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. Gail Kelly's work is inspired by the ancient folklore and rural traditions of Britain and Ireland. Her timeless landscapes populated by standing stones and fairy thorn trees reflect the seasonal changes in the patterns of the countryside. She uses printmaking techniques including lithography, linocut and woodcut. She also designs and publishes the Algan Arts range of greetings cards. 

Her work has been included in solo and group exhibitions both at home and abroad including exhibitions at Model House Craft & Design Centre Wales, Culturlann Belfast, Corvallis Art Centre Oregan, Arizona State University, exhibition of International Contemporary Lithography at MOMA Wales / Bankside Gallery London / Queens University Belfast, Galway Arts Centre Ireland, City Gallery Uzice Slanuska, University of Nebraska, Bonhoga Gallery Shetland, Clotworthy Arts Centre Northern Ireland, Island Arts Centre Northern Ireland, Saint Patrick Centre Northern Ireland, Flowerfield Arts Centre Northern Ireland, Ormeau Baths Gallery Belfast,

go back