We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thomas Kelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thomas below.

Alright, Thomas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

“Thomas Kelly paints not the America we have, he paints America as we would like it to be. His paintings give us hope, like a modern Norman Rockwell.” Walter Wickiser, 2024
The latest series I have been painting is titled WeWork. These are small paintings that depict very necessary occupations. Food service workers such as waitstaff, bartenders and line cooks have all been represented. As have dog groomers, seamstress, excavators and bakery workers.
WeWork is not glamorous or romantic, the paintings attempt to show the dignity in all the jobs we do. WeWork is about all of us.
The series began last year when my NYC dealer, Walter Wickiser came up with the idea to show small pieces arranged in a grid for Seattle Art Fair which was then a few months away. I was in New York picking up the unsold paintings that were exhibited at Art Wynwood in Miami. After the pick up, my wife, daughter and I took in the Kathe Kollwitz exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. The Kollwitz show was phenomenal. I was still mulling over the small paintings in a grid idea, because I always try to take experienced art world people’s advice.
Lo and behold, everywhere in the MOMA permanent collection were small paintings arranged in a grid, with viewers in front of them. Even the Andy Warhol, Campbells Soup Cans were arranged in a grid!
So I started on the small paintings. I already had the idea for a series about work and occupations, and the dignity of all workers. We showed sixteen, 12″ x 12″ WeWork paintings at the Seattle Art Fair and all but one were collected. A few months later at Context Art Miami, more than half of the 16 WeWork paintings shown were collected. This is when it struck me that this series really resonates with people. These WeWork paintings are about all of us.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started late in the arts. I already was in the workforce in manufacturing. I bought a small home and was making art pieces to decorate it. My sister suggested I take a class at the local county college. So I began with drawing and printmaking.
I was a blank page and learned a lot of history, technique and work ethic. I feel because of my late start, my work developed a “signature” style and I was encouraged to go my own way. I was juried into a show at the Trenton NJ City Museum and had my own gallery to fill with work for an opening and a monthlong exhibition.
The show was well received. One piece sold that night and I was floored. I sent out promotional postcards to every gallery in the area. A nearby well established art gallery, The Artful Deposit offered to represent me. We did a solo show the following year and 25 paintings were collected.
Since these beginnings we have more than 400 original paintings collected and have many multiple Thomas Kelly collectors.
For me it is still fun to take a tiny sketch and end up with a painting that someone hangs in their home or business.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Now I am in the position to mentor and offer advice to aspiring artists. I have a manuscript titled 100 Rules for the Aspiring Painter. I taught a class from these rules. The most important rules of the book are in the final two chapters, Contemplations, How to Think and Civilities, How to Act.
How to think, speaks about being prepared for luck, not about being lucky. Think about being yourself, painting what you know intimately, then your work will be honest. How to grow thick skin, because people say things that may not be supportive. Think about how to be a pro, that you do not need a muse, you just need to work.
The Civilities parts covers how to act in the art world. Show your work. It may be scary at first but this is what you are here for. Make and pass out postcards, the business cards for artists. That you must ask for the business and you will be rewarded. Show up to openings and other artists shows. It is okay to appreciate other artists. Then follow up with written thank yous to those who help you along your way.

How did you build your audience on social media?

A lot of artists are introverts, as we spend a lot of time alone, creating. We are usually not as confident as we should be. We see others succeeding and feel that we are just as good, but unrecognized.
One way to build an audience is to work and have enough artwork to be ready to exhibit. The next step is to promote yourself and your work. I know this makes people uneasy, but once you get rolling it is really routine.
In the old days, mailings were done and newspapers carried the news of art shows and exhibitions. Now with social media and other digital formats, getting the word out is very inexpensive. It just takes a little time and effort.
Websites are the home base for people to view your work and learn about you. Outreach comes from postings on social media and email newsletters that reach everybody. Not all will see your social media announcements, but everyone receives email.
The fine line is not to be overabundant. Don’t be over the top. I am in the position now, because I am a figurative painter, that I have very topical work for different times of the year, holidays and other seasonal events.
I share posts maybe 3 times a week and send a a branded, which just means consistent, email newsletter every month or two. The email distributers provide feedback data that is very helpful regarding who opened your email and what they looked at or clicked on.
If you look like you have a lot going on, people will think you have a lot going on. You still must produce new work.
Work hard, produce quality work and get it seen. That is the art business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thomaskellyart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomaskellyart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomaskellyart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kelly-311a8512/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomaskellyart3529

Image Credits

All photos courtesy of the artist.