“You bead SKULLS?” they ask with incredulity. The initial reaction of fear gives way to a recognition that this is not a morbid curiosity, but rather just the tip of the fascinating story that lies behind the intricately hand-beaded trophy animal skulls created by artist Kelly Nygard. Kelly’s artistic journey may well be as unusual as her choice of medium. Always a creative person, Kelly did not take a deep dive into a passionate creative pursuit until she was in her late 50s. During COVID, the gift of idle time, combined with her children entering adulthood, encouraged Kelly to begin taking some online courses in mosaic and beading. When she discovered an old bison skull in her dad’s shed that she remembered from her Grandma’s fireplace hearth, the pieces fell into place. That first skull, Edith, named after her Grandma Edie, still hangs on her wall at home as a symbol of the beginning of an idea that has evolved into a truly unique fine art form for Kelly.
Growing up with a father who was a taxidermist, Kelly was no stranger to odd body parts, and animal skulls were always things of beauty and honor to her. Oddly enough, Kelly will readily agree with the sentiment against trophy hunting. As she hunts through auctions, estate sales, consignment shops, basements and garages, she rescues these old trophy skulls. She takes them home, dusts them off and brings them a new life with her intricate and unique hand beadwork.
As any artist knows, creation is hard work. It requires passion and dedication to persist for hours and hours in pursuing a vision, only to have it fall short of expectations – and then start over again with equal, or greater, passion. In an experimental medium such as skulls, this was never truer. Kelly persisted through hours and hours of instructional videos, workshops and research to piece together a technique that results in not only a uniquely beautiful piece of art, but also one that is sturdy enough to survive the rigors of packing, shipping and display that is required.
Today, the technique is proven, but Kelly continues to spend hours each day in her studio, testing out new materials and color combinations; searching for unique focal points for her creations and then building around those with glass tiles, Czech glass seed beads, hand-blown glass beads, leather, gilding – and sometimes a special found object. The result is an ever-evolving collection of amazing new creations.
When Kelly is not in her studio, she takes pleasure in spending time with her family in Minnesota, where she has been active in the vibrant recovery community for over 20 years. In addition to her artistic career, Kelly also owns a Live 2 B Health Senior Fitness Franchise, where she works to expand access to quality fitness programs for older adults. She enjoys long road trips with her beloved companion, Django and spending time walking along secluded beaches and through quiet forest paths. She believes wholeheartedly in pausing to savor the moment and seeing the beauty in both people and natural surroundings. More than anything, her art allows her the time to dream peaceful dreams and quietly enjoy the gifts of life.
Artistic Education & Training
- Furry Friends with Kala Jarda & Dianne Chikhaous – D&H Mosaics Online Course
- Mixed Media Mosaic Florals with Debra Mager – Mosaic Arts Online
- Mixed Media Succulent Gardens with Cheryl Cohen – Mosaic Arts Online
- Mastering Mud with Kelley Knickerbocker – Mosaic Arts Online
- Beyond Adhesive: Apoxie Sculpt as Mosaic Material with Kelley Knickerbocker – Mosaic Arts Online
- Fundemento: Shape + Direction = Flow with Kelley Knickerbocker – Mosaic Arts Online
- Mantra Mosaics with Tami Macala – Mosaic Arts Online
- Precision Cutting Stained Glass for Mosaic with Jennifer Kuhns – Mosaic Arts Online
- Kickassiette with Kelley Knickerbocker – Mosaic Arts Online
- Glass Fusing for Mosaic Art with Katherine England – Mosaic Arts Online
- Beaded Mosaics with Katherine England – Mosaic Arts Online
- Creating on Dimensional Surfaces with David Jarvinen – Mosaic Arts Online
- Backyard Birds with David Jarvinen – Mosaic Arts Online
- Glass on Mirror with Kelley Knickerbocker – Mosaic Arts Online
- Mosaic Mandala Design with Dianne Sonnenberg – Mosaic Arts Online
- Organic Abstract Mosaic with David Jarvinen – Mosaic Arts Online
Gallery Representation
- Prairie Edge Gallery - Rapid City, SD October 2024 - Present
- Worrell Gallery - Santa Fe, NM October 2024 - Present
- Woodwalk Gallery - Egg Harbor, WI May 2024-October 2024
- Horizons Fine Art Gallery – Jackson Hole, WY December 2023 - Present
- Exposures International - Fine Art Gallery in Sedona, AZ May 2023 – Present
- Ahmyo River Gallery – Canyon Road Gallery in Santa Fe, NM October 2022 -October 2024
- Haecceity Studio – NE Arts District, Minneapolis, MN Jan. 2022 – Dec. 2023
Exhibitions
- Arts North International Art Show - 3rd Place Award/Drifting Moss January 2024
- CAL International Art Show March 2024
- Reno Tahoe International Art Show September 2024
- Art on The Edge Annual Juried Show August 2023
- Kingdom Animalia – North Suburban Center for the Arts Juried Exhibition February 2023
- Nordhaus Tiny Gallery Exhibition December 2022
- Native Souls Gallery Show Opening – Ahymo River Gallery October 2022
- Art on The Edge Annual Juried Show August 2022
- North Suburban Center for the Arts – Ope! Juried Exhibition July 2022
- Green Lotus – Good Vibes Community Arts, Juried Exhibition June 2022
- Corazon – Gift Shop April 2022
- Vestiges, Ltd. – Gift Shop Oct. 2021-Aug. 2022
Publications
Observica Issue #19, Elite 2022, pg 102/103 August 2022
Of Interest
Country Music Star, Reba McEntire & Actor, Rex Linn have both purchased pieces from Ahymo River Gallery in Santa Fe, NM.
