I am a British Artist. I spent my childhood in Thailand and The Netherlands, attending British and International Schools and with a short spell at the Arts Educational School in Tring as I wanted to be a professional Ballet dancer. I returned to the UK to study art in Farnham and then York. I now live with my husband near Stroud in Gloucestershire.
After gaining my degree, I took a position as an artist in residence at a private school near Godalming for a year. This was followed by a hiatus until 2020 when I started painting seriously again during lockdown.
I work in oils and acrylic on canvas. My work is inspired by the vintage scene, which my husband and I are a part of, regularly attending 1930s, 40s, and 50s events. My subjects include vintage portraits, scenes from vintage events, architecture, music, and I’m currently working on a series of still life works of interesting and beautiful objects.
My life is and has been a colourful adventure and this is reflected in my work.
Hannah O’Kelly Arts CV
Studio address: Studio 3, Farrs Lane, Stroud, GL51JG
Email: hannah@hannahokellyarts.co.uk
Instagram: @hannahokellyarts
Education:
Foundation Course in Art & Design, West Surrey College of Art & Design, Farnham, 1994
BA Honours Degree in Art (Major) & English (Minor), St. John’s College of Ripon & York, 1997 – received a 2:1 for the degree and a 1st for my dissertation on Paula Rego.
Residential 1 week painting course in Monmouth, 1999
Various life drawing classes attended over the years
Exhibitions:
2024
SITE Festival Open Studios, 8-9th and 15-16th June 2024
Stall booked for Frisking the Whiskers (vintage weekend event), Pakefield, April 2024
2023
Stroud Arts Festival, The Weaving Tapestry of Connections Exhibition at the Subscription Rooms in Stroud, 24th – 28th Oct 2023
Held an art showcase party to launch my work around the vintage scene, at The Corner House, Stroud, January 2023
2022
Private View and Solo exhibition in Rough Hands Coffee (Café), 30th June to 25th July 2022
2021
Website www.hannahokellyarts.co.uk created by Steve Russell Studio, Stroud
Instagram account: @hannahokellyarts created
Printer for art greetings cards sourced, Wheatley Printers, Stroud
Regular stall at Shambles Indoor Market in Stroud, on a Fri and Sat (currently once per month), from 2020 to current day
Commissions
Double Portrait commission for client in Paris, Jan 2024
Design of cocktail glass stencils and painting of these designs as well as restaurant’s logo on ceiling tiles in new restaurant premises, for The Corner House, Dec 2023
Double Portrait commission from Wedding photo, Oil on canvas, Dec 2022
Oil Portrait of wife of client, Dec 2022
Pencil Portrait of partner of client, Nov 2022
Pencil portrait of Bee Man of Beeston statue, Sep 2022
Sign painting of logo and word “Restaurant”, on outside of the restaurant “The Corner House”, Stroud, Jul 2021
Double portrait in Oil, 2020
Severed head for theatrical production of Anne Boleyn, for Cotswold Playhouse, 2018