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Reviews
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Catherine on Feb 26, 2021
5 out of 5 starsLove this print! Detail is amazing. We are very happy with this purchase.
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Kelly Anne on Feb 18, 2021
5 out of 5 starsThank you Val! The quality is great and I can't wait to frame it!
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Kelly on Feb 9, 2021
5 out of 5 starsIt’s beautiful and arrived quickly. Can’t wait to get it framed!
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Donna on Jan 21, 2021
5 out of 5 starsThis poster is just beautiful in its color and detail! The paper has a heavier, high quality feel - and it will be perfect in my lake house!
Thank you for this wonderful and unique piece of art! -
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Garey on Dec 19, 2020
5 out of 5 starsVery impressive and beautiful Rockfish poster. Awesome!!! Arrived on time. Thank you very much
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Jeffrey on Nov 29, 2020
5 out of 5 starsShipped quickly and a beautiful and informative piece of art.
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Kelly on Nov 19, 2020
5 out of 5 starsI'm so happy with the quality and detail of Val's marlin grand slam print, I purchased the Peacock Bass as a gift. It's stunning! Her artwork is amazing. Bravo!
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Amber on Oct 31, 2020
5 out of 5 starsAbsolutely perfect addition to our guest room. gorgeous work With a classic look. Fast shipping and quick response times. I’ll be looking for excuses to purchase the artists work in the future.
About ValKellsNaturePrints
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My drafting table in the Fish Cave :)
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After a long and happy day: Crescent Shiner on my pallet.
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My pallet of 34 years tells the stories of thousands of illustrations.
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Got paint? Yep!
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Don, Paul. me, Mike, and Corbin with our VA AFS Chapter awards for publishing "Freshwater Fishes of Virginia."
From Paintings, to Books, to Prints
I am a highly trained Marine Science Illustrator with over 35 years of professional experience. I graduated in 1986 from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a degree in Science Communication and Scientific Illustration. I've been illustrating marine life ever since.
My work has appeared in over 30 public aquariums, museums, and nature centers in the United States and abroad. My illustrations have also been published in numerous books, periodicals, folding guides, and on note cards, posters, and in apps.
I work closely with scientists, curators, and researchers to ensure accuracy of color and morphology. To date, I've created over 2,000 illustrations of aquatic life, including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates.
My recent publications include:
• "A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: from Maine to Texas"
• "A Field Guide to Fishes of the Chesapeake Bay"
• "A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: from Alaska to California"
• "Tunas and Billfishes of the World"
• "Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia"
My clients have included:
• Johns Hopkins University Press
• The Nature Conservancy
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• University of California Press
• North Carolina Aquariums
• Texas State, New Jersey State aquariums
I am currently illustrating, writing, and designing "A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: Bermuda, Bahamas, and Caribbean Sea." This book will be published by JHUP.
Many family, friends, and associates encouraged me to sell Giclee prints and high-quality posters of my illustrations. So, in December, 2019, I began formatting a curated collection of prints for sale in this shop.
Because I'm a perfectionist to a fault, I was very careful in choosing my Giclee printer. I sampled many test prints, and chose to partner with American Art Creations. Their Giclee process ensures each print is identical to the original. Each Giclee is printed with archival inks on museum-quality 100% cotton Epsom Somerset Velvet 225 gsm. The Epsom print paper matches the texture of the original Arches 300 lb. hotpress paper. Colors are exacting.
Prints are shipped to me for inspection. I then sign and package with a Certificate of Authenticity. Prints are then delivered to customers.
My art posters include my original illustrations and designs. Each is printed on 10.3 mil thick paper, with a weight of 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²), using Giclée printing quality, and opacity of 94% and an ISO brightness of 104%. Posters produced and shipped directly from Printful, a trusted parter that has fulfilled over 2.2M orders.
I'm very proud of the quality and accuracy of these Giclee prints and art posters, and I sincerely hope customers enjoy their favorites as much as I enjoyed creating them.
Live, Love, Fish!
Cheers, Val
Shop members
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Val Kells
Owner
Marine Science Illustrator, Author, Fisherman, Naturalist, Geek. I've been illustrating aquatic life for over 35 years, and I've loved every minute of it. Don't see the print you're looking for? Feel free to contact me. Cheers, and Live, Love, Fish!
Production partners
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American Art Creations
Mount Airy, NC
AAC creates stunning, long lasting, museum-quality giclee prints. Every order is handled by their professional, knowledgeable technicians and service representatives. Prints are created on top-of-the-line Epson printers, using Epson archival inks and papers in a climate controlled environment.
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Printful
Charlotte, NC
Printful provides high quality, 300dpi, print-on-demand posters on premium papers. Orders are fulfilled and shipped directly to customers.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Giclee?
My Giclee prints are individually created in a climate controlled environment on professional, wide-format Epson printers using 100% archival Epsom Somerset Velvet paper and eight, rich, pigment inks. Each print is at 300dpi and precisely resembles my original illustrations to the most minute details. Kept out of direct sunlight, my Giclee prints retain their vibrance and stand the test of time.
Do you take custom orders?
Absolutely! I really enjoy working with folks to create unique and one-of-a kind Giclee prints.
Message me, and we'll get started.
Are your illustrations copyrighted?
Yes! All of my illustrations are copyright protected under the United States Copyright Law, so I own, maintain, and reserve all copyrights and use rights. All of my prints and posters are for personal use only and not for reproduction or resale of any kind without prior consent. Please respect my rights and feel free to contact me for separate uses. Thanks!
Do you accept returns?
Unfortunately, no. Giclee prints are custom ordered, packaged and shipped. However, if they are damaged during shipping to customers, I'll work to replace at a minimum cost. Poster orders are fulfilled and shipped directly from my print partners, and I unable to guarantee against damage during shipping. However, I'll work with customers to replace their posters at minimum cost.
What is my expected delivery?
Giclee orders are first placed and shipped to me for inspection, signing, and packaging. I then ship ASAP to customers. Turn around time is between 10 days to 2 weeks. Shipment is subject to USPS scheduling, and may be delayed due to COVID-19.
Poster orders are fulfilled and shipped directly to customers. Orders are usually fulfilled within 3-4 days. Shipment is subject to USPS scheduling, and may be delayed due to COVID-19.
Currently, USPS carriers are working overtime and weekends to try to deliver packages on time. During this challenging time, your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated!
How are your posters created, shipped, and cared for?
My posters are all designed by me using my original illustrations, printed in the giclee process, and are produced and shipped by Printful. Further details are in the listing descriptions. The surface is not coated, so please be careful to keep surfaces dry. Posters fit neatly into a standard 18x24 or 24x36 frame or magnetic hanger.
How do I ensure delivery?
To ensure delivery, the most important thing to do is enter your correct mailing address including capitalization of street names and cities. USPS does not automatically correct for mis-spelled, lower case, or incorrect addresses. So, before you click "place order" please triple check your mailing address :) Thanks!