Molas are intricate and vibrant panels meticulously created by the women of the Kuna tribe of Panama.
Sometimes referred to as reversed appliqué, the panels are created by taking between two and five layers
of fabric and cutting out the design in the top layers to reveal the different colored layers beneath.
Usually existing in pairs making up the front and back of the blouses, the designs are based on symbols
and stories from the artist’s everyday life.  Each artist has her own unique style, and inspiration may
come from her natural surroundings, experiences and dreams. Some molas tell a story while others are
simply personal expressions, mesmerizing admirers with their beautiful colors and rhythmic shapes.

In awe of these traditionally hand-sewn molas, Kelly set out to explore how she could emulate their
methods and merge them with her experience as a graphic artist and designer. After careful consideration, a complex process was established; Once several layers of a neutral-colored fabric are scanned, the entire process is performed digitally. First, Kelly creates intricately and
boldly illustrated designs and then uses software on her computer to “cut” the individual pieces from
different colored layers of the scanned fabric. The multiple layers are then enhanced with shadows to give the perception of depth. The final product is printed on fine art paper, using a high-resolution professional ink jet printer. This high-quality print allows the texture of the fabric – complete with loose threads and frayed edges – to show up, making these two-dimensional prints often mistaken for being three-dimensional fabric panels.

Like the women of the Kuna Tribe, Kelly’s designs are inspired by
symbols of everyday life. While these images paint a time line of Kelly’s life – as a woman, wife, mother,
professional – they also relate to the universal roles that all woman play in our society, or can simply
be appreciated for the joyful visual moment they create.