Kelly Maryanski - Los Angeles Illustrator

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    • Alice in Wonderland
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    • MJ
    • PARIS 25
    • Pet Portraits
    • REVELATION
    • SPIRITS AND COCKTAILS
    • T A R O T
    • Transitions Series
    • Twin Peaks
  • Live Event Fashion Illustration - Kelly Paints With Water
    • HOSPITALITY ILLUSTRATIONS
    • COMMISSIONS
  • Hermès Postcard Project
  • PUBLICATIONS
    • Scottish Terrier Illustrated
    • Prints and Cards
  • Home
  • About/CV
  • PORTFOLIO
    • Alice in Wonderland
    • Black and White
    • Buildings
    • CARS AND MOTO
    • Custom Motorcycle Helmets + Gear
    • MJ
    • PARIS 25
    • Pet Portraits
    • REVELATION
    • SPIRITS AND COCKTAILS
    • T A R O T
    • Transitions Series
    • Twin Peaks
  • Live Event Fashion Illustration - Kelly Paints With Water
    • HOSPITALITY ILLUSTRATIONS
    • COMMISSIONS
  • Hermès Postcard Project
  • PUBLICATIONS
    • Scottish Terrier Illustrated
    • Prints and Cards

ABOUT/CV

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Artist Statement
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"The details, that's what the world is made of." - Wes Anderson

I am an illustrator and world builder of inner dialogue, creating whimsical, often small-scale ink and watercolor pieces deeply rooted in nostalgia and magical realism with an air of movement. As an artist and dancer raised in a family of antique collectors, my visual language is shaped by a love for mid-century magazines, The Golden Age of Hollywood, and the vibrant heroism of mahō shōjo (magical girl) anime. I am fascinated by miniatures and ornate objects, viewing them as vessels for secret worlds and forgotten histories.
Fueled by my own creative superpower, the hyperfixation, my work explores the surreal architecture of the inner mind. Influenced by the unsettling beauty of dream logic, I look past the mundane to ask: What is our subconscious comprised of, and what personal myths form it? Through the lens of the female gaze, my illustrations center on the female body and modern society’s psychological drive to collect, whether it be objects or people.
Utilizing fine line work and delicate washes, I transform characters and creatures into tactile, kitschy-cute treasures. Ultimately, I create intimate pieces meant to be held, discovered, and collected albeit ever having an air of movement —ever escaping and inviting viewers to unearth the underlying lore and hidden depths within each frame.
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Often, verity lies in details and sometimes these small things matter the most. 

-Kelly Maryanski October 2026

My illustration style is very much inspired by studying at a young age the works of John Tenniel, Wes Anderson,  Edith Head, John Napier, Egon Schiele,  Miles White, David Lynch, Audrey Hepburn, and dancers.

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Bio
Kelly Maryanski is a Los Angeles based multi-hyphenate;  in the visual arts she is an illustrator specializing in ink and watercolor and live fashion sketching, in the performing arts she is a dancer, a circus artist/aerialist, and musical theatre actor. Her work was first published at the age of 11 in TOKYOPOP Magazine (Los Angeles, CA) and from there, Kelly's first illustration job was as a textbook illustrator at Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers in high school under the guidance of artist Thom Kapheim . She holds a BFA cum laude from Denison University in Granville, Ohio where she specialized in large scale illustration, ceramics, painting, and site-specific installation and received multiple academic and creative awards including Dean's List, the Mary K. Campbell Scholarship, Founder's Scholar, the Marimac Scholarship, and was a three time Vail Scholar. Kelly currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and illustrates commercially and privately for both independent and global brands.
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Kelly Paints With Water Atelier

Kelly Paints With Water is the creative studio of Kelly Maryanski, a distinguished live event illustrator based in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, California. Specializing in luxury events, weddings, and private celebrations, Kelly brings moments to life through the timeless beauty of ink and watercolor artistry.
With a refined eye for detail and an intuitive sense of atmosphere, Kelly captures the essence of any occasion—transforming fleeting moments into elegant, painterly keepsakes. Her distinctive live illustration style has elevated events for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Hermès, Givenchy, Dior, Brunello Cucinelli, and Auto Vault Rodeo Drive, among others.
Each creation by Kelly Paints With Water blends sophistication and emotion, offering guests a truly personalized and unforgettable experience. Whether illustrating luxury fashion soirees or intimate weddings, Kelly’s work reflects the charm, joy, and artistry at the heart of every celebration.

