This section of the gallery is for anyone needing some inspiration, healing, growth, strength. A shoulder to cry on. A connection. To see that life is hard for all of us. That we all suffer. We all struggle. The most beautiful thing you can do is to keep breathing.
The following art is a peek into my own journey of trauma recovery. I might be a mental health expert now, but I began as an abused, scared, and silenced little girl. Art gave me a vehicle to make space from the terror and process pieces that were crumbling. Today, I’m feeling quite solid. I’M NOT AFRAID TO GET LOUD! Wherever you find yourself in your journey through Earth, I hope you know that you deserve safety, health, and happiness. But here’s the rub…you have to get it for yourself. You have to be your own hero. Because rescues only happen in fairy tales and old Disney movies, I think.
To make a purchase of an original or a print, please email: [email protected].
Sizes available for limited edition prints are 5×7 artwork matted to easily drop into an 8×10 frame, or 8×10 artwork, matted to drop into 11×14 frame. Other sizes available upon request.
All items listed are available in their original form unless noted as SOLD!
Two Truths and a Lie
Truth Number One
When I was thirteen, I came home from school very excited after they tested our career aptitudes. I waved my career inventory proudly at Mother and declared, “I’m going to be an Artist!” She took it from me and read the two other results. Kindergarten Teacher and Psychologist. She said, “No, you’re going to become a doctor so you can take care of me. I want you to buy me a red Corvette and a nice house…” the list went on.
Truth Number Two
I was an obedient servant–I mean daughter–and so I did study psychology and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Counseling. But it always felt like something was missing. I think we’re born destined to do a certain thing, and when you don’t, or it’s taken from you, it causes agida, which is Italian for heartburn. Think about that word, a burning in your heart. My heart was on fire. I was living half a life.
One Lie
Your parents know everything and what they say is always right. Maybe if you’re lucky enough to have mentally healthy parents this could be true, although no one is perfect. But for many of us, growing up in abusive homes, we believe, as children, that our parents are right. If they say, our voice hurts their ears, then we believe it and stop singing. If they call us stupid, we believe it and drop out of school.
A Bonus Truth
Adults don’t know everything. No one does. You have inner wisdom. It’s a gift that gets trampled sometimes, but it’s there. See if you can get quiet and listen to it. My inner wisdom has been guiding me to lead an authentic life, and that includes throwing paint on stuff.
Visit my Store to get my designs as gifts and wearables!
What is Creative Resilience?
It’s taking whatever life throws at you and processing it into beauty and growth. It’s learning to letting go of the pain and suffering and appreciating the joyful highs that we couldn’t experience or recognize without the difficult lows.
I’m a mixed-media artist. I love turning trash into something beautiful. The best materials are reusable ones. That’s why I like to work with found objects like net bags from produce, damaged books, newsprint, pencil sharpener shavings, waxed paper, and of course, paint and glue.
And let’s not forget my favorite—GLITTER!
You were meant to SPARKLE, baby! Throw some glitter on it!
Long story short: Art is anything you enjoy making. Or anything that allows you to express an emotion that you don’t want to carry in your body anymore. Art is liberation. That’s Creative Resilience.
What do you want to be free from?
Hold that thought and let your hands do the rest. Then take a picture and show me what you made on my Instagram page! I’d love to see what liberates you. Talk to me @byToriKelley
Remember, the most important art is the art you make for yourself.
“Gordon, the Endangered Sea Turtle” is a mixed media project aimed at raising awareness of how our trash affects the oceans and marine life. I’m hoping this piece will ask the viewer to consider their own participation in reducing consumerism and recycling materials. Gordon’s shell is used waxed paper, his fins are old latex gloves, and his stomach is made from packing paper.
No materials were purchased to make any of my pieces except for the canvas they are mounted on and paint. In this way, creativity is defined by using what you already have.
I’m a proud member and exhibitor at my local gallery, the South Lake Art League. My photography earned second and third place in the 2024 South Lake Fall Photography Show for my monochrome entry, A Carnevale Wedding, shot in Venice, Italy and Flying Over Italy, in the people category, shot in Sacile, Italy.
https://southlakeartleague.com/montrose-gallery/
2024 Spring Art Show. My mixed-media painting, LOVE, won third place.
And I’m a very happy art instructor. I love teaching mixed-media art! https://southlakeartleague.com/classes/
For more of my work, please visit me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/bytorikelley/
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