Artist John Kelly paints intimate portraits that honor classical techniques and capture the individuality of his subjects. “My interaction with the models is vital to my art, and trying to convey who they are is the most important factor,” says John. As a child living in Paris, frequent visits to the Jeu de Paume sparked his passion for art, and later, the Balthus Show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art forever changed his approach to painting. John works from a cluttered but lively studio in Paris’s 15th arrondissement, where friends and fellow artists often stop by. When he’s not painting, John spends his time traveling, writing, and working as a graphic designer.