Portfolio
of Kelly Callahan
New Work: A Graphic Novel
The Keepers of Nettie Oulton is an historical fiction hybrid novel collaboration between Kit McCann and illustrator, Kelly Callahan. The media used in this novel is alternatively: fully hand-painted gouache spreads and watercolor journal entries. The novel is fully complete, at 250 pages and approximately 28,000 words. No computer generated images or words were used in the creation of the art or writing for this novel.
The Keepers of Nettie Oulton is about a contemporary nonbinary young adult living in New England, who is bequeathed a lighthouse keeper's logbook from nearly 200 years ago that has been secretly passed down through their family over 5 generations. The titular, fictional keeper is a woman stationed on a rock off the shoals of Massachusetts, on the precipice of 3 historically accurate storms that devastated the harbor of New Bedford in December of 1839. This body of work is the culmination of 100's of hours of research into the nautical and maritime histories of 19th century New England, coupled with our lived experience as queer adults in the modern world.
Synopsis of the graphic novel provided by the writer Kit McCann
Illustrator
Kelly Callahan
Writer
Kit McCann
Currently seeking agent representation
About Kelly Callahan
Painting
Set Design
Set Design
My primary studio focus right now is large oil paintings, and showing my work locally on Martha's Vineyard.
Set Design
Set Design
Set Design
Through my role as a High School educator I designed sets and props for four staged productions.
Illustration
Illustration
Illustration
I am an illustrator of one graphic novel, currently seeking agent representation.
Education
Illustration
Illustration
I am an inclusive educator designing and running art rooms that serve all students. I serve High School, Middle School as well as Elementary students.