Another week and another wonderfully talented artist to share in my latest installment of my Artist Spotlight Series.

Introducing

Kerry Steele

Fredericksburg, Virginia

What is your training? 

My grandmother taught fine art and painted with me quite often as a child. I went to college for design and mixed in a number of fine art classes but when it comes to abstracts and using oils, I am self-taught.



 What inspires you and your designs?

So many things can inspire me. Sometimes a place or a phrase can do it. For instance, I saw an old hotel with with blue and white striped awnings and I loved the name, Hotel Majestic. The abstract comes together when I take the real elements of color and the atmosphere I perceive and recreate that without figuration (or identifiable objects).



What is your favorite piece? 
I painted this large piece for myself last year and it hangs in my breakfast room. The title is “A romance in lower mathematics”

How has the your area influenced your work?

I live in Central Virginia and the sunlight is often wonderful even in winter. This certainly keeps me in the mood to paint, especially in cheerful colors.



What is your favorite restaurant in Fredericksburg?

Lately, my whole family is enjoying Guru, an Indian restaurant with lip-smacking vegetarian entrees.

What is your favorite cocktail?

I had an incredible Cosmo while on vacation and I have been trying to recreate it at home.

How do you balance personal life and work?

My studio is in my house so its easy to run in and work for short periods of time when my 5 year-old and teens are at home. I also stay up late painting when everyone is asleep for uninterrupted studio time so that I am available during their waking hours for other things.



Dream trip?

Cruise around Greek Isles



Dream commission?

Any canvas that requires a ladder to paint.



Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

A bottle of Moet et Chandon with a jar of pickled ginger alongside. The two flavors are magical together.



 Who is your style icon?

Audrey Hepburn. I love the classic simplicity.

Your favorite up and coming artist?
I can’t really narrow it down to one. I love the work of Julie Schumer who I recently began following on social media.

I am also nuts about Sally King Benedict,

Christina Baker,

Wendy McWilliams,

Wayne Mok,

and Ellen Levine Dodd.

 What is your most treasured possession?

I suppose my family is not exactly a possession so I would have to say antiques that my family has passed down . There is a particular writing box that belonged to my great-great grandmother that is made with a tiny mosaic of exotic woods called Tunbridgeware. I have always loved it and other very old things that were given to me.

What are you reading?

I am reading Christopher Moore’s “Sacre Bleu”.

What are you listening to?

So much depends on my mood and the mood of what’s on my easel. Anything from Top 40 stuff to Rachmaninov.




What are your favorite blogs / publications?

I have so many blogs that I read but my friend, Jennifer’s, The Pink Pagoda is usually my first click in the morning.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Kerry Steele and her work  Here are just a few of my favorites from her SHOP and Portfolio.  Follow Kerry on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too.