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 director of the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center in Boerne, Texas. Since 2002, Kristy has been enjoying putting on events and antique tractor pulls. Kristy 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 resides on a ranchette with her husband, Chuck. Kristy invented and patented a urethane plastic horseshoe called Ground Control Horseshoes in 1999, which she sells worldwide. As a graphic designer, Kristy has owned her own business, Polonyx, for over three decades. 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 I emphasize in my subject. My paintings are realistic with an impressionistic vibrancy. I want every color that I put on the canvas to be there to help the composition. I use soft edges in the areas of the painting where I want less of the viewer’s attention, and use harder edges and more contrast for 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 around the country. I paint scenes of Texas, Mackinac Island, Michigan, the mid-west and great plains of America, historic route 66, antique trucks and cars, horses and cows. 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
– Little Big Art Show 2025

Rockport, Texas
– Rockport Art Festival – booth, 2025

Corsicana, Texas
– 40th Annual American Plains Artists, Art of the Plains, 2025 40th Annual Juried Exhibit & Sale at The Pearce Museum, Awarded a Ribbon of Excellence – Honorable Mention

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