Passion for painting takes Pugh around the world

by Janet Keeler Wilcox
Contributing writer
Success in most jobs is just a matter of putting your shoulder to the wheel and pushing forward. But for Blanding Artist Kelly Pugh, it’s putting the right brush to the canvas and painting and repainting. 
Kelly’s creative talent began in elementary school and expanded at San Juan High, eventually culminating with degrees in Art Education and a Masters of Fine Arts. Best of all, he gets to work at what he enjoys every day. 
Kelly has always loved the outdoors and in elementary school he painted nature and animals. He became a semi-professional at that time, as his friends would give him a quarter to draw something for them.
He later took every art class he could and was nurtured and motivated by Betsy McPherson in junior high and Tony Wojcik at San Juan High School.
His high school counselor suggested he become an art teacher, but Mr. Wojcik assured him that if he did that he’d never have the time nor energy to become a great artist.  
After an LDS mission to Mazatlán, Mexico, Kelly met Sheri Bloddget who became his wife and #1 supporter/ cheerleader.
He worked on an art degree as his high school counselor advised, but just before he was to do student teaching, he decided to earn a Bachelors of Fine Arts.
He heeded Wojcik’s advice and set a goal to spend his time and creative powers painting rather than teaching.  
Through friends of the Bloddgets, Kelly was hired to paint murals for the “well-to-do” in Las Vegas, including the owner of Circus Circus.
They moved there and Kelly loved the work, but they had many heart ties in Utah and decided to move back with their three little boys.
He next did paintings for Parade of Homes in the Provo area, but it was a hard time financially and space-wise. 
He had to use his car as his studio, as the small trailer they lived in was too full of “life” to be a studio for fine art. 
At that time Kelly made a lifelong friend and art contact with his home teacher, Ian Roylance, who worked in the movie industry.
He commissioned Kelly to illustrate a book on the Sockeye Salmon, as well as do a painting for Kevin Costner.
They Came to Grayson Vol. 1 was his next book project. His Uncle Ike Chamberlain initiated the project for Blanding’s Centennial in 2005.
Descendants of early settlers wrote short histories about their ancestors and the role they played in founding Grayson. Kelly’s task was to illustrate each story and he spent many hours capturing the rich heritage, stubborn pride, and humble beginnings of these pioneers. These portraits are showcased in Vol. 1 and are in the homes of descendants. 
This opportunity ignited Kelly’s passion to paint not only Utah Pioneers, but other historical figures and events in both county and gospel history. Hundreds of these customized paintings hang in homes throughout the community.
While working with his Uncle Ike, they bought a large color printer and equipment that facilitated making multiple copies of Kelly’s art.
His painting of “Sad, Mad, and Glad” based on a 2017 conference talk by Elder Uchtdorf was painted within two days after he heard the talk. It is a classic and color prints have been made for dozens of people.
His Aunt, LouNell Chamberlain, observed, “Kelly has a kindness, compassion, and heart to see the good in others, and this is reflected in the beautiful paintings he creates. 
“He never wants to take advantage of anyone, so his compensation for his great talent and detailed work is always much less than what it should be.”
Kline and Diane Carroll have had him paint a dozen or more family portraits, as well as historic LDS church events. 
Kelly has illustrated several books written by Otis Wright and Bob McPherson. He painted the cover for McPherson’s John Holiday book, illustrations (drawings) in the Fin Bayles book, as well as some in all three volumes of the trilogy (Traditional Navajo Teachings).
In Scouting for the Bluecoats, Navajos, Apaches, and the U.S. Military which will be out in December or January. 
Several years ago, Kelly painted a picture of my mother, Margaret Henderson, as a young girl.
I had several specific things I wanted included: My mom needed to be about eight and reading books, sitting under a tree by Willow Creek at their dairy farm near Malad, Idaho.
Her older sisters would be raking hay into piles while her brothers and father pitched the hay onto a horse drawn wagon. 
Kelly was very patient and wonderful to work with and willing to work in all these historic details and tweak the painting.
He put the cutest shoes on my mom, but I had to have him change that, because my mom always went barefoot and only had one pair of shoes!
Cliff Palace Redo:  Lou Nell also recalled the hundreds of hours Kelly spent painting beautiful scenes of historical significance in the Cliff Palace Motel. Even though those are gone now, they made a lasting impression.   
One lady who stayed there was from Costa Rica. She was so impacted that she returned to Blanding and requested The Hole in the Rock room again. 
She later commissioned Kelly to come to Costa Rick to paint a mural in her home.  The Pughs have returned twice to visit and paint.
Kelly’s wife, Sheri, has been a key influence in his life. Because of her savvy and love of travel, many doors have opened for them.
They have traveled to Europe, the Holy Land, Mexico, and Korea. While they were in Korea with his parents in Kwang Ju for his dad’s 50th mission reunion, the saints there learned of his talent and Kelly reciprocated by painting a picture of their temple so they could all have a copy.
Over the years Kelly has entered his paintings in many art shows and competitions, both locally and All Church competitions in Salt Lake City where his work has been displayed with contest finalists.
His capstone project after going back to school and earning a Masters degree in Fine Arts, was redoing the Natural History Museum in Price. He was also commissioned to do a series of paintings in two schools in Alaska.
Albert R. Lyman School also features one of his murals, as does the Blue Mountain Hospital. He also did two beautiful paintings of Christ for the Baptist Church in Blanding.
His mom, MaryAnn Pugh, made this final observation: “Kelly is one of the only people I know who loves going to work every day. He is always very busy and has many projects in the works.”  
Their son John manages print sales at RidgewayArt.com or contact blandingartist@yahoo.com.