James Kelly has been drawing and painting people all his life.  When James was ten, his mother’s private art tutor, Abraham Nussbaum, an accomplished portrait and figurative artist, gave James private lessons.  James later studied at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and the Academy of Art in San Francisco.  He returned to both schools to teach.

As a commercial illustrator for twenty years, James’ work has been seen in countless movie posters, book covers and national ad campaigns.  At age thirty-five he began his fine art career as a portrait and figurative artist.  His subjects include celebrities, sports heroes, corporate leaders, and every day people.

James is an internationally published portrait artist. His figurative works have earned him the reputation as one of the finest artistic interpreters of the female figure. 

James resides in both California and Minnesota.