Artist Kelley Cappell

The Tri-Cities are booming with arts and artists — perhaps nowhere more vibrantly than Batavia’s Water Street Studios, which hosts events, galleries and up to 25 artists in residence. Each month, Kane County Magazine and Water Street Studios are partnering to highlight artists and their work.

Astudent of art in its many forms, Kelley Cappell is a true creator from the heart. “I am an artist/illustrator with a degree in biology and a background in scientific illustration,” says Cappell. “I was the illustrator for the Brookfield Zoo for about 6 years. I was responsible for all sorts of art, including digital, acrylic, pen and ink and much more. As of now I am a freelance artist and instructor at Water Street Studios.” Cappell is from Geneva, a significant reason she was drawn to Water Street Studios after she left the zoo and wanted to join an artistic community. Like other artists from Water Street, the local wildlife and natural landscape help serve as inspiration. “I love to visit the Fox River and look for birds such as eagles and hawks,” muses Cappell.

Cappell continues to try different mediums and reach for new artistic projects. A recent favorite of her work is an acrylic painting of a character from the popular Apple TV show, Ted Lasso. “I was so delighted when he retweeted the image on twitter,” Cappell laughs. Artistic expression is as necessary to Cappell as oxygen. “I have certainly grown through the years, but I have always known my purpose was meant to be an artist,” says Cappell. “My mother would tell you she knew as soon as I picked up my first crayon.”

As an instructor at Water Street Studios, Cappell wants everyone to access the vibrancy of art and creativity. “Art is such an important part of life,” says Cappell. “It makes us feel, not always good, but it can make you think about something in a completely different way. Everyone should have access to art in every form, that is why I love being a teacher and inspiring others to take a risk and try something fresh and new.”

DETAILS OF Kelley Cappell’S WORK:

For more information on the artist of the month, head to www.waterstreetstudios.org or the organization’s social media pages.

was talking to a potential client and she was lamenting that she has so many ideas but she was so overwhelmed that she didn’t know where to start, so she just gave up. She felt that if she implemented all of her garden ideas (or even some of them) that it would be too expensive, just too much to care for, and that it would look terrible because she didn’t know anything about plants. She only knew what she liked based on photos and visiting other gardens or the Garden Center. She had lists all over the place, photos saved on her phone, and board after board on Pinterest of her dream garden. She also felt selfish putting in a garden that SHE liked versus something that would make the house sell better someday. She knew she could have the garden of her dreams, but she just didn’t know how to start.