About Kristy McNelly
Born on a farm in Fremont, Michigan, Kristy McNelly’s early days were spent riding horses and playing in the woods along the creek. Art has been a long pastime since childhood. It is that love for nature and animals that is still carried into her work today as an oil painting artist. An active volunteer and President of the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center in Boerne, Texas, Kristy enjoys putting on events and antique tractor pulls. She can also be seen on back roads around Texas driving her seafoam green antique 1950 Ford Truck called “Seabiscuit”. Kristy graduated from Michigan State University with both an art and geography degree before moving to Bergheim, Texas where she now resides on a ten acre ranchette with her husband, Chuck. Certified as a cartographer, Kristy worked as a map designer for the Gousha Mapping Company in Comfort, Texas from 1992 – 1995. In 1996, she started her own graphic design firm, Polonyx, LLC and in 1999, Kristy invented and patented a urethane plastic horseshoe called Ground Control Horseshoes, which she sells worldwide. All through the years, Kristy has continued to oil paint, showing and selling her art and taking art workshops to further her skills. She is a member of Oil Painters of America, Cowgirl Artists of America, American Impressionist Society, Boerne Visual Artists, and American Women Artists, American Plains Artists, and Key West Art Center & Gallery.
Artist Statement – Kristy McNelly
Painting with oils on canvas, I use painterly brush strokes full of vibrant color that my eyes see outside of the local color of the object. My paintings are realistic and impressionistic. I want every color to be placed specifically and clear with clean colors and no “mud”. I use soft edges in the areas of the painting where I want less of the viewer’s attention, and use harder edges for the details on my center of focus. My warm yellows, oranges and reds go in front of the light – the highlights; while my blues, greens and purples go behind the light – the shadows. My subjects come from my personal photos that I have taken on trips or in my own city. They are scenes of San Antonio, Mackinac Island, Michigan, historic route 66 gas stations, antique trucks, and landscapes. I wish to share my love of animals, nature, and history with my collectors and appreciators of my art.
Exhibitions
Boerne, Texas
– Hill Country Invitational: Tapatio Resort, 2002, Ye Kendall Inn 2003
– Boerne Professional Artists Colorfest at Convention Center 2004
– Carriage House Gallery 2004-2007
– Boerne Art Waddle 2012 – 2024
– Hill Country Art & Wine Festival 2025
– Native Plant Society of Texas Boerne Chapter art show 2025
Rockport, Texas
– Rockport Art Festival – booth, 2025
Queen Creek, Arizona
– Art of The Cowgirl: art booth, 2024
Madison, Wisconsin
– Midwestern Horse Fair: art booth, 2024
Salina, Kansas
-Kansas Equifest 2025, art won for the program cover and booth
Mackinac Island, Michigan
– Lilac Festival Top 20 Artists: 2nd place, 2023, 1st place 2025
Bradenton, FL
– Oil Painters of America wet paint competition 2025
Key West, FL
– Associate Members show Key West Art Center & Gallery 2025
– Echoes of the Past Art Show at Key West Women’s Club, 2025
