The ARTIST

Kelly Parmenter

My artistic journey traveled from pencil and paper sketches to some acrylic expression to my current love of oil paints. I primarily paint the natural environment. All of my paintings are of places or things that hold deep meaning to me. I especially love visiting—and therefore painting—mountains, lakes, oceans, and gardens.

As I reflect on my work to date, it is dominated by summits and tides—there could be no better name for my studio. You will see paintings of my favorite vacation spots in Hawaii, the Sierras, and the high desert, as well as my central coast hometown. I like contrast, bold colors, layers, and texture to depict a certain energy I see and feel.

FORMATIVE YEARS

Where the worlds of Innovation and Imagination Collide

While I’ve attended a spattering of art classes, my work with oil paints is largely self-taught. My preference for working with thick paints and palette knives to create impasto paintings is influenced by the work of impressionist, post-impressionist, and contemporary artists I admire. I continually practice the art of being loose and free from the confines of exactness; this is a challenge for my technical brain!

My formal education is in mechanical engineering. My love of the natural environment has driven my career to focus on clean energy and energy efficiency in the built environment. I am passionate about protecting our climate and world as a whole through sustainable use of our precious resources. My technical work centers on practical solutions, while my artistic expression invites an imaginative escape. I find painting nature’s beauty a welcome—actually, essential—reprieve from the dark news of the world. 

As I slowly transition to retirement from my technically oriented day job, I shift more and more time to nurturing my creative side. While it has been a gradual process, I am now ready to open up and share these paintings with you. I hope looking at my work brings even a tiny amount of peace and light to your day.

Artistic PROCESS

  • with flip flops or boots on the ground, I pursue any opportunity to be in nature 

  • there is no limit to engaging views, from sunrise to sunset, sea level to mountain peaks

  • a phone camera is my best friend while snapping numerous photos

  • with pencil or paint, I develop the composition and lay out the basic features 

  • gliding across the canvas using a palette of thick colors and various blades is the best part 

  • when I can’t find what I’m looking for, I handmake the frame invoking my fondness of woodworking

I’m a wife, mother, energy consultant, and martial arts sifu.

FUN FACTS

I love to hike, ski, snorkel, garden, practice kung fu and yoga, and play games.

My favorite colors are blues and greens, as you can see in my paintings.

Studio QUESTIONS

  • The studio maintains a limited stock of one print for each painting. The stock is replenished, on demand, as soon as a print sells, up to the limited edition size of 25 prints. If a print is in stock, the estimated delivery time is 5-10 business days, depending on Kelly’s availability and shipping times. If more than one print sells in close succession, the delivery time may extend to 10-15 business days. 

  • The studio has all originals for sale in house. The estimated delivery time is 5-10 business days, depending on Kelly’s availability and shipping times. 

  • The studio maintains a stock of greeting cards in house. The estimated delivery time for a box of greeting cards is 5-10 business days, depending on Kelly’s availability and shipping times.

  • U.S. orders are shipped via USPS Ground Advantage.

  • Contact the studio for hand deliveries of original paintings to locations within Santa Barbara County.

  • when I can’t find what I’m looking for, I handmake the frame invoking my fondness of woodworking