Kelly Frohnauer: Painter, Creator, Inspirer
Growing up in the quiet, natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Kelly Frohnauer developed a deep connection to the calm, strength, and quiet wisdom of nature. That connection continues to shape her work today. Through her paintings, she invites viewers to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the peaceful moments often overlooked in daily life.
Kelly studied at the Milan Art Institute, where she refined her technical skills and deepened her understanding of art as a meaningful way to communicate beauty, hope, and reflection. Working in both watercolor and oil, her paintings are inspired by birds, wildflowers, and the quiet rhythms of the natural world.
Guided by themes of peace, restoration, and spiritual reflection, Kelly creates work that brings a sense of calm and harmony to the spaces it inhabits. Her paintings are represented in a local gallery and are held in private collections.
In addition to her studio practice, Kelly teaches watercolor workshops, encouraging others to discover the restorative joy of creating and the beauty of slowing down.
Through her work, Kelly seeks to do more than create art for the wall. Her paintings are intended to nurture the soul and bring a quiet sense of warmth, peace, and belonging into the home.
A beautiful evening on the Oregon Coast
Artist Statement
As long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to art—not just as a way to create something beautiful, but as a way to slow down and notice the quiet moments in life.
Nature has always been where I feel most at peace. Living beside a small creek, I’m continually inspired by the birds, wildflowers, wildlife, and the changing light around me. Blue herons, songbirds, and quiet moments from nature often make their way into my paintings, reflecting the gentle beauty that surrounds us when we slow down long enough to notice it.
My work is rooted in themes of peace, hope, and restoration. Like many people, I’ve walked through difficult seasons in life, and painting has become a way to transform those experiences into something meaningful. Over time I’ve learned that beauty often grows in the middle of hardship.
Working in watercolor and oil, I blend realism with expressive color and texture to create paintings that feel calm, uplifting, and harmonious. Each piece is created with the hope that it will bring a sense of warmth and quiet joy to the space it lives in—filling a home with beauty, comfort, and a gentle reminder to pause and breathe.
-Kelly Frohnauer
Some Fun Facts About the Artist
- I live in a woodland meadow nestled among huge pine and madrone trees in a small town named Merlin, located in southern Oregon, U.S.A.
- My favorite colors are blue, purple and green, and earth tones.
- I love cats and currently have a beautiful long hair grey and white kitty with a wild and playful personality. We also have a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd that brings a bit of wildness to our lives!
- I like to hike in the forest, relax at the river, go to the ocean, draw, paint, listen to worship music, be with my grandchildren, gather and prepare my own herbs for tea and medicine.
- I was a traditional midwife attending home births from 1986 – 2023 and have participated in over 250 births.
- I own a small home business manufacturing organic skin care products that has provided all natural, anti-aging products for over 23 years. My skin care website is https://nfbotanicals.com