http://www. uponepairofstairs. comBiographical Sketch
Kelly Stribling Sutherland
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, snow globe 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 is teaching elementary art in Little Elm at Chavez Elementary. She is enjoying working with young imaginative children and helping them develop their artistic side.
