BIOGRAPHY

Canadian artist Kelly Dodge regards her inspirations and artistic talent as gifts from God and considers it a great blessing to be surrounded by this natural world of beauty and wonder.  Each of her paintings has something specific to say, communicating the essence of creation in simplicity and truth.

In what has been a whirlwind career as a professional artist whose first show was in 2001, Dodge has achieved much recognition internationally. In 2003/2004 she was elected to full signature member with the Society of Animal Artists, The Pastel Society of America and The Pastel Society of Canada.  She has been a signature membership with Artists for Conservation since 2001, a community of world-class artists whose mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation through art that celebrates our natural heritage.

Primarily painting in pastel, Dodge is perhaps best known for her ongoing focus on birds often combined inspirationally with traditional Christian hymns.  She has also garnered much popularity with a second series, pastel paintings portraying breathtaking views of the constellations.  Since 2007, this series has raised funds for Ducks Unlimited Canada through their National Art Portfolio for wetland conservation in Canada.

Dodge has had the opportunity to explore the Southern Hemisphere flora, fauna and skies in Kenya in 2005, while in the summer of 2007; Dodge was the accompanying artist on a AFC Flag Expedition to the Indian Himalayas.  In 2008 she journeyed on a scouting mission with her husband to Ecuador to explore the Galapagos Islands.  A highlight of her career is the 2009 fellowship grant award of $5,000, under the AFC Flag Expeditions Program, to
return and study the endangered species of the Galapagos Islands while supporting wildlife conservation and environmental education with her art.

Her exhibition schedule has included such international shows as the Southeastern Wildlife Art Exhibition, Charleston, S.C., Art for the Animal Kingdom, Bennington, Vermon, Una Exposicion Para la Promocion y Conservcion, Peru, the Eason Waterfowl Festival, Easton, Md., the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, and most recently the prestigious Artists for Conservation, The Art of Conservation exhibition at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, NJ. Her paintings can be found in many collections at home and abroad.