May Artist in Residence

Patti Kelly is an Ipswich artist who began drawing as a child. She was greatly influenced by her father, who also drew. As an adult, she has worked as a preschool teacher, raised a family with her husband, Jack, and studied art with two professionals. She credits Deborah Padden of Monson and Pat Lutz of the Artist’s Playground in Newburyport for helping her to develop her skills.

Patti draws great inspiration from nature. With her husband, she began visiting wildlife sanctuaries and became interested in birds. A hobby developed in which Jack photographs the birds the couple encounters and Patti later makes paintings. In her exhibit, Patti shares many of these paintings.