Some people can paint a pretty picture, they say ... But in Jared Kelley's case, he literally paints pictures that thousands of people collect on a weekly basis.
An illustrator who earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Auburn University in 2008, Kelley began working full-time as an illustrator in 2010 ... Only to end of leaving the art world later to support his wife and children. But a recommendation in the height of the first wave of the pandemic would change his life forever, bringing the largely self-taught trainer back to his first love: Painting portraits for what is arguably the most prominent and well-known trading card company in the world. Then again, his work as the official portrait painter for the National Trial Lawyer Association Hall of Fame, he likely won't have to go back to his previous career as a software engineer anytime soon.
On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022), Tabari gets acquainted with Kelley as they talk about how he got his start, the toughest part of painting portraits and the advice he would give any parent with a child that wants to pursue a career in the arts. Of course, there's also plenty of sports talk which, given Kelley's status as an Auburn fan and Tabari's as a University of Cincinnati Bearcats fan, means the National Title Game this past Monday provided an instant common ground for both.
Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email tabari@tabarimccoy.com.