Art Island S1E6: Alpen Kelley - Painter, Printmaker & Jeweller

In Episode 6 of ART ISLAND, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy brings viewers into the intimate studio of Alpen Kelley, whose life has been dedicated to the pursuit of artistic expression. Kelley, a seasoned painter, printmaker, and jeweller, shares her struggles, but also pragmatic view of being an artist: a process of continuous and enthusiastic learning. We are guided through the rich tapestry of Kelley's artistic process, witnessing her distinct expressive style through the variety of media she has mastered through her lifetime.
[About Alpen Kelley]
Alpen Kelley began learning and practicing art from a young age, a discipline which grew from lessons in a cold studio on Saturday mornings. Through her artistic practice, Kelley has achieved renown as a Master printmaker, painter, and silversmith, though all of her work comes back to a foundation of prolific drawing and sketching. Over the course of her artistic career, Kelley has exhibited and worked across Canada and internationally, taking her technical skills, proficiency and vision to new locales and situations.
hornbyisland.c...
[Art Island: Perspectives from a Creative Community]
Who are the individuals that comprise the vibrant artistic community of Hornby Island? This 10-episode docu-series looks into the personal lives and artistic perspectives of local artists - our community members. Expanding on how they became artists, what inspires their art, challenges they've encountered, and how they persevered, Art Island is a deep dive into why artists feel art is important and how it has the power to affect us all.
[Credits]
A Film By - Zsofin Sheehy
Associate Producer - Emma Walter
Assistant Director - Kris Krüg
Location Sound - Liam Wheatley
Sound Mix & Design - Matt Copeland
Title Animation - Grigorii Kniagnitskii
Colour - Bogdan Mykytenko
[Music]
Ardie Son
Bryan Rahija
Brendan Kinsella
Sebastian Kauderer
CoastLands
[Photos courtesy of]
Alpen Kelley
For more episodes follow the links below:
E1: Alina Milek • Art Island S1E1: Alina...
E2: Tom Burrows • Art Island S1E2: Tom B...
E3: Moragh Eilish • Art Island S1E3: Morag...
E4: Michelle Nyberg • Art Island S1E4: Miche...
E5: Tony Wilson • Art Island S1E5: Tony ...
E6: Alpen Kelley • Art Island S1E6: Alpen...
E7: Gordon Payne • Art Island S1E7: Gordo...
E8: Elaine Savoie • Art Island S1E8: Elain...
E9: Tom Knott • Art Island S1E9: Tom K...
New episodes coming soon - Subscribe to stay in the loop and watch more videos.
ART ISLAND was created on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.
Funding for this episode of ART ISLAND is provided by the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, and the Province of British Columbia.

[@katherineelizabethco]

Making art has saved my life. I struggle with periods of depression. Making art blocks intrusive thoughts. I’ll admit it is an obsession. An obsession that keeps me in this world.

[@franceselizabethvanvelzen8555]

Me too. Stay well 💖

[@Christyj62011]

Me too❤

[@user-nl2ex3zz2v]

I totally get that

[@Queenie-the-genie]

You and I are a lot alike. Your studio reminds me of my own. I want to try every medium. I paint and create jewelry and other objects out of metal and other materials. I just turned 79 and I am still at it. Picasso said that he thinks that many artists live very long because they leave themselves outside the door while they are working. I had a chaotic childhood and making art calmed me down.

[@fraserradford6551]

Alpen seems like a wonderful soul. Such a calm storyteller.

[@user-ml7dn4rv6j]

Alpen is extraordinary and so is Hornby Arts. Their videos, editing, crafting etc are just in the stratosphere. All in all, a sublime experience for me. Thank you.

[@HornbyArts]

Thank you for your comment. Glad you are enjoying the series :)

[@cecilesurier2977]

Couldn't agree more! This series is absolutely fantastic!

[@MicciCohan]

Agreed! Luv, Luv this series!❤😊

[@stephanieb120]

This creative, intelligent woman is soooo "Right"! Removing art and music classes from the school curriculum is ridiculous. Being able to create helps us learn how to problem solve. Learning little songs teaches us how to be in harmony with the world. Our school systems need to wake-up!!!!

[@thomastuorto9929]

Not only the creativity but the release it gives one when they are fully immersed in the craft of what they are doing in any form of art. I would think it would be the same for sports, eg; being up at bat concentrating on nothing but the pitch & what one hopes comes after connecting with it. So important that all youth everywhere has a chance for this type of outlet & the choice do so. Don't take them choices away.

[@Spiroffd]

Incredible video of an artist in the actual studio environment where they created their work. A pleasure to watch.

[@aeastman59]

what a beautiful soul! I love Alpens art and what she is saying, so authentic and true... such a prize in a world full of smoke and mirrors... thank you for this video it really lifted my spirits!

