Kelly Klages is an artist, writer, and creative dabbler. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she received her B.A. in Studio Art from Goucher College in 2003. The following year, Kelly moved to Winkler, Manitoba with her husband Alex. They currently live in the nearby city of Morden with their daughter and two sons.

Fine Art

Over the years, Kelly has taken a special interest in portraiture and miniature painting. Acrylics are her primary medium. Kelly’s work has been on display in various galleries and locations throughout the province. Her interest in theologically-informed art as a catechetical resource led her to create the book Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, a collection of illustrated hymns for children. In 2015, she provided illustrations for children's resources pertaining to domestic abuse for the LCMS Task Force on Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. She has illustrated two board books for Kloria Publishing as well as book covers for other authors. A local theatre enthusiast, she has also painted set pieces for the Manitou Opera House and is currently finishing an outdoor mural for the Kenmor Theatre in Morden. Kelly takes commissions for fine art ranging from portraits and still life to illuminated calligraphy.

Other Books and Writing

Kelly’s interest in writing about theology, fuelled by years of blogging and articles in publications such as Higher Things, the Canadian Lutheran and Lutheran Forum, led to the book Water with the Word: A Baptism Q&A, an apologia for the sacramental efficacy of Baptism. Kelly began writing hymnody in 2012 and was invited to join an international conference of hymnists, sponsored by the LCMS, in January 2013. Two hymns published by Concordia Publishing House, “Sing We Exiles” and “My Place is With You,” were used as theme hymns for their 2015 and 2016 Lenten resource packages. Her hymn, “Jesus Came a Babe Among Us,” was a special commission as part of the LCMS service materials for use in the 2016-17 celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. She penned a children’s song, “Thanks Be To God,” which was used in CPH’s Reformation-themed Vacation Bible School package in 2017.

Crafting and Hobbies

Kelly’s crafting interests are wide-ranging and include many forms of paper-crafting, quilt design, jewellery-making, food art, and mixed media projects. She has painted card designs for Emmanuel Press and is currently working with a company called Ad Crucem, providing an assortment of products such as jewelry, ornaments, and handmade cards.

In her spare time, Kelly loves reading, writing short stories, singing and playing instruments, and participating in local theatre projects. She has created a huge volume of fan art relating to Agatha Christie’s Poirot, maintaining a blog entirely dedicated to the famous fictional detective. She wrote a full-length (unofficial) Poirot novel and has made it freely available online.

To see some of Kelly's projects, take a look at the GALLERY.

To contact Kelly:

Kelly Klages
418 10th St
Morden, MB R6M 1L8
CANADA
kellyklages@hotmail.com
1-(204) 822-9464