For many years, Gail Kelly has been inspired by the ancient folklore of the British Isles and Ireland. Her inspiration comes from the old legends and folklore of the countryside and the landscape itself. Gail is particularly drawn to locations where man-made features blend comfortably with nature as the years go by. Timelessness and peaceful qualities appeal to her; areas where little has changed over the centuries. 

Gail uses stone and plate lithography to achieve the effects she wants, over-printing layers of opaque and transparent colour and patterns. She records her memories of time and place. Gail has produced a series of linocuts based on her knowledge of these age-old beliefs and has printed her designs on locally sourced fine Irish linen using a Columbian press dating from 1825.

Linen is synonymous with Ireland. For hundreds of years generations of skilled weavers have produced this unique fabric known the world over for its superior quality and classic beauty.

Gail qualified from the University of Ulster with a BA. Honours in Fine Art Printmaking and a M.F.A. from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, U.S.A.

She returned home from America in 1992 and now lives in the countryside near Belfast. Gail's original prints have been exhibited widely both at home and abroad and are included in many public and private collections. 

A few glimpses in to Gail's print making studio complete with her stunning antique cast iron press. Here Gail designs and creates the images for Algan Arts cards and linen prints. This is where the initial leaf motif lino blocks that became her range of textiles were conceived, carved, and first printed.

 

 

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