Carla Kelly
cutekelly@eggsquisit.com
The following works were created by Carla Ute Kelly, originally from Germany, she came to the USA in 1973.
Before she started carving eggshells she worked with all kinds of different mediums. From wood carving and sculpting with wood, to custom glass carving for a glass company in Kansas City, MO.
She also painted in oil and acrylics and worked with faux finishes and murals. Outside of this, she also designs web sites and does graphic art.
The following is her egging story in her own words:
I had not heard of egg carving until about 6 years ago when I ordered a power carver from a company online to do some engraving on glass. The company showed the different uses of the power carver on their website and I was amazed that one could actually carve eggshells. It took me 3 more years to actually order some ostrich eggshells and try my hand with it. My first egg became a glue job, but my second egg turned out great and I fell in love with this art form. The ostrich eggshell is my favorite because of its texture and size. It feels and looks like ivory or porcelain and its size is larger than the other eggshells therefore it gives me a greater area to carve my designs into.
I kept on carving eggshells from ostrich, rhea and emus to goose eggs and chicken eggs. I have only been carving eggshells since September of 2006.
In 2007 I went to an Egg Art Show held by the International Egg Art Guild in Dallas, TX. My “Dragon Dance” ostrich eggshell won “Best of Show” in the Novice division and also a blue ribbon. My “Little Mermaid” also placed with a blue ribbon in the novice division at the same time. I entered it to be judged. “Dragon Dance” also won first place in a photo contest in 2007 at ostrich.com. It is a triple prize winner. After this event I decided to use the Little Mermaid to create a table fountain and it also became a tutorial for carving, decorating and creating the fountain.
In 2007 I also started a private yahoo group online and it has been growing ever since. I have now over 40 members from all over the world. People from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany and even Colombia S.A, Hungary and of course the USA are members of Egg Artistry. We share what we know with those that are new to this art and I teach online courses in egg carving, offering my tutorials to the group for free. I believe that art should and must be shared and that all art is an inspiration. I also know that art is therapy. Getting to know the people I work with, I learned that most of our group members are either wrestling with physical problem as well as mental problems. To them, their art work is an escape, an outlet for their dreams, a get away from their problems. It is a place in which they can express themselves and show their heart and soul.
Carla Ute Kelly