April Kelly knows about networking and she knows about managing employees. The Gretna resident and author of the book "Gratitude at Work: How to Say Thank You, Give Kudos and Get the Best From Those You Lead," printed in 2009, knows firsthand because of her career and motherhood.
She once worked as the program director for LinkedIn Live at LinkedIn and for PayPal.
But now Kelly is exploring a new area as an artist. She said she got into painting artwork by accident. It was a hobby and an outlet to express feelings.
"As I started painting, friends would come over and say, 'Wow, I really like this,'" Kelly said.
In the last 16 months Kelly has been painting and creating artwork and later this month between 25 and 30 pieces will be on display at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha. "Art is Life" art exhibit will be up from Feb. 16 to March 15.
Kelly describes her artwork as full of life, energy and bright colors which rejuvenates the senses and elicits a smile. Kelly works with acrylic on canvas and uses a special finish to give the work the illusion of a glass coating.
"The best compliment one of my paintings can bring is a smile," she wrote in an artist's statement.
Kelly said she has no formal painting training beyond high school art. She likes to mix colors and textures and test new ideas to see what works. Kelly said she has on-the-job training and seeks others' opinions.
"It's one thing if it's neat, but when someone else says that's cool, maybe I was right after all," she said.
Over time people started requesting her to paint pictures. At first she gave them away as gifts, and then others started to pay.
Naturally networking, since that is what Kelly does, she knew a person at Lauritzen Gardens and suggested if they ever needed an artist that she would be willing to display her work. Kelly already has artwork on display at an art gallery in Springfield and Woodland Park, Colo.
"I'm getting national exposure that is a lot of fun," she said. "Who knows where it will go?"
The art exhibit will also give Kelly a chance to set up a limited release of her second book, "Spaghetti on the Wall: Branding and Networking Methods that Stick." This book contains lessons learned at LinkedIn. She said the title came from the idea of brainstorming and knowing some idea "would stick."
The book is for people who want to learn exactly how to network and brand themselves. This book explains the basic methods and how a person can get started.
Kelly will have several book signings between March and June and the book will be officially released in June.
In the meantime, she will continue to spend time on her artwork, independent consulting and advising another startup company in Canada.
"I'm definitely staying busy," she said.
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