About

Tori Kelley is a multidisciplinary artist focusing on creative resilience through the power of story, music, art, and therapy.

As a child, Tori’s voice was silenced. By age 18, she had only an eighth-grade education. Despite those beginnings, she refused to let her circumstances define her future. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Counseling and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults, proving that resilience can rewrite even the hardest stories.

Growing up, Tori’s mother often told her that her singing voice “hurt her ears.” Rather than giving up, Tori found the courage to keep singing. She has since written, performed, and produced two albums of original music—True to You and Beautiful Pain—both chronicling the journey from tragedy to triumph.

Persistence has also shaped her writing career. After receiving 199 rejections, Tori signed with literary agent Joyce Sweeney of The Seymour Agency, who now represents her stories of resilience to publishers.

Art, too, became an act of reclaiming her authentic self. Although an aptitude test in middle school revealed strengths as an artist, kindergarten teacher, or psychologist, Tori was discouraged from pursuing art and directed toward psychology instead. Today, she has embraced both callings. In 2025, her artwork was exhibited at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, where it received the Gold Award for Excellence. She is currently studying at the Milan Art Institute, joyfully pursuing the artistic dream she carried throughout her life.

Tori invites you to explore her gallery and studio, where each piece is created to inspire courage, healing, and perseverance.

People will tell you “no.” The question is whether you’ll believe their voices—or your own beating heart.

This is more than an art site. It is a place for those who grew up carrying the wounds of childhood and are ready to reclaim their voice, their creativity, and their power. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or told you couldn’t become who you were meant to be, you’re in the right place. Your story isn’t over. Sometimes the most beautiful chapters begin the moment you decide to believe in yourself.

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. from Barry University (2005)
Specialization: Counseling/Marriage and Family Therapy

M.F.A. Vermont College of Fine Arts (July 2022)
Specialization: Writing for Children and Young Adults

M.S. from Stetson University (2000)
Specialization: Mental Health Counseling

B.A. from Appalachian State University (1998)
Major: Psychology
Minor: International Business

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS:  

STORY

• Tori is represented by literary agent, Joyce Sweeney, Director of Kid Lit at the Seymour Literary Agency, and has several manuscripts out on submission with editors for traditional publication.
• June 2, 2025. “Siblings on the High Seas” Poem Accepted into Poetry Festival.com.
• November, 2024. Round Table Leader, NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English): Let’s Talk About Mental Health! Exploring the Power of Story, with Alexandra Flinn, A.S. King, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Kerry O’Malley Cerra, Melody Maysonet, Susan Densmore James, James Bird, Jarret Lerner, Emily, Finnegan, Brooke Eisenbach, and Jason Frydman.
• November, 2024. Panelist/Presenter, 2024 NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English): Mental Health Literacy and ELA: Using Books to Normalize Conversation, with Alexandra Flinn, A.S. King, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Kerry O’Malley Cerra, Melody Maysonet, Susan Densmore James, James Bird, Jarret Lerner, Emily, Finnegan, Brooke Eisenbach, and Jason Frydman.
• May 2022. Critical Essay: Reading on the Highway: How Reading Young Adult and Middle Grade Novels about Trauma Can Change Our Brains through Neuroplasticity by Linking Readers through Sensory Details, Creating New Healing Pathways.
• November, 2023. Panelist/Presenter, NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English): The In-Between: Bringing Hope to Mental Health Literacy, with Adina Basler, Alena Bruzas, A.S. King, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, and Ashley Wilda.
• July, 2022. Graduate Lecturer at Vermont College of Fine Arts, Summer Residency 2022. TAXI: Buckle Young Readers into Your Story Car with Neuroscience.
• 2016. Young Adult Manuscript, HEADBANGER, chosen for an SCBWI Florida RISING KITE award.
• December, 2005. Doctoral Dissertation: Treating Depression with Taekwondo.
• 2003-2008. Weekly Advice Column Writer, “Talking With Tori,” in The South Lake Press.

MUSIC

• Made it through three rounds of producer auditions on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT (Season 19)
• Singer-songwriter/Producer of two albums: BEAUTIFUL PAIN and TRUE TO YOU
• Performed originals and covers
• Sang for the Mayor at Carnevale in Sacile, Italy

ART

• July 18-24, 2025. Exhibited two paintings, “Bright Life” (Acrylic, 11×14) and “Unlimited” (Acrylic and Mixed-Media, 8×10), at the Yerevan Expo, curated by Nadine Isajanyan and Julienne Johnson, at The Modern Art Museum of Yerevan, Yerevan, Armenia.
• June 6-12, 2025. Represented the United States in the 24^th Japan International Art Exchange Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum , curated by Julienne Johnson, and earned the Gold Award for Excellence for “Flying Through Italy” (Photography, 11×14), which is now accepted into the Corporate Collection in Japan to be used in rotating non-profit exhibitions in Japan and China for cultural enrichment of the people and for teaching.
• May 2025. Two artworks accepted for the Life in the Pet Lane Healthy West Orange Arts Center. “Good Blue Dog” (Oil Pastel, 5×7) and “Got Tuna?” (Charcoal, 5×7).
• April, 2025. Won Second and Third place for the South Lake Art League Spring Photography Show for “Carnevale Peacock” (18×30) and “Carnevale Peacock Face” (16×20).
• April 19, 2025. Accepted into the Winter Haven Art Festival for soft pastels and mixed-media.
• August, 2024. Won First, Second, and Third place for the South Lake Art League Fall Photography Show for “The Power of Red” (16×20), “Carnevale Wedding” (16×20) and “Flying Through Italy” (11×14).
• April, 2024. Won Third place for “All We Need Is Love” (Ink, Acrylic and Mixed-Media, 16×20) in the South Lake Art League Spring Art Show.
• Art Teacher of Soft Pastels and Mixed Media Art Journaling Classes.
• Featured Artist of the Month (February 2023 and May 2025) South Lake Art League.
• RedBubble.com Professional Artist Store featuring my designs on many products for children and adults under the name @byToriKelley.

THERAPY

• Over 25 years of clinical experience
• President and Founder of Central Florida Mental Health
• Ph.D. Level Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• 491 Board Certified Qualified Clinical Supervisor of Mental Health Counseling Interns
• 491 Board Certified Qualified Clinical Supervisor of Marriage and Family Therapist Interns