kelly mcdonald

Kelly McDonald is a Canadian photo-based artist living with Parkinson’s disease. Using a contemplative approach, Kelly explores the numerous changes that have occurred in her body with the progression of the disease. The resulting images of botanicals at various stages of their life cycle, printed on delicate washi paper, mirror her Parkinson’s journey and acknowledge a gradual disappearance of capabilities while honouring resilience.

Kelly is represented by Wall Space Gallery, Ottawa

Comments"The erosion of her prints mirrors her gradual and ongoing loss in mobility. Her openness about and acceptance of her disease shine through in these works while highlighting how easy it is to ignore these realities of life. The preservation of beauty reminds us of what we’re holding on to but also what’s to come" - Ava Margueritte, photographer, Ottawa"I appreciate Kelly's water flowers series. Beyond their beauty and grace and the artist's great sense of space and composition, I love her sensitive approach of submerging her flowers in water. They convey an eerie sense of otherworldliness. Although I know that they are linked to her experience with Parkinson’s, they also convey a feeling of peace and repose. The images are intimate and personal and the artist takes the experience of flowers depicted in art to a whole different level. Bravo Kelly !" - Lyne Bastien, artist, Montréal"Through her sublime mono and cyanotype wonders-on-washi, this mega-talented photographer portrays grace and dignity in the aesthetic of the decline." - YW, writer, Ottawa"l'm at a loss for words on how you capture variations of flowers, Kelly ! Truly amazing ! Beautiful !" - AVW, photographer, South Africa

Profile photograph by Curtis Perry

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Education
2023 - Artist Residency, SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre
2023 - Photographic Arts and Production Diploma, SPAO: Photographic Arts CentreAwards and Grants
2025 - Project XO Award/ Finalist, Ottawa
2025 - Ontario Arts Council Grant / Toxic/Cure, Toronto
2025 - Ottawa Awards / Winner Photography Account, Ottawa
2025 - Apex Awards / Finalist, Ottawa
2024 - Ottawa Awards / Nominee Photography Account, Ottawa
2024 - Ontario Arts Council Grant / What Remains, Toronto
2024 - Ontario Arts Council Grant / Toronto
2023 - 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award / Honourable Mention - Series, BarcelonaExhibitions
2026 - Transmuted Terrains / Group exhibition, Wall Space Gallery, Ottawa
2025 - On The Shoulders of Giants / Group exhibition, Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa
2025 - Outaouais Herb Gathering / Solo exhibition, Gatineau
2025 - Art de Vivre / Group exhibition, Hudson
2024/25 - Amplification Unidentified / Group exhibition, Gallery 200, Ottawa
2024 - Honeysuckle / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2024 - Art de Vivre / Group exhibition, Hudson
2024 - The Cyanotypes / Group exhibition, Art House, Ottawa
2024 - Relics / Book launch and exhibition, Wall Space Gallery, Ottawa
2024 - Unidentified / Group exhibition, CONTACT Photography Festival, Northern Contemporary Gallery, Toronto
2024 - 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers / Group exhibition, Fotonostrum, Barcelona
2023 - Luck! Chance! / Fundraising exhibition, Ottawa Arts Council, Ottawa
2023 - Florere / Solo exhibition, Little Sisterz, Spencerville
2023 - Chase The Light / Group exhibition, Photographic Center NW, Seattle
2023 - Exhibition No. 18 / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2023 - Home / Chez Soi / Group exhibition, Do It For The Grain, Ottawa
2022 - Open House / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2022 - Exhibition No. 17 / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2021 - Print & Garage Sale / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2021 - Open House / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2018 - Hello World, This Is Me / Group exhibition, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2017 - 21 Reasons / Group exhibition, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2016 - Hidden Woodland / Solo exhibition, Zolas, OttawaPublications
2024 - Relics, photobook
2024 - Visions, photobook
2023 - Through Our Eyes, photobook
2023 - Florere, photobook
2023 - Do It for the Grain, Volume 5, Issue No. 3
2022 - Epiphany, SPAO Annual 2021/22Curation
2026 - Downside Up / Art House, Ottawa
2025 - True To Life 2025 / Art House, Ottawa
2018 - Hello World, This Is Me / World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2017 - 21 Reasons / World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, OttawaTraining Programme
Since 2018 - True To Life / Photography training programme for young adults with Down syndrome, Ottawa

Profile photograph by John Healey

Mentoring

My photography practice is based on quiet, calm and consideration. I photograph botanicals at various stages of their life, honouring their beauty, existence and resilience.By using a contemplative approach, I am able to see through a deeper realization.I am offering mentoring to photographers who wish to see differently.This is a shared journey where wisdom, intuition and technique meet through the quiet art of seeing. I offer encouragement, exploration, structured support, and gentle critique tailored to your needs.Each one-on-one session is two-hours long. There is an initial series of three sessions followed by an agreed timetable of sessions.The initial series is $250. Each two-hour session is then $80. There is a ten percent discount when you book and pay for six sessions.To register or for more information, please email me at [email protected]

True to Life

"True To Life is an ongoing series of photography workshops. It provides opportunities for creative young adults with Down syndrome to learn about photography, to develop their skills, and to show us the world through their eyes. It is a special program that I developed more than 10 years ago and is very close to my heart." - Kelly