James Kelly was born in 1945. Exhibiting artistic abilities at a young age he was tutored at the age of 10 by Abraham Nussbaum, an accomplished portrait and figurative artist. In 1964, he began his studies in illustration at The Art Center of Design in Hollywood and The Art Academy in San Francisco. Later, he returned to both schools as a teacher.

Art Director for Atari from 1977 through 1983, James was in charge of marketing design, packaging and the illustration department. Later, as a freelance illustrator he frequently found himself working for such notables as Coca Cola, Disney Studios, Bank of America, U.S Air Force, Boeing, British Airlines, Levi Strauss, Ford Motor Corp., Boy Scouts of America, National Parks, National Geographic, Playboy, Sunset Magazine as well as many others.

Kelly has always had a passion for painting the figure. After a twenty-year career as an illustrator and designer he decided to concentrate on painting his passion, the female figure. As a fine artist, Kelly hopes this attitude comes across in his work.

"It really is a great love story that I am painting. God made our world a beautiful place …fields of flowers, snowcapped mountains, starry nights and rainbows. It's unending when we look around. He totally outdid Himself when He created woman."

You can find Kelly's work in collections in the United States and around the world, from London to Paris and across the continent to Hong Kong. His art has been displayed in the National Portrait Gallery of London, The Smithsonian and the White House.