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  Awards:

  • 2000-2001 Minnesota Waterfowl Association Sponsor Print
  • 1999 Oklahoma Wildlife Art Festival Featured Artist of the Year
  • 1998 Ducks Unlimited National Package Print Artist
  • 1998 North East Wildlife Fine Art and Nature Expo Featured Artist of the Year
  • 1998 People's Choice Award - Oklahoma Wildlife Art Festival
  • 1997 Featured Artist at the annual Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada
  • 1995 Michigan Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print Artist
  • 1995 Minnesota Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Print Artist
  • 1995 International Ducks Unlimited Stamp Print Artist
  • 1994 Ducks Unlimited International Artist of the Year
  • 1994 Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Artist
  • 1990 Eagle Conservation Print of the Year
  • 1990 Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Show
  • 1990 First Runner-Up Federal Duck Stamp
  • 1989 People's Choice Award - Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Show
  • 1989 Winner- Wisconsin Duck Stamp
  

Meet Rick Kelley

Rick Kelley's wildlife and African art is a visual journal of his life's travels, experiences and adventures. Every creation evokes a fond memory of the wildlife Rick admires, preserves, and respects. Rick's approach is to capture the emotion in each animal, whether it is the serenity of the loon, the majesty of the bald eagle or the stealth power of the gray wolf. These visions and strong emotions coupled with Kelley's scientifically and proportionately correct images have made him a nationally recognized and critically acclaimed wildlife artist.

Rick began his quest to be an artist out of a love for nature at the early age of ten. He continued to paint through school, and after graduation Kelley took advantage of his father's transfer to Montana. There he used Montana's beauty as a backdrop and inspiration for his work. After studying at Eastern Montana University, Rick set out on his own. Less than ten years later in 1980, he began painting professionally….. full time.

Preserving a Strong Commitment of Giving

An avid outdoorsman and naturalist, Rick Kelley donates much of his artwork to conservation fund-raising efforts and other charitable organizations.

To date, over $12 million has been raised in Kelley print sales for Ducks Unlimited, a non-profit wildlife organization. "Ducks Unlimited is an outstanding organization that is impressive in their dedication to protecting wildlife and natural habitats. It is an honor to have my art work supporting such a worthy cause, " said Kelley.

Gateway to Freedom

Rick's passion for embracing wildlife conservation was highlighted during the 1988 whale rescue near Barrow, Alaska. In October 1988, humanitarian Eskimos discovered three California gray whales trapped by ice near Barrow, Alaska. Wildlife management biologists, with the assistance of the resources of the North Slope Borough and citizens of Barrow undertook to free the whales from this ice prison. Soon the rescue effort elicited the support of numerous state and federal agencies. Environmental groups and oil industry representatives offered assistance as world attention turned to the trapped whales.

While the weather became more frigid, whale rescue workers had great difficulty keeping the whales' breathing holes free of ice, jeopardizing their survival. Volunteer rescue workers came from as far as Minnesota to provide some assistance. Their presence allowed the additional time needed to assure the whales' release. The rescue attempt became an international effort when a Soviet icebreaker was called upon to open the ice completely giving the whales' a "Gateway to Freedom." Cost continued to mount for the conservation group. Hearing of the ordeal, Rick composed "Gateway to Freedom," in an effort to raise funds for the trapped whales. More than 2,500 prints were sold with a donation made of $25,000. "Gateway to Freedom" pays tribute to the many heroes of the incredible whale rescue.

Kristi's Garden


An art gallery owner in Colorado made Rick aware of a 9 year old girl named Kristi with cancer. Kristi's mom was a single parent and was having a hard time paying medical and living expenses. Rick immediately wanted to do something to help the family. Through the gallery owner, he contacted Kristi and asked about her favorite colors and animals. Rick composed "Kristi's Garden" that included the little girl's favorite colors and animals with special emphasis on the color purple, bunny rabbits and butterflies. Rick gave the original to Kristi and galleries across the country sold the painting as a benefit for Kristi. Enough prints were sold to cover all of her medical expenses. Sadly, Kristi has passed away but her legacy in art lives on. "I was so moved by this little girl's story of strength and bravery," Rick says "This piece is my homage to Kristi's courage."

In 2002 Rick donated a number of "Kristi's Garden" prints for KS95's Van & Cheryl Children's Cancer Research Fundraiser as an incentive for the campaign.

On Freedom's Wing

Perhaps his most important piece ever, "On Freedom's Wing" was Rick's response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Frustrated like most Americans with the cruelty that was bestowed on his country, Rick felt he had to do something. The seemingly simple search to buy a flag to be able to proudly display it on his house became an exhaustive ordeal; all stores were sold out of American Flags. Shawn, Rick's wife, suggested that he paint his own flag. Taking her suggestion, he went to his easel and poured out "On Freedom's Wing." "Usually I have in my mind what I am going to paint before I start but with this piece everything seemed to come automatically. It was like something divine was guiding my hand as I was painting," Said Kelley.

Rick further recalls, "I remember when I had finished painting the flag in the mountain. . . I knew I had truly created something special."

After completing "On Freedom's Wing," Rick immediately decided to donate 10% of all proceeds to the American Red Cross Liberty Disaster Relief Fund. "I knew I would sell a few prints which would make for a small donation to the Red Cross; I'm still shocked that four months after I finished painting "On Freedom's Wing" I was able to make a donation of $40,000. I'm so glad I could help out."

Other Non-Profit Recipients:

  • Actors Theatre of Phoenix
  • American Cancer Society
  • Cedar Rapids Police Department
  • Chanhassen Fire Department
  • Eastview Elementary School
  • Elk River High School
  • Free Arts Minnesota
  • Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Lake Minnetonka Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Maplewood Good Samaritan Center · Muski Inc
  • NFL Alumni Caring for Kids
  • Oregon Hunters Association
  • Pheasants Forever - Wright County Chapter
  • Presence of Angels
  • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
  • Safari Club International - California Chapter
  • Safari Club International - Tucson Chapter
  • Willow Lane Elementary
  • Youth Performance Company