Earlier this year, I sat down with Preston Native Kelly Ristau, at Paddle on Coffee & Maker Emporium in Lanesboro, Minn. for an interview. The assignment was to write a story about Kelly work as a muralist. It did not take long to realize that there was much more to this artist, and what began as a conversation about murals evolved into a much richer portrait of a young artist finding her place in the world as an artist.
Kelly graduated of Fillmore Central High School in 2021, where she was recognized as the Best Senior Artist. She credits her high school art teacher for letting her “explore stuff on her own.”
After high school, she headed to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, earning two bachelor of arts degrees – in psychology and art – in 2025, two fields that complement each other more than people might expect.
“I’ve been really fortunate,” she explained. “People just keep asking me to do stuff, and I’m like, okay, this is a new thing.”
She did a mural for Farm Charm in Harmony for their five-year anniversary, which was her first big commission piece. They gave her a six-foot by three-foot board and was asked to do an American Gothic theme with Harmony as the background. The bodies of the two figures were dressed in American Gothic clothing, and their faces were cut out so customers could take a selfie to commemorate the store’s fifth anniversary and their visit to Harmony.
This past spring, Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. in Decorah tapped her to design their limited- edition Pride can for 2025. The cans sold out quickly.
Not long after, Kari Espinosa, owner of The Landing Market in Decorah, approached Kelly about creating a mural for the space. The inspiration came from a Norwegian storybook Espinosa gave her. Kelly brought the bright, folkloric imagery to life, and the mural debuted during Nordic Fest this past summer, creating a full-circle moment for Ristau, who once worked at The Landing Market.
She also completed a backdrop for a new opera company which recently launched in Decorah. Kelly explained that she began by painting on a smaller canvas, then sent the design to a company to be printed on large, portable fabric. She said, “I put a lot of queer motifs in this because it’s a queer opera company.”
Large-scale work, she explained, is about visibility and accessibility: “When you’re really into a topic, you want to show the world what you’re thinking. Big scale art is a really easy way to do that because you can’t not look at it. It’s in a place you can drive past it and see it. Like you don’t have to, because it’s accessible to people because it can be seen anywhere.” Murals are a way to have art accessible for everybody.
Ristau’s work continues to gain recognition. This past spring, her linocut block prints were selected for the Spring 2025 Emerging Artist Show at Arthaus in Decorah, where she won the People’s Choice Award. Over the summer, her prints were exhibited in Lanesboro at the art gallery.
Her artist statement describes her work as a printer and meaning of queer intimacy; “Kelly Ristau’s work explores the nuances of queer intimacy, noting that queer identity often blurs the lines between platonic and romantic intimacy. Ristau defines intimacy as the trust required to share one’s mind, body, or soul with another person. At the same time, Ristau’s work presents a commentary on the negative impact dating apps and social media have on intimacy. Ristau’s linocut prints locate intimate moments and slows them down through methodical line work, stepping away from the fast-paced worlds of modern intimacy. Her work asks the viewers: What does it mean to know and truly be kown by someone? How have relationships changed with technology of today?”
As for what comes next, Ristau is headed to Minneapolis, with a possible show on the horizon for next summer.
To see more of Kelly’s work or to inquire about purchasing a print or commissioning a piece, visit kellyristau.net and or follow her on Instagram @kellymakesart_.
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