Kelly
Stribling Sutherland, an honors graduate of California’s prestigious Art Center College of Design, works as a
free-lance illustrator from her home in Denton, Texas. She credits master painters like Chagall, Munch
and Degas as well as the compositional elements of photography and the graphic
arts as inspiration for her work. The
fine art look that is evident in her work bridges the fine line that
illustrators most often walk.
In
her professional field, Kelly has garnered numerous awards and honors. In 1986 she gained notoriety as the youngest
artist – only 25 years old – to have work selected for the cover of the
Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalog. Nine
years later in 1995, her artwork “Angel Bright Starry Night,” was again chosen for
the Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalog cover.
Many products including cookie tins, snow globes, ornaments, and cards
represented the artwork.
The
Neiman-Marcus Beauty Book, designed by Sibley-Peteet Design, and illustrated by
Kelly, was selected to hang in the Library of Congress permanent collection in
1986. Another project, the France by the
Sea Fortnight campaign by Neiman Marcus, was the recipient of the NORMA award.
Other
career highlights include her being named in 1987 as Adweek’s “Southwest Illustrator of the Year.” In a later Adweek issue, she was
featured in “Women to Watch in the Southwest.”
In
1996 Kelly was asked to illustrate the White House Christmas Tour Guide, and
was also invited to a White House reception to meet the President.
Kelly
has done work for many clients including Bloomingdales, Pier 1 Imports, D
Magazine, Aetna Health Care, Brinker Inc., Scholastic Books, Running Press,
Dayton’s and Marshall Fields.
Kelly
was invited to submit an illustration to the Permanent Collection of Women’s
Illustration at the National Society of Illustrator’s in New York City. Her piece “Angel Bright Starry Night” is part
of the collection, donated by Neiman Marcus.
In
1999, Kelly was commissioned to paint 12 paintings representing the 12 Days of
Christmas for Dayton’s and Marshall Field’s.
The work served as inspiration for the window and interior design of
both stores. Dayton’s also interpreted
the work into a 3 dimensional show viewed by the public. Many products including a children’s book, ornaments, a Christopher
Radko ornament, shopping bags, snowglobe and many other paper products were
reproduced.
In
2002, Kelly was commissioned to illustrate the Christmas campaign for
Nordstrom’s Department store. The
drawings depicted two whimsical children named Please and Thank You and a dog named Bootsy. The work decorated
the Christmas catalog and in store displays.
A print from the drawings was made into children’s pajamas.
Most
recently, Kelly has branched out into painting murals for private homes and
businesses. She is currently drawing
children’s portraits and painting on sepia photographs and has a line of
limited edition giclee prints available.