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October, 2021
By Ariane Stein
As time makes its way toward the shift into the new year, many of us may find ourselves reminiscing on what life was like a year ago, two years ago, and so forth. Perhaps you find yourself reminded of what you did to occupy those apprehensive months in 2020 when people all over the world were subject to remote academia and working from home; while the ambitious discovered new hobbies and gave Tik Tok a run for its money, it wasn’t seen as unusual to partake in more comforting and low-profile activities, such as binge watching Netflix while eating take out in bed.
below: 'Construction' featured on frankkelleyjronline.com
above: 'Path of Righteousness'
For Louisiana artist Frank Kelley Jr., solace was found in his dedication for producing expressive paintings that range across genres of portraits, landscapes, and creations of abstract and figurative art. This true southern artist produced such an impressive plethora of unique pieces during 2020 that collectors are being sought to invest in his work, granted the motivation of being generously offered up to half the price on original market values. Four paintings belonging to Frank Kelley Jr.’s Gallery are currently listed for this promotion, with the titles as followed: Carnival, San Marco Square, Body Electric, and Gem Tourmamine. Each individual painting has been originally listed at $3,000; those who take advantage of this brief inventory reduction will be able to purchase each painting for the price of $1,500, no additional fees included.
Subsequent to having earned degrees in both Business Management and Fine Art, Frank Kelley Jr. embarked on his first and dearest mission to provide for his community in rural Louisiana. He volunteered at the elementary and high school once attended by himself, having recognized a necessity for creative education while witnessing the artistic talent possessed by the children of his hometown. Despite not having been exposed to the luxury of art education during his own youth, receiving a degree in Fine Art granted Frank the expertise and knowledge which he continues to share, especially in relevance to the nonprofit organization he founded in 2001, better known as the Educational
'Carnival' offered in inventory reduction
Arts Initiative Program. EAIP enables the younger generation the opportunity to have developed profound learning experiences based on exposure to the arts; it is his hope to support these children in their artistic pursuits so that they may gain the confidence to become successful in art, as was the case for himself.
“The environment that you live in has a lot to do with your creative form,” Kelley said during an interview with Labelladiva Public Relations Firm. He attributes much of his inspiration to his upbringing and life experiences that he prefers to share in paint; whether realist or abstract, he has found a way to speak his own language through this creative form. “People gravitate towards art without knowing why, because something lingers and they become attached without the use of words,” Kelley stated. He feels it is one of his utmost duties to impact the world in a positive manner, to bring joy and interest to the world, spark thinking, spur conversation, and to be seen as a light that shines as opposed to a dark place, all of which he is grateful to be able to do through the creation of each and every painting that he produces.
below: 'Body Electric'
Carnival, San Marco Square, Body Electric, and Gem Tourmamine can all be viewed on Frank’s E-commerce website, https://www.frankkelleyjronline.com. He will also be presenting his work during a live virtual art show that will take place at the end of the month, so that potential collectors may be able to experience his work at their own convenience. Each painting contains an authentic certificate having been insured by Frank himself, dated and signed. Each painting has also been custom framed and floated with a lifetime seal so that they will not weather over the course of time. Inquiries can be made by emailing Frank at artist1@bayou.com; he is also available to speak over the phone if preferred. Payments can be made through PayPal, Zelle, Square, and cashiers checks, with shipping costs covered.
“When someone purchases my work or accumulates my work they’re not only getting a piece that’s visual, they’re getting a large piece of me because my soul goes into each and every painting,” Kelley commented. His work has been recognized by collectors as deeply expressive and emotionally evoking; his work has been featured in Art and Antiques Magazine as well as in the permanent collection of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.
Instagram: @frankkellyjr