Carman’s Kelly Rothwell will be the featured artist, showing off her recent artwork at her “Story Lines” show, which will be held at the Golden Prairie Arts Council (GPAC) from Sept. 3 to Oct. 26. A reception will be held on Sept. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.
The title of Rothwell’s show is “Story Lines,” and it will feature around 32-35 pieces with various sizes. She chose the name because she has always tried to convey a story with every painting.
“I love it when people tell me what they think is going on in the painting,” said Kelly Rothwell. “Everyone has a different interpretation, but the point is that they stepped into it for a second and felt something.
Rothwell first got into art as a child as she had two older siblings who are also artists. She quickly saw what they were doing and imitated it.
“Our parents encouraged our artistic tendencies. I excelled at art in school and knew that I wanted to be an artist.”
Straight out of high school in 1973, Rothwell’s dad drove her and her art portfolio to a couple of places in Winnipeg where an artist might find work—one was a sign-painting business, and the other was a graphic design place. However, due to her inexperience, there were no takers, and she worked in a bank.
For a brief period in the late 1980s, Rothwell sought to make a living as an artist in her hometown of Carman – painting signs, murals, commissions, even interior painting and wallpapering.
“I formed friendships with artists and craftspeople from the St. Lupicin area and participated in shows at the St. Lupicin Gallery,” said Rothwell. “At the same time, I became part of the creative group that set up and ran the Off the Wall Gallery in Carman, which was located where the FasGas Station now sits. But I was never earning enough to support my family.”
“A mentor of mine, Winnipeg artist Esther Warkov, said to me jokingly, ‘Kelly, you need to find a patron.’ Unable to do that, I resigned myself to being part of the regular workforce and waited for retirement, throwing my hat in the ring every now and then through a commission or juried art show. Maybe my wellspring of ideas is the result of the long wait.”
Rothwell has longed to have a solo exhibition since she retired from work a few years ago.
“At that time, I was a bit rusty as I had not been producing much art since around 1990. Painting ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ as a commissioned piece for Rob Bryson at Newman Hand Insurance, got me going again, and I felt confident enough in my abilities to commit to a show at GPAC. I went through the application process with them and was accepted.”
Rothwell knew she would need about two years to complete enough paintings for the GPAC show. An unused room in her house has since turned into a studio, which boasts great south-facing windows so that wonderful light comes in.
“I usually spend about three or four hours each day painting. I made a playlist of around 200 songs that have meaning for me, so I put on my headphones, and I paint.”
Four main subjects have inspired Rothwell’s work: the lives of girls and women, design and fashion, nature, and the work of fellow artists. Each helps give her work a unique flair.
Rothwell’s commitment to her art is evident in the time she invests. Large paintings can take anywhere from 60 to 100 hours, while mixed mediums take 15 to 20 hours each, a testament to her dedication and the effort she puts into each piece.
Rothwell eagerly looks forward to September, when she can finally unveil her past two years’ worth of art for everyone to see and enjoy. Her excitement is palpable and will undoubtedly be shared by all who appreciate her work.
“At this time in my life, making art is essential to me, and I love doing it,” said Rothwell. “If a day goes by where I don’t produce something, I feel a bit cheated. I have no shortage of ideas. I don’t know exactly what drives this feeling to create – I guess I liken it to the way a musician or a writer feels about their compulsion to do what they do.”
For more information on the show, please visit www.goldenprairieartscouncil.com. Rothwell’s art can also be viewed on her Instagram page at @kellyrothwellart
