Murphy – The Senior Games and SilverArts is an annual competition encompassing Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties in which folks come together to compete in sports as well as a variety of the arts. Medals are awarded, and the best in their categories get to shine for their efforts.
Kelly Kennon, who loves photography, is one such gold medal winner in the SilverArts portion of the Senior Games. A native of Ohio, today Kennon lives in Murphy. She’s primarily self-taught and took up photography in 2015.
Her passion comes from animals. She once saw a bison in Yellowstone, and it just clicked with her. She continued on from there.
Kennon enjoys wildlife and landscape photography. She will sit for hours observing to get a perfect shot.
“Wildlife is more challenging because you have to rely on the animals participating. You’re on their terms,” she said.
As for her landscape photography, “It’s all about the light,” Kennon said. She’ll hike to a location while it’s still dark outside and wait for the sun to come up.
Her dedication to her craft has paid off. Kennon won the gold medal in her category for a piece she titled, “Lighthouse in the Storm.”
Her photos are displayed on the walls at the Valley River Arts Guild, ShoeBooties Restaurant and the Blue Ridge (Ga.) Antique Mall.
Kennon has won awards in both local and state competitions. Her work can be seen by visiting kellykennonphotos.pixels.com and on Facebook at Kelly Kennon Photography.
A silver and gold medal went to Cathy Mozley of Murphy for her work with pastels. Mozley has been painting for six years.
It all started when she had an opportunity to take a class in watercolor painting, but the class was full. Instead, Mozley took a class in pastels – and loved it.
“It’s painting from the heart. Holding the paint in your hand is the closest it gets to your heart,” she said.
Her gold medal-winning painting, titled “Creeking up on Autumn,” is a scene off of Joe Brown Highway north of Murphy. A silver medal was awarded for her painting “Tranquil Moments.”
For details, visitcherokeecountyseniorgames.org.