Kelly Maryanski is a Chicago based illustrator specializing in ink and watercolor. She holds a BFA cum laude from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She is intrigued with voyeurism, tactile objects, cuteness and kitsch, and the impact of society’s fixation upon iconic figures and their use in identity formation.
She is also intrigued by the sea - by cephalopods, whales, creatures of the deep, and mermaids, fairytale, myths, and folklore that accompany them. The myth and allure of the mermaid has always been an topic of interest in pop culture and she seeks to present a different breed of merfolk that are more akin to fish and are perhaps much smaller creatures than the human-sized fairytale creatures, with an essence of cuteness, krill- like qualities, and whimsy.
Kelly is also inspired by the works of John Tenniel, Maira Kalman, costumer Edith Head, and Miles White.
Often, verity lies in details and sometimes these small things matter the most.
Kelly’s illustrations have been featured for Hush Puppies, Lumen Optical, Simple Skincare, Conrad Chicago, Create & Cultivate, Luxury Garage Sale, and multiple Sip 'N Shop events across Chicagoland. She also creates custom work for burlesque dancers, aerialists, performers, and theatre companies. Kelly can be hired for on-site illustration for private and public events, weddings, blogger events, fashion shows, store openings, and more.
Interested in a custom piece? Send me an email for a quote!
Kelly is also an actor, dancer, singer, performer, and aspiring aerialist. Check out what she is up to in the performing world here: www.thisiskellymaryanski.com
Kelly is represented by FLATSSTUDIO
Kelly is a member of the Chicago Writers Association
Kelly was recently interviewed by Voyage Chicago for their Thought Provokers Series. Read the article HERE.
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Born: Chicago, Illinois, 1988
Member of The Chicago Writers Association
EDUCATION:
2010 BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts: Studio Art, Dance
Denison University, Honors-Cum Laude
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2018 Kelly Paints With Water, XO Marshmallow Cafe, Chicago, Illinois
2010 The Consumption of Michael Jackson: The Kelly Chloé Company presents The Michael Jackson Collection,
Bryant Arts Center, Granville, Ohio
2009 L’essence: Capturée: A Cologne Collection, Doane Library, Granville, Ohio
2008 Exhibition of Framed Artworks by Kelly C. Maryanski, Antique Picture Frames, Ltd., Niles, Illinois
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2018 NOIR, FLATSSTUDIO, Chicago, Illinois
2018 Pivot Arts Festival x FLATSSTUDIO, Chicago, Illinois
2018 19art81 Speakeasy, Chicago, Illinois
2016 11th Annual Emerging Artists Exhibition, Morpho Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2010 4x6, Perry County Council of the Arts, Newport, Pennsylvania
Annual Alumni Exhibition, Bryant Arts Center, Granville, Ohio
Jackal's Cleft Senior Exhibition, Bryant Arts Center, Granville, Ohio
2009 The Words and Music of Marvin Gaye, Printmakers as Activists: What's Goin' On Now, Denison University,
Granville, Ohio
2008 Andy Warhol Fashion Show, Mershon Auditorium at the Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio
Soapbox Activism, Short North, Columbus, Ohio
Intersections for the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
A Night of 200 Bras: Bra Art Exhibitions and Auction Benefiting Breast Cancer, Denison University, Granville,
Ohio
We Are Frida!, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2007 Cleveland Hall Remembered, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2006 Mark Kirk Congressional Show, Northbrook, Illinois
Harper Community College D214 Show, Palatine, Illinois
2005 Harper Community College D214 Show, Palatine, Illinois
The Life Is Simply Art Show, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
The L.I.S.A Show Finalists, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Glencoe, Illinois
2004 The Life Is Simply Art Show, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
The L.I.S.A Show Finalists, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Glencoe, Illinois
AWARDS:
2010 Mary K. Campbell and Caroline Woodrow Deckman Studio Art Scholarship, Denison University, Granville,
Ohio
Benjamin A. Mollett Memorial Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Dean's List, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
AICUO Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts, Columbus, Ohio, Nomination
2009 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture, International Sculpture Center,
Hamilton, New Jersey, Nomination
Mary K. Campbell and Caroline Woodrow Deckman Studio Art Scholarship, Denison University, Granville,
Ohio
Benjamin A. Mollett Memorial Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Marimac Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Dean's List, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2008 Marimac Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Vail Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Dean's List, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2007 Marimac Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Vail Scholar, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Dean's List, Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2006 Harper Community College D214 Show, Palatine, Illinois, First Place
2005 The Life Is Simply Art Show, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, First Place
Harper Community College D214 Show, Palatine, Illinois, First Place
2004 Beatlefest Convention at the Hyatt Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, First Place
The Life Is Simply Art Show, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, First Place
2003 Beatlefest Convention at the Hyatt Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, First Place
PUBLICATIONS:
2019 Grace: Stories and a Novella (illustrator), Chicago Arts Press, Chicago, Illinois
2018 Write City Magazine Journal (illustrator, Dan Burns - author "Grace"), Chicago Writers Association, Chicago, Illinois
2017 Off-Kilter 002, Chicago, Illinois
2015 After Hours Press (illustrator, Dan Burns - author "Thoughts on a Summer Afternoon") , Chicago, Illinois
2014 No Turning Back (illustrator), Chicago Arts Press, Chicago, Illinois
2010 A Pictionary for Everyone (author), Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc., Mundelein, Illinois
Day Tripping With Michael (author), Raleigh, North Carolina
2009 The Michael Jackson Collection Auction Companion (author), Raleigh, North Carolina
Articulate Literary Magazine (cover), Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2008 Articulate Literary Magazine (cover), Denison University, Granville, Ohio
2006 Artes Latinae Series (select illustrations), Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc., Mundelein, Illinois
2005 Carmina Popularia (cover), Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc., Mundelein, Illinois
2000 TokyoPop Magazine (Sailor Moon), Los Angeles, California
COLLECTIONS:
Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Wheeling High School, Wheeling, Illinois
Office of Congressman Mark Kirk, Washington D.C
Private Collection
REVIEWS:
Kerr, Kelsey. "Michael Jackson Auction and Exhibition Featured at Bryant." The Denisonian 13 April 2010, A&E.
