Michael F Kelly (1887 - 1984) American, watercolor on paper Signed measures 10"x22" w/f 15.7"x 27" Michael Kelly – From Gloucester, Massachusetts to Cold Spring, New YorkMichael F. Kelly was born on July 9, 1887 in Mount Holly, a rural Westchester, NY area. As a youngster, he quickly realized that his deepest interests were in the visual arts – drawing, woodcarving and painting. Kelly was a 1921 graduate of the Pratt Institute of Fine and Applied Arts, where he became the studio assistant to artist Ezra Winter, and also won a scholarship to travel and study in Europe.Before going abroad Kelly was invited to spend the summer at the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation in Long Island. Kelly lived, worked and studied there, and the legendary Tiffany offered valuable criticism and advice. Tiffany urged Kelly to study nature in all its forms, colors and shapes to better understand the mystery of design. In the fall of 1921 Kelly left for Europe, embarking on an extensive survey of museums, galleries, historical landmarks, church art and architecture, and modern art exhibits. He studied in Paris, Florence and Rome.Refreshed by these enriching experiences, Kelly returned to his work as studio assistant to Prix de Rome artist Ezra Winters. Kelly remained an assistant to Winters and others from 1922 through 1939, working on design projects for the Cunard Building in New York City, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, the United States Chamber of Commerce Building in Washington D.C, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair, among others. During this time he completed his own drawings and paintings that reflected life in the Depression Era. One of Kelly’s own designs reached the finals in a contest sponsored by the 1939 World’s Fair.

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