Ken W. Kelly Information

Artist
USA

Biography:
Ken Kelly was naturally talented as a child and was practically born with pencil in his hand. As his style developed in later years, he decided to join the Marines. While stationed in Cuba, he drew all the illustrations for the U.S. magazine "The Gitmo Gazette". After serving 4 years in the Marines, Ken Kelly accepted an offer to train under Frank Frazetta. Throughout a career spanning over 40 years, Ken Kelly has achieved an international reputation as one of a handful of master painters of sword and sorcery/heroic fantasy.

Ken got his start doing covers for Famous Monsters of Filmland magazines, but it wasn't until he painted both the Destroyer and LoveGun covers for KISS that he became noticed around the globe. Since then he has since painted a tremendous amount of book covers (his Conan covers being some of his most beloved works); calendars; artwork for toy companies such as Mattel (He-Man) and Mego (Micronauts); and album covers for bands Manowar Rainbow, Coheed & Cambria and others.

In the 90s, trading card manufacturer FPG published two complete 90-card sets of Ken Kelly's artwork along with a "Colossal Cards" set. Ken Kelly's artwork has appeared in other sets including Batman Master Series, Micronauts, and various Marvel sets. He has created eighteen covers for Lucas Licensing, and others.

In 2012, Ken Kelly's awesome career continued as he released both his Vampirella and Barbarian calendars. He just finished painting Manowar's new album art for their summer 2014 European tour and Australian heavy metal band Elm Street's new album cover art.

Ken currently is under contract with Gene Simmons of the heavy metal band KISS, Ken paints guitars exclusively for Gene. Other large projects are in the wings.