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Kelly is also a performing artist and aerialist:  www.thisiskellymaryanski.com

Kelly is currently a 2026 Artist in Residence at Château D'Orquevaux in Orquevaux, France
Kelly is represented by
 FLATSSTUDIO 
​and is a member of the Chicago Writers Association
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Zach Sutton Photography

Select Client List

Alexis Bittar
ALO Yoga
Aritzia
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Beverly Hills Hotel
BMW
Bombay Sapphire
Brunello Cucinelli
Burr Ridge Village Center
Captiv8
The Casino Club
The Conrad Chicago
Create & Cultivate
Dainese
Disney Dapper Day Expo
Dior
Dolce Vita
The Dorchester Collection

The West Hollywood EDITION
​Elton John AIDS Foundation
For Love and Lemons
FROMM
​Givenchy
Goldman Sachs
The Grammy Awards
Harley Davidson
Hermès
Hotel Bel-Air
Hush Puppies
Jasmine M. Jordan
JBL
Jimmy Choo
Kendra Scott
Lancome USA
La Croix
Live Tinted
Loungefly
Lumen Optical
Luxury Eyesight
Luxury Garage Sale
​Nana Jacqueline
Neiman Marcus
NEWCITY
​Nike Air Jordan
One Tail At A Time
Pinterest
PIXI Beauty
​Rails
The Roosevelt Collection Chicago
Saks Fifth Avenue
San Ysidro Ranch
​Sephora
​She Glam
Simple Skincare
Skinfix
​St. Pierre Bakery
The Ranch at Torrey Pines
Walker Zanger
Wansas Tequila
West Elm
Westfield Shopping Centers
XO Marshmallow


Kelly Maryanski is represented by FLATSSTUDIO and is a member of the Chicago Writers Association


EDUCATION

2010 BFA, Bachelor of Fine Arts: Studio Art, Dance Denison University, Honors-Cum Laude


SOLO EXHIBITIONS



2025 Revelation (short film + illustrations), Fashion District, DTLA, Los Angeles, CA

2019 Drawlloween, XO Marshmallow Cafe, Chicago, Illinois

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

2026 Drawings, Collect Art, Tbilisi, Georgia 
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2025 Yo Gabba Gabba! The Super Art Friends Show, Brea Gallery, Brea, CA

2023 Floral, Collect Art, Tbilisi, Georgia 

2023 Harley Davidson x Girl Scouts of America, Discovery World, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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2022 Maiden Moto Art Show - Babes Ride Out, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Tour)

2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, USA (Tour)

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


RESIDENCIES

2026   Château D'Orquevaux Artist In Residence, Orquevaux, France

PUBLICATIONS
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2026 Drawings, Collect Art, Tbilisi, Georgia 
2024    Spinning Spells, Weaving Wonders  (Interior Illustrations), Crossed Crow Books, Chicago, Illinois
2024   The Witches’ Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation (Interior Illustrations), Crossed Crow Books, Chicago, Illinois
2023 A Victorian Grimoire (Internal Illustrations), Patricia Telesco, Crossed Crow Books, Chicago, Illinois
2023 Set Your Compass (Cover Illustration), July Sea, Crossed Crow Books, Chicago, Illinois
2023 Floral, Collect Art, Tbilisi, Georgia 
2023 Jaguars, Tigers, and Elvis (author/illustrator), Raleigh, North Carolina
2022 The Handstand Press 003 (Illustrator), Dublin, Ireland
2020 Write City Review (illustrator, Dan Burns - author "First Class"), Chicago Writers Association, Chicago, Illinois
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

Cedar St./FLATS Chicago - "The Alfred" Building, Chicago, Illinois Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Wheeling High School, Wheeling, Illinois
Office of Congressman Mark Kirk, Washington D.C

Private Collection

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PRESS

"The Magic Circle." The Handstand Press Summer 2022.
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“Check out Kelly Maryanski’s Artwork.” Voyage Chicago 6 December 2018, Thought
Provokers Series
http://voyagechicago.com/interview/check-kelly-maryanskis-artwork/

"Coloring for Grown-Ups." Brightest Young Things 29 October 2014.
https://brightestyoungthings.com/articles/coloring-for-grown-ups-ft-kelly-maryanski


Kerr, Kelsey. "Michael Jackson Auction and Exhibition Featured at Bryant." The Denisonian 13
April 2010, A&E. 

2025     Yo Gabba Gabba! The Super Art Friends Show, Brea Gallery, Brea, CA2026   A Room With A View: The Musical (Costume Design)


2024 Spinning Spells, Weaving Wonders  (Interior Illustrations), Crossed Crow Books, Chicago, Illinois


2024   The Witches’ Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation (Interior Illustrations), Crossed Crow Books, Chicago, Illinois
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