The Life Drawing series followed Cross Roads Blues in 2020, during a period of introspection. This shift began when Kellett became intrigued by the circular marks left inside cups and bowls from regular stirring. These marks—subtle, yet persistent—became the foundation for Kellett’s ritualistic practice of drawing, which he engaged in daily.
Kellett’s fascination with the circle is deeply influenced by Eastern philosophy, where the circle represents both the eternal and the divine. In Zen Buddhism, the hand-drawn circle, or ensō, symbolizes enlightenment—an experience that cannot be explained, only realized by someone who has achieved a state of mental emptiness.
“I’m looking for a moment when someone is psychologically detached from the physical space they occupy—alone with their thoughts, even if only for a few seconds.”
Kellett’s fascination with the circle is deeply influenced by Eastern philosophy, where the circle represents both the eternal and the divine. In Zen Buddhism, the hand-drawn circle, or ensō, symbolizes enlightenment—an experience that cannot be explained, only realized by someone who has achieved a state of mental emptiness.
“I’m looking for a moment when someone is psychologically detached from the physical space they occupy—alone with their thoughts, even if only for a few seconds.”
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Av. Almirante Barroso, Rio, Brazil), 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Avenida Presidente Vargas, Rio, Brazil), 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Calle Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City) , 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Cornhill, London), 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Great Eastern Rd., London), 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Madison St, NY), 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues, Paseo De Los Pontones, Madrid, 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues, West 30th St, New York , 2019
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (3rd Ave., Seattle), 2018
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Marion St, Seattle), 2018
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Virginia St, Seattle), 2018
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (1st St, Miami), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Alaskan Way Seattle), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Dartmounth St, Boston), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Grand Ave Chicago), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Hope St, LA), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Hubbard St, Chicago), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (PeachTree St, Atlanta), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Stockton St, San Francisco), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Tremont St, Boston), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Van Buren Way, Phoenix), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (West 4th St, LA), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (William St, Atlanta), 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues, 4th Ave, Seattle, 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues, John Portman Blvd, Atlanta, 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues, Westwood Blvd, LA, 2017
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Figueroa St, LA), 2016
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Illinois St., Chicago), 2016
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Carson Ave, Las Vegas)
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Columbia Way, Seattle)
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Oli Kellett, Cross Road Blues (Louisiana St, Houston)
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Oli Kellett, Lamar St, Houston