About Rick

Rick Kelley

Rick Kelley’s art is a visual journal of his life travels, experiences, philosophies and adventures. Every creation evokes a fond memory that Rick admires, preserves, and respects.

Rick began his quest to be an artist out of a love for nature at the early age of ten. He continued to paint through school, and after graduation Kelley took advantage of his father’s transfer to Montana. There he used Montana’s beauty as a backdrop and inspiration for his work. After studying at Eastern Montana University, Rick set out on his own. Less than ten years later in 1980, he began painting professionally — full time.

An avid outdoorsman and naturalist, Rick Kelley donates much of his artwork to conservation fund-raising efforts and other charitable organizations. To date, over $12 million has been raised in Kelley print sales for Ducks Unlimited, a non-profit wildlife organization. “Ducks Unlimited is an outstanding organization that is impressive in their dedication to protecting wildlife and natural habitats. It is an honor to have my art work supporting such a worthy cause,” said Kelley.

Today, Kelley publishes his own work through the company he and his wife own, Kelley Fine Art Publishing. It is this venue that affords Rick the opportunity to paint from his emotion, and create images that truly depict the beauty and mood of nature.

Rick’s approach is to capture the emotion in each animal, whether it is the serenity of the loon, the majesty of the bald eagle, or the stealth power of the gray wolf. These visions and strong emotions coupled with Kelley’s scientifically, historically, and proportionately correct images have made him a nationally recognized and critically acclaimed wildlife artist.

Techniques

Acid Free Paper

Most of Rick’s prints are printed on Acid Free Paper. This is an archival paper designed to last for decades without deteriorating or yellowing. It is made from cellulose fiber with the active acid pulp eliminated during processing. In order to keep an acid free paper print in good condition, all the products (matting, foam core etc.) used to frame the print must also be acid free.

Artist’s Proof Edition

An artist’s proof edition is similar to a limited edition in that it is signed and numbered. The main difference between edition types is the size; and artist’s proof edition is usually but not always 10% of the limited edition size. For example, it the limited edition size of a print is 950 the artist’s proof edition would be 95. Artist’s proofs are also scrutinized more by the artist to make sure the color is precise and the quality of the printing is impeccable. Often times an artist’s proof edition print is denoted with “Artist Proof” or “AP” in front of the number (AP 23/950).

Conservation Mounting

The process of framing an acid free paper print. Conservation mounting will assure longevity of a print if the products (matting, foam core etc.) used to frame the print are also acid free. When bringing your prints to a gallery to get framed, it is best to request conservation mounting.

Gicleé Printing

Gicleé prints usually are done on canvas or other special cotton papers. Gicleé printing is a more accurate process then offset lithography. The original painting is scanned into the computer, then color corrected. Instead of outputting negative films, the image is sent directly onto canvas by means of a high resolution inkjet printer. The inks used in this process are pigmented such that they are guaranteed by the manufacturer not to fade for at least 200 years. This is a much slower printing process and more expensive but the final result is of much higher quality and will outlast the offset lithograph. Many times a Gicleé print is a signed and numbered edition.

Limited Edition

A limited edition is a set amount of prints made. The quantity is decided by the artist. The artist signs and numbers each print. After every print is sold, no more prints will be added to the edition size. Often times a limited edition print is denoted with LE in front of the number ( LE 23/950 ) or just simply the number ( 23/950 ). The number is found towards the bottom of the print.

Offset Lithography

Offset Lithography is the process by which paper prints are made. The original painting is photographed with a format camera to make a transparency. The transparency is then scanned into a computer, color corrected to match the original painting, then separated into four colors with a negative film for each color. Each negative is then burned onto a plate. The four plates are put on a four-color press that prints the final image.

Open Edition

An open edition is an unlimited available amount of prints. It is not numbered but still usually signed by the artist.