Colleen Kelsey, "Shadow Selves"

Colleen Kelsey Shadow Selves, 23.5 x 23.5 in. Oil on Canvas Mounted on Panel $2,000 -- The tumbling female figures represent internal parts shaped by life events, embodying different ages and reflecting traumatic or challenging stages, often called shadow selves. Tending to these parts fosters healing, though it can feel like wrestling with oneself, suppressing fear in control and protection. Learning to nurture and listen to shadow selves leads to clarity and deeper self-awareness. -- As a woman, mother, and sister, I’ve witnessed the erosion of women’s rights to bodily autonomy and political representation, reflecting the patriarchal culture of my evangelical upbringing. Art-making became my way to reclaim my body and voice, celebrating the female form through figurative work. For over twenty years, I’ve explored identity and being, creating dense compositions that embrace vulnerability and psychological tension. My practice seeks to transform tension into catharsis and connection. https://www.colleenkelseyart.com/