It’s possible that I was a virgin birth. I am not sure because I don’t remember. I keep getting conflicting accounts of that auspicious day. I do know that it was Daytona Beach, Florida. I also know it happened in 1961. In order to fend off the doubting Debbie’s, just let me tell you that I have proof! My psychic has confirmed all of this.

My puberty in Buffalo was bleak. My family moved from town to town due to some scandalous family secrets which eventually caught up to all of us. In order to escape the torments of my fellow students, I spent almost all of my time alone. I read voraciously. I also taught myself to draw. I look back at those early drawings and see tiny glimpses of my eventual life calling.

College was a huge disappointment. I was kicked out of several classes because I called into question the opinions and skills of my professors. I suppose I could have been a little more understanding of their situations. I mean, who wants to teach bratty college kids when you could be painting?

My career as an artist really started when during a critique I was told to go away and bring back some “real paintings”. I was so determined that I went back twice more to this same artist until he finally loved my work and helped get me into my first gallery. I suppose I will always owe him for that (thanks Pat). I was also studying from another wonderful artist that supported me in not only switching mediums but charging large sums for my paintings. In fact, she ran into my first group show at the M. A. Doran Gallery and bought my painting. I will always owe her for that (thanks Sabine).

My early career was shaped by outside forces and I became a portrait painter. My inner voice was so quiet and shy that I didn’t even know I had one. Oh, I was having visions but they have wonderful drugs on the market for that now. It took years of teaching art and painting sweet paintings before the spirits finally forced me to quit all the medicine and to sell my house and move out of the country. I am now living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and pursuing my heart’s desire. This is a beautiful country that embraces the insane and the artistic with open arms.

Kelley Vandiver - 2005