Kelly Correll Brown

There is an underlying theme throughout my work that is centered on the loose interpretation of dreams as fairytales and fairytales as reality. I work within the realm of imagination and try to marry this into the mundane events of everyday life. I find interesting the contrast between what we see and what the imagination places into pictures and environments. I describe my work as reflecting an "absencescape". The landscape of the "whole picture" is hinted at through an absence of literal imagery. It is like the space between alertness and dreams when reality is blurred just a bit, an escape from absence.

I work with many different materials and in a variety of techniques. Because I have a back group in textiles, sewing, painting and drawing I enjoy incorporating elements of all of these techniques together. I do not like limiting myself to working on one piece at a time. This process allows me to begin to build a story that can flow circularly rather than linearly.

My greatest hope is that my work reflects my belief in the powers of whimsy, absence, fear, silence, and the power of an ever-evolving story.

I have been living in Oakland, CA for the last eight years. I have been actively showing my work since 1999 in a variety of mediums and a variety of venues. Since moving to Oakland I have involved myself in many creative endeavors involving fine art, music, and design.

California College of Arts and Crafts. BFA Painting/Drawing 2005
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. AA Textile Design 1999
UC Santa Cruz. 1996-1997

1999
FIDM Graduate Textile Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA

2000
Organic Gallery Group Show, Silverlake, CA
Organic Gallery Solo Fashion/Textile Show (Poppieseed Productions), Silverlake, CA

2001
The Mint, Live Painting and Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA

2002
Balazo Gallery Group Show, San Francisco, CA

2003
2nd Annual Reversible Eye Group Show, 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, CA

2004
3rd Annual Reversible Eye Group Show, 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, CA
Balazo Gallery Group Show, San Francisco, CA

2005
CCAC Advanced Drawing Show, CCAC San Francisco, CA
Exquisite Corpse Group Show, CCAC San Francisco, CA
Lonely Flowers BFA Solo Exhibition, CCAC San Francisco, CA
Absencescapes Group Show (Curated by Kelly Correll), 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, CA
21 Grand Gallery Annual Art Sale and Exhibit, Oakland, CA

2006
510 Group Show, Oakland, CA
21 Grand Gallery Annual Art Sale and Exhibit, Oakland, CA
Circle/Depiction Solo Exhibition, 11-3-06 - 12-10-07, 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, CA

2007
Lobot Gallery Silent Auction, Oakland, CA

2008
Paintings Drawings Solo Exhibition, 12-1-2008 - 1-3-2008, Pretty Penny, Oakland, CA

2009
21 Grand Gallery Annual Art Sale and Exhibit, Oakland, CA

OnGoing
Bi-Monthly Online Group Show, www.groupshow.blogspot.com

www.strikeofthesynapse.blogspot.com. December 2008
www.wipster.blogspot.com. August 2009
http://inotherwords-catania.blogspot.com. August 2009

"Kelly Correll Opening. A wintry night in Oakland. A combination of artistic subtlety. There are some really nice, delicate, detailed pieces. Go see it in person at the Pretty Penny on College. So with that qualifier, here are a few shots of the work." Review of opening by Strike of the Synapse (for more images and words on this click here: www.strikeofthesynapse.blogspot.com) December 2008

"Kel from Poppieseed creates these wonderfully whimsical images from The House With the Purple Stairs in Oakland, California. Each image is hand painted or collaged and inspired by the people and places she has known throughout her life, and sometimes even her dreams. This painting Birds On The Wire is one of those, based on a recurring dream where the landscapes become patchwork. I love the vibrant colours and rows of tiny 'stitching'. Germany, Oh How I Miss You is a collage on a wood panel. The buildings seem to be almost floating in those blue patterned clouds. Many of Kel's images are very much like fairytale illustrations, but with an edge. Bicycle is one of Kel's mixed media images. She has used scraps of ribbon to embellish this painting of a pennyfarthing. The Robotic Arm of Childhood Fun is possibly the most whimsical of Kel's images. Made from collaged fabric and envelopes, this image is fun but also slightly disturbing. While the images are fantastic on their own, if you can see them en masse it is worth it. The simplistic illustrative style of her work really leaps out at you. Check out Kel's website to see images of her latest exhibitions and to find out where you can see her work. Kel's also a singer and keyboardist too - like many creative people she doesn't limit herself to one outlet! If you'd like to hear about her musical work, the evolution of her images and little snippets of her life, visit her blog Journey to the Edge of the Absencescape. I urge you to give her a visit because I only have space to show you a few of her works and the choice was so hard!" Review from Wipster (www.wipster.blogspot.com) August 2009

Noise Collage, Harmless Noise, CD artwork and layout. 1999
Sister Mary Shoelace, Blasphemous Ceremony, CD artwork and layout. 2000
Black Ice, Eve-EP 10" LP artwork and layout. 2002
Black Ice, Terrible Birds, CD layout and design. 2003
Black Ice, Myopia, CD artwork and layout. 2005
Red Voice Choir, A Thousand Reflections, CD artwork. 2007
Red Voice Choir, Apparition EP, artwork. 2009
Black Ice, European 7" EP, artwork. 2009

Ian Brown's Mom, 2008-present
Black Ice, singer and lyricist. 2001-present. www.mungaso.com/blackice
Red Voice Choir, singer and keyboardist 2006-2008. www.myspace.com/redvoicechoir