Words with Friends | Kerry Steele

Immersed in the Abstract: Kerry Steele

Kerry Steele is an artist based in Charleston, SC who works with Amy Parry Projects, most recently on our Boca West Country Club installation, as well as some residential work.  Her use of color and shape draws from nature and adapts well to commissioned work.

APP: What do you think about when you paint?

KS: I think about absolutely nothing. I used to listen to music, but now I don't even do that. Sometimes I create an abstract that is more floral in feeling, or a kind of landscape but not really...I'll add some scribbles to suggest mountains, and then move the paint around the canvas, layering the colors for depth.

APP: What are your favorite colors to work with?

KS: I like to layer a lot of colors on top of each other. There might be some brown or green underneath to make it more interesting, but there may only be a centimeter of that color visible, and that gives the layering some complexity. I also love to paint with orange.

APP: Besides abstracts, you also paint nudes. Where do you get the inspiration?

KS: My grandmother was also an artist, and she also painted abstracts and nudes. Her abstracts were more geometrical, and the paint didn't overlap. Her nudes were not similar to mine either. She always painted a face - I try to leave out facial features. I try to leave a lot out.

APP: What else have you done besides paint?

KS: I used to own my own design firm, and a lot of my work is commissions for interior designers. My artwork has now led me back into the design world by painting for show houses and High Point Market.

To learn more about Kerry’s work, please visit her website

kerrysteele.com