rooted in dynamic strokes and striking colour palettes, embracing an energetic style that brings the natural world to life. 

Inspired by folklore and the quiet mysteries of nature, my paintings often weave in a sense of myth often suggesting untold stories, hidden symbols, and the feeling that something just beyond the frame is waiting to be discovered. I work primarily in acrylic, layering pigments to build depth and texture, enhancing the immersive quality of each piece. 

The large scale of my canvases heightens their presence, inviting viewers into a world that is both familiar and a little enchanted. Because, after all, don’t we all crave a touch of mystery in our lives?”