Archives West Finding Aid

This oral history interview with Lee Kelly was conducted by Marian W. Kolisch at Kelly's home in Oregon City, Oregon, on August 18, 1987. The interview was part of a series conducted by Oregon photographer Marian W. Kolisch to accompany portraits of Oregon artists, businesspeople, and politicians.

In the interview, Kelly briefly discusses his early life in McCall, Idaho, and his experience in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He talks about studying art at Vanport College, which later became Portland State University, and at the Museum School, which later became the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He discusses his art and sculpture, including working with metal and his East Asian influences. He talks about the history of using paint in sculpture, his creative process, and creating art for commissions. He closes the interview by discussing the challenges in making a living as an artist.