Bella

Bella, acrylic on canvas, 16x20", commissioned
This painting is for my brother-in-law. His only child is a bulldog named, Bella. I have been swamped in the middle of a double portrait commission and this painting was a fun diversion for me. It took about three hours from start to varnish. If your interested in a similar pet portrait, please email me. Enjoy - Jared Kelley!

Piazza

Roman Piazza, acrylic on canvas, 9x12", NFS

Private Collection of Rep. Joseph Mitchell, Montgomery, AL

I love the different colors in this piece, many of which are a change for me - the lavendars, bright magentas, red oxides, and oranges. A local arts and crafts store is going out of business and while I believe the most reasonable prices for paints can only be found on the internet at wholesaler sites, the liquidation prices of these local supplies are unbeatable. So I bought a massive amount of paint. All you artists out there can understand me when I say I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when I came home from the arts and crafts store! Expect to see more of these colorful interpretations! - Jared K.

Ferry Line

Ferry Line, acrylic on canvas, 10x8", SOLD

My wife and I were able to attend a good friend's wedding in Aransas Pass, Texas. While there we stayed on Mustang Island which required us to use a ferry. This is a mundane system, I'm sure, for the locals who may use it daily, but it was an exciting ride for me as I have never been on a ferry before. Now here's the odd thing - the ferry only carries passengers five blocks across the water. Just five blocks! You can see the other side before you even move. After noticing this tidbit I had to ask myself, "Why not build a bridge instead?" Apparently, the ferry has been in use since the early 80's; over twenty years of maintenance and energy usage when a bridge built for a fraction of the cost would have been sufficient! No doubt it's the product of highly qualified political statesmen putting your tax dollars to good use:) - Jared

Vovo Julia Sketch

Vovo Julia sketch, scratch board, 5x7", NFS

This is a sketch I did for a patron who is making a series of books that contain Brazilian

folklores. These books are called "cordels" and they were started by the poor working class in Brazil many decades ago. I love this graphical interruption from the full color portraits and landscapes that normally fill up my days. -Jared

New commission works

Here's a preliminary sketch that I have been working on these last couple of days for a local doctor. The husband and wife are Dr. Wayne Finley and Dr. Sara Crews Finley, both influential physicians in the field of medical genetics, especially in Alabama. The local doctor, here in Montgomery, that has commissioned this painting was a former student of the Finley's and has collaborated some of his colleagues to honor the couple at a gathering this August. Dr. Payne decided to talk to me about this particular piece after viewing my works at Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery, AL. I will keep you all posted with the progress on this piece.

~~~~~~~~Additionally, I have not been able to upload much work lately due to a recent move. My wife and I moved into a three bedroom apartment to accommodate my increasing art production and to make room for my father who has decided to come stay with us. It's an enormous change of lifestyle but one that I am grateful for and one that my wife has graciously endorsed. Anyhow, I will be uploading more about my new studio space and artworks. May you all fare well with your art ventures! - Jared

Ledbetter Rains

Ledbetter Rains, acrylic on panel, approx. 11x22", $400

(scroll below to purchase)

This piece was inspired by the southern storms that I have grown up with. I love a good thunderstorm! I lived out west for a couple of years and it was the thunderstorms that I missed the most. In this piece I tried to capture the magnitude of the clouds. I especially like the areas where the rains are scant and just beginning. The golden hills compliment the ominous dark blues and violets of the clouds. I have many more paintings planned in this vein. For other landscapes that inspired this piece, check out Don Tiller's website. -Jared

Latest Commissioned Portrait

Private Commission, acrylic on canvas, 24x30", contact artist for commission prices

I apologize for the absence of posts. I have been extremely occupied with various commission related projects. My latest commissioned portrait is posted above. This job opportunity came through my father. A co-worker of his mentioned the idea of commissioning a portrait of her boyfriend's mother. My father was eager to give her my contact info and here's what transpired. This particular client wanted to give her boyfriend a birthday gift that would replace some of the grief that he has experienced due to his mother's passing 3 years ago on his birthday. I commended her for her thoughtful and compassionate intentions and promised her a great portrait. I used what few images my client was able to acquire for me and added the pearls and matching earrings as a last touch. This piece is one of my favorites. - Jared

"Big Gulp" Credit Card Art

Big Gulp, acrylic on credit card, approx. 2.5x3.5", SOLD

This is the second piece in my experimental credit card venture. I thought that large soda was great for the subject matter since credit cards are used for everything including $2 fast food purchases. I think that I heard the average college grad has $7,000 in credit card debt. It makes me sick to think that our society could potentially fall to its knees if a major credit disaster happened. My sister took the photo that inspired me to paint this. (check it out here). I can't wait to goof off with more of these commodity themed paintings. Give it a shot yourself and send me a pic. You can use those phony AMEX cards that come in the mail. Chao! - Jared

Fishers' Wharf

Fishers' Wharf, acrylic on canvas, 12x16", SOLD

This is my newest painting. I loved the colors on these fishing vessels. The reds, blues and whites compliment the warm yellow oxide base coat. I especially liked the reflections in the water. I find that water is a great aid in adding interest to a landscape composition, allowing you to carry colors in virtually any direction in order to enhance the visual appeal of the painting as a whole. This was painted on a museum depth canvas which allowed me to continue the image around the sides. I love the "extra" little bit that the deep sides add to the piece.

On a side note, my last entry of the dog portrait was viewed by the pop artist, Nathan Janes. (You can read his comment on the post below) I visited his website and was captivated while laughing the whole time. I would suggest that everyone visit his page. He really brings out the emotions of our four-legged friends! - Jared

New Dog Commission

Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 16x20", commissioned - contact artist for price

Here's my second doggie portrait ever! I usually get photographs from patrons of either their relatives or pets for portrait commissions. This is because I don't have any of the expensive lights, cameras and PC programs to take professionally ranked images myself. So, I tend to get mediocre photos from dated family albums that make it difficult to capture a truly inspirational painting. This little pup was captured in a photo but the photo itself was not very inspiring. I added many colors to this piece to give it more life (because we all know this little devil has plenty of spark) and I additionally zoomed in close on his head. I think that it came out very well. I hope to do more of these in the future! If you want to see some really great pet portraits check out the works of Ron Burns. Have fun - Jared