Artist:

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Kelli Scott:

Growing up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, I’ve always drawn inspiration from the vibrant natural beauty and rich Appalachian culture that shaped my early years. I’ve taken art lessons since childhood, later majoring in Studio Art at Sweet Briar College. Over the years, I’ve also worked in nonprofit and arts management roles—experiences that deepened my connection to creative communities.

Although I’ve lived for nearly two decades in suburban Huntersville, North Carolina, the distant blue mountains still call to me—and they often find their way intuitively into my work.

During the pandemic, I taught myself to play the banjo, and the traditional old-time tunes I’ve learned have since become a driving force behind my art. Blending this musical influence with an expressive, intuitive painting style, I create work that honors my Appalachian roots while exploring the emotional landscapes of memory and place. I like to create paintings that I feel—then see.