about

Biography

Kelly (Edwards) Seim grew up in the West, encircled by the native beauty of rugged mountains and red rock desert in Utah and Colorado. Seim received a BFA in 1997 from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI, followed by an MSW in 2004 from the University of Utah, College of Social Work. She put her paint brushes away for many years and focused on honing therapeutic skills and sensibilities before experiencing a longing to return to art making as an element of her own growth, purpose, and mental health. Subsequently creatively reinvigorated, Seim became active in the dynamic Utah art scene, exhibiting frequently and organizing gatherings for artists to collaborate and socialize. In 2019, Seim relocated to Philadelphia in pursuit of vibrant and diverse culture, rich history, and new adventures. She is currently exploring options for exhibitions and seeking an art community on the East Coast. Her newest body of work focuses on ceramic figures sculpted from clay.

Artist Statement

My work as an artist and psychotherapist are interconnected: I am inspired by and curious about the human experience, bodily and psychically. Through painting and therapy I bring attention to specific as well as universal images and themes that guide and enrich; I seek spontaneous, meaningful expressions originating from the self to be embraced and elaborated; I invite fantasy and play which add archetypal and lively aspects to the work. My figurative paintings are stylized, vividly hued studies of emotion, relationships, and the unconscious.