Original Art

Original charcoal drawings by Derek Kelley, exploring human emotion through light, shadow, and movement.

For availability, additional photographs, framing details, or shipping arrangements, please inquire about the artwork that interests you.

Pathos | The Illuminated Rhetoric

Original charcoal on white Bristol board
18 × 24 inches

Awarded Second Place, 2026 SCAA Art at the Avenue Juried Exhibition

$5,000.00

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Ethos | 18 x 24 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | The Illuminated Rhetoric series | $3,000.00

Ethos | 18 x 24 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | The Illuminated Rhetoric series | $3,000.00

Logos | 18 x 24 | Charcoal on White Bristol Board | The Illuminated Rhetoric series | $3,000.00

Logos | 18 x 24 | Charcoal on White Bristol Board | The Illuminated Rhetoric series | $3,000.00

The Humming Bird | 12 x 18 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

The Humming Bird | 12 x 18 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

The Silver Quiet | 9 x 12 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $2,000.00

The Silver Quiet | 9 x 12 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $2,000.00

The Dream That Stayed | 12 x 16 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

The Dream That Stayed | 12 x 16 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

The Natural Anomaly | 12 x 16 | Charcoal on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

The Natural Anomaly | 12 x 16 | Charcoal on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

She Played Until There Was Nothing Left | 12 x 16 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $2,500.00

She Played Until There Was Nothing Left | 12 x 16 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $2,500.00

The Room Left Behind | 12 x 16 | Charcoal on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

The Room Left Behind | 12 x 16 | Charcoal on White Bristol Board | $1,500.00

Courage | 10 x 16 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $2,000.00

Courage | 10 x 16 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $2,000.00

Crucible | 18 x 23.5 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $5,000.00

Crucible | 18 x 23.5 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $5,000.00

Alienation | 23.5 x 16.5 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $3,000.00

Alienation | 23.5 x 16.5 | Charcoal & White Pastel on White Bristol Board | $3,000.00

Lily | 17.5 x 13.5 | Charcoal & Tinted Charcoal on Paper | $650.00 | SOLD

Lily | 17.5 x 13.5 | Charcoal & Tinted Charcoal on Paper | $650.00 | SOLD

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Behind the Scenes

That night, her, there, dancing all alone. “A Waltz in Absentia” Compressed and vine charcoal on white Bristol board 18 × 24 in. What feeling does this piece bring forward for you? #charcoaldrawing #chiaroscuro #fineart #artreveal #artprocess
Time is relentless, but grace is eternal. “At the Still Point” - Charcoal and pastel on white bristle board paper. An hourglass is designed to measure the relentless passing of time, yet it has no way to measure composure. Even with the sand pouring down from above, she claims the space she stands in. Wait for the full reveal at 0:45. When you look at the finished piece, do you feel the pressure of time, or the peace of the dancer? Let me know in the comments. #charcoaldrawing #artreveal #fineart #drawingprocess #contemporaryrealism
Still, her light endures. Charcoal drawing on white paper. I use erasers and white pastel for the light. Let me know how you feel about my drawing in the comments. #artprocess #fineart #drawinglight #charcoalart #artistic
This charcoal drawing is a ballet between light and darkness, and a reminder that art takes time, patience, and countless quiet moments that no one sees. Time disappears when you’re chasing something that once existed only in your imagination. Please let me know your thoughts. 🙏#charcoaldrawing #artprocess #art #fineart #blackandwhiteart
Layers of shadow, resilience, and undeniable presence. #charcoaldrawing #artreel #artprocess #mindfulart #artist
Time falls whether we yield to it or not. But in this single, defiant second, she refuses to bow to the sand. She doesn’t ask for eternity. She commands the present. Blacking out pure white paper and carving out the light with an eraser to bring her forward. Subtractive charcoal drawing on white paper. What would you title her? Let me know in the comments 👇 . . . #charcoaldrawing #artprocess #drawingprocess #hyperrealism #charcoalart
First the shadow, then the soul. My latest charcoal drawing process video. What does she stand for? #charcoaldrawing #drawingprocess #art #instaart #draw
The Choreography of an Echo. My latest charcoal drawing and full drawing process video. What do you think? I used charcoal and erasers on white bristle board paper. #charcoaldrawing #drawingprocess #fineart #masterpiece #art
Moths & Butterflies - my latest charcoal drawing. Compressed charcoal, vine charcoal, eraser and white pastel on white bristle board paper. #charcoaldrawing #artreveal #artistsofinstagram #artprocess #fineart
Over 100 hours in and finally down to the brightest highlights and the darkest shadows. What emotion does this piece give you so far? (Final reveal dropping soon). #reelart #fineart #drawingprocess #charcoaldrawing #dramaticlighting
The light is bright enough now. She can no longer hide from what she already knows. Her mind races as one decision remains before everything changes. That’s one of the many stories I have for her in my mind. As I build each layer of charcoal, I watch her transform. Her expression shifts, her emotion changes, and little by little, I learn her story. That’s one of the reasons I love charcoal. Every drawing feels like discovering the story as I create it. What’s her story to you? #charcoaldrawing #art #artist #fineart #artistsofinstagram
Incredibly honored to share that ‘Pathos’ won 2nd Place at the SCAA Art at the Avenue show! 🥈 There was a time in my life when standing in a room like this felt entirely out of reach. Finding my way through some of my hardest chapters to
Incredibly honored to share that ‘Pathos’ won 2nd Place at the SCAA Art at the Avenue show! 🥈 There was a time in my life when standing in a room like this felt entirely out of reach. Finding my way through some of my hardest chapters to now be sharing my work among such incredibly talented artists is a surreal and beautiful milestone. To see this piece from ‘The Illuminated rhetoric’ series recognized alongside such phenomenal artwork is truly a humbling experience. A massive thank you to the judges, the SCAA, and everyone who continues to support my work! @scaaorg #artshow #fineart #charcoaldrawing #artattheavenue #artistsofinstagram
“The Silver Quiet”, is a meditation on duality and the conscious shift of perspective. It depicts a solitary figure in deep shadow, her silhouette defined by minimal points of light, in the act of gently cradling a single, glowing orb. F
“The Silver Quiet”, is a meditation on duality and the conscious shift of perspective. It depicts a solitary figure in deep shadow, her silhouette defined by minimal points of light, in the act of gently cradling a single, glowing orb. For me, this piece represents the realization that while we must often navigate seasons of darkness, hardship, and pain, we are also the intentional holders of our own light. The glowing sphere is the powerful center, a chosen perspective of happiness and hope that cuts through the void. Duality exists in everything; once we understand that we have the power to choose which of these coexisting perspectives to live by, we can choose to be happy. Visually, this was achieved through an original creation using rich, heavy charcoal to sculpt the vast shadows, with select white pastel highlights used only for the radiating orb and the crisp edge of the figure, pushing the absolute contrast of light and dark. Prints available through my bio. 🙏 #fineart #charcoaldrawing #art #artprint #duality
Probably my most… unique piece. Here’s a look at the early stages of my latest piece. Building that deep contrast with charcoal and finding the light through subtractive erasing. The white pastel highlights bring it all together, but for now... to be continued. #charcoaldrawing #artprocess #artreels #darkaesthetic #art
“The Dream That Stayed.” Charcoal, an eraser, and a touch of white pastel on Bristol board. Please, share your most memorable dreams in the comments. #charcoaldrawing #artist #artreveal #artprocess #masterpiece