ABOUT meg kelley

I am a freehand artist, which means that I don’t pre-draw or trace (although I have been known to use a straight edge from time to time). I select choice vintage leather garments, shoes, and accessories as my canvases, thereby breathing new life into old things. The result is a wearable, one-of-one piece of art that can never be duplicated.

There is something edgy about “just going for it”: taking permanent acrylic paint to a porous medium like leather. It means that I have to live with and work through my mistakes until they turn into something I love and feel proud of. I find this process to be a wonderful metaphor for life; that we are all just a mistake or two away from realizing our true beauty and gifts.

Because my process requires me to let go of my creative agenda, I find that my best work comes “through” me rather than “from” me. Put more simply, I often find myself asking my canvas “What do you want?” and then trying my best to express that. As a result, my art has become a sacred avenue through which I walk my spiritual path, and is a testament to the transformative power of creation.

Each finished piece tells a story that extends beyond my own narrative. There is an invitation to see the interconnectedness of humans as a global community, and to offer a deeper view of what it means to be human.

Looking for more? Check out The Process.

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