[@susanlandacre7969]

You seem a remarkable woman, with a calming spirit. I get such a good energy from everyone represented in these videos. Thank you for sharing your lives and every ones creative spirit.❤

[@cojamescojames4762]

We need more artists to help us see

[@suzannem9811]

Another beauty! Such an inspiring series of films. Thank you!

[@user-oz7bu2jp4k]

What is so wonderful is that you are saying what each and every one of us says and the reasons why its the same is because of four words…WE ARE ALL ARTISTS…we all the need the quiet. The space and we do not need other people to tell us that we are artists, we work in all mediums and that is the time when we are fulfilled, happy to be able to work, music is another art, sound for me its like you classical music, for others its some other type of music. All my life I have had to say I need to paint I need to work I need the space the silence, and we should always make space, make time and not worry about it being perfect, listen to programmes like this dont leave it until tomorrow

[@kymcrowart7876]

This videography for all of these videos is phenomenal

[@Joyabulthuis]

Beautiful again! Such beautiful filmmaking so thank you!!

[@HornbyArts]

Thank you for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the film!

[@galehanson12]

This is a very inspirational video. Thank you Alpen and Zsofin for sharing your creative spirit.

[@HornbyArts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janinafisher101]

So lovely. I want to see all that artwork that's tucked away in her closets! I wish I had learned art at an early age and was able to do nothing else. But I'm here now, and that's what counts.

[@artistforlife]

Loved listening to her story and philosophy of art, lovely images.

[@marthagerow]

What a delight. So loved hearing Alpen's story and approach to art and life. Simply beautiful.

[@kymcrowart7876]

This lady is my hero. Such an amazing artist and woman.

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

I sooo agree with her! Everyone is not an artist. Anyone can be creative. Not everyone is an artist. To be an artist is more than about having/expressing talent. To be an artist is to have an insatiable desire, need and choice to make art. It's to the bone...

[@user-nl2ex3zz2v]

Yes without art I couldn’t exist

[@martinahartman-kg9le]

Yes, Yes, Yes Thank You

[@jesperbjerregaard1690]

Somehow I agree in everything Alpen says💎

[@gailevans7633]

This is wonderful! My view is that we create art rather than make it. We move beyond our "self" expressing spirit. While painting or whatever, we lose track of time and space and something beyond thought takes over and we create. We can make a meal etc., but more is in the adventure of art.

[@petroshingalana8556]

Artists they are the people who make the world peaceful ❤

[@calicodaisyhandmade]

So pretty! Thank you for a beautiful interview.

[@westendgirl6213]

I can really relate to Alpen's words. A true artist. Wonderful film.

[@deborahjohnston2808]

Thank you!What a wonderful woman!

[@robinaanstey3734]

What a beautiful spirit !!! She is able to articulate her art, her story and her passion so wonderfully, with passion and grit. TY for sharing. Hornby seems like a wonderful haven for artists and art enthusiasts. Cheers from sunny FL.

[@claudyjansenvanhetlaar3285]

What a beautiful creature

[@HornbyArts]

Thank you for your comment!

[@CM-re1xe]

this is so beautifully filmed! thanks youtube for recommending me this

[@AdelineHONG-s1g]

💛💛💛💛

[@user-nl2ex3zz2v]

I love it that you don’t put yourself in a box

[@eevelot12]

Thankyou 🙏✨💛

[@HornbyArts]

Thanks for watching and commenting🙂

[@shelimarlakowski9032]

love this video of Alpen Kelly

[@chantalrochon3566]

Now I want to go to this island❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@guiselleorozco568]

Que alegria haber encontrado este contenido❤

[@kunstigel]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mariaarencibia3359]

Excellent,

[@Luciana-mp7zn]

Que maravilhosa❤

[@accade_acaso]

The joke about the bonfire made me sad…

[@in80sblues]

💜💜💜

[@Treelooover]

❤

[@janetpattison8474]

I agree, I know tons of people who are definitely not Artists. 🤔 They excel at other things, but it’s not art. Like selling cars 💰💵 or real estate. 🚗🚙🚚🛻🚗 Sometimes people are jealous of Artists like me, because I’m real & they are fake. 🫥🤬🤯🫥 Do your best to tell them as little as possible about your life. Because they will use it as a weapon against you. Some people dislike my art, even though they’ve never seen it or they’ve seen one out of 100 pieces. The human state of consciousness is pretty weird 👹😵‍💫👺🥴👹 & driven by insecurity. There’s something built into it where most people have a hard time seeing other people who are happy & are succeeding. And they’ll go to surprising lengths 😱😱😱 to try to bring them down to their own level. 😂😂😂😂

[@vickiescallan5651]

Forgive them and free yourself Janet👍