FOUND PAPER COLLAGE RESIN ON PANEL CALIFORNIA, USA Jay Kelly began his career in graphic design but quickly made a name for himself in the fine art world with his distinctive style of crafting life-like portraits and collages from books, photos, and magazines. Kelly’s work stands out for its use of diverse collage materials, including vintage magazines, novels—ranging from classics to the obscure—and art history books. By “painting” with paper and various printed materials, he creates a unique depth in his pieces. His art invites viewers to first appreciate a nearly photorealistic image from a distance, then discover the intricate textures and snippets of text upon closer inspection, adding layers of meaning to each work. Kelly’s subject matter often focuses on the great outdoors, though his compositions are far from traditional. Instead, they are contemporary works born from a careful fusion of classic beauty and modern life. While his technique is complex, his goal remains straightforward: to evoke emotion.