Kelly Pelfrey is a contemporary impressionist painter known for her expressive brushwork, love of light and shadow, and ability to capture the beauty of everyday moments. Her paintings often feature people in natural, unposed settings—scenes that feel more like memories than formal portraits. Whether she’s painting a quiet coastal landscape, a sunlit floral, or a nostalgic moment between loved ones, her work is rooted in warmth, movement, and a strong sense of place.

A South Carolina native, Kelly was born in the Lowcountry and now lives inland, where everyday life provides just as much inspiration as the coast. She fell in love with painting as a child and has been creating art ever since. After years of balancing her work with a salary job, she stepped away in 2020 to pursue painting full-time.

She studied art education at the University of South Carolina with a studio concentration in painting, building both a strong technical foundation and a lifelong love of creative expression.

Kelly loves collaborating with interior designers to create custom pieces that feel like they truly belong in a space—art that adds not just beauty, but meaning.

In addition to her studio work, Kelly is the host of Behind the Brush, a weekly podcast where she shares honest conversations and practical insight for artists building a full-time career. She is also the co-founder of The KP Art Collective, an online gallery connecting collectors with original work from artists across the country.

When she’s not painting, you’ll likely find her outside—by the water, in the sun, or chasing fresh air with her family. She’s never turning down dark chocolate, loves a good date night with her husband Brandon, and believes life is best filled with a lot of laughter. Together, they’re raising five children—three at home and two off at college—which means there’s always something happening and always something worth painting.