Teddy Kell, who became a professional artist after retiring as a Nevada City school teacher in 1985, never imagined her work would be displayed on every continent, including at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the California State Library, the under-construction Alexandria Museum in Egypt, a Philippines university or at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

That's right, the bottom of the sea, which is actually a tribute, albeit a novel one, to the work of the Rough and Ready painter and digital artist.

In a glass box protected with 18 coats of wax, the ocean-bound copy will be dropped north of San Francisco at the Farallons. It is hoped that the wax-protected book "washes up at some point, no idea when or where," said Kell, intrigued by a story she heard about a bottle that two little girls threw in the ocean on the East Coast. It was found five years later in Ireland.

Kell is one of 13 artists whose works are in "The Millennium Book," a five-year project begun in late 1999. The Sacramento-based artists, with the exception of Kell, from Nevada County, were honored Feb. 26 with a reception at the California State Library.

Each artist was given free rein to depict life at the turn of the millennium. The only requirement was to put the works on 11-inch by 11-inch sheets. The Rumsey Community Foundation, California State Library Foundation, Sacramento art group Inclusionists and the International Exchange for the Arts sponsored the project, with the intent the works will be preserved for generations to come.

"It was fun working on the book; there were so many different ways to show life," said Kell, who illustrated some of her favorite American Indian poetry, Bible quotations and Japanese haiku with her digitally generated art.

Kell, 74, has been in many regional and Nevada County juried and one-woman shows. A co-founder of the inaugural local Altares Del Mundo (Altars of the World) show in 1998, Kell has been just as instrumental ever since, spending up to three months a year preparing for the annual show.

Although she has long been considered by local artists as a matriarch of the arts, Kell didn't feel like one until the recent "Millennium" reception.

"I felt for the first time - wow, I've really done something important with my art," Kell said. "This made me feel I did something for the ages."

For local residents who don't want to drive to the California State Library, "The Millenium Book" can be seen by appointment at Kell's studio by calling 272-5204. Kell would also like to find a local gallery to display the book.



KNOW & GO

WHAT: 3The Millenium Book,² in which Rough and Ready artist Teddy Kell is among 13 featured artists. The book will be permanently displayed at the California State Library starting next Monday.

WHEN: Viewing hours, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday

WHERE: California History Room (Room 200), California State Library, 900 N. St. in Sacramento.

ADMISSION: Free

INFORMATION: (916) 654-0640