Jess Kelly, an Irish-Mexican artist best known for her luxurious metallic fine art, creates signature pieces by building movement through layering and texture.
Her pieces are featured in some of the most exclusive homes, hotels and restaurants across Europe.
Here we speak to her about her incredible artwork…
The best thing about being an artist is…definitely having the freedom to create and explore. I love playing with ideas and materials and seeing where it leads — no rules, just instinct. But the real magic is when someone connects with a piece on a personal level. There’s something incredibly special about creating something that ends up meaning so much to someone else.
The hardest thing about working for myself…wearing all the hats and juggling all the balls! It can be hard to fully switch off — the work is always ticking away in the back of your mind. Creating the art is actually just a small part of it; there’s so much time spent on client meetings, emails, Instagram DMs, digital mock-ups (which are so helpful if you want to visualise the piece in your space before purchasing), and logistics. Add four kids into the mix — it’s full-on! But honestly, I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
A day in my life might look like this…the day usually kicks off with the school run, then I throw on my painting gear and head to the studio for a few hours. I’ll usually be working across a few pieces — starting a new one, continuing another, and finishing one off. I also try to capture content while I’m in the flow. By lunchtime, I’m back up to do admin, emails, social media work, and arrange pieces for the framer or delivery. If it’s a busy week, the slow cooker becomes my best friend! Once the kids are home, it’s non-stop again with homework, dinners, and activities. I always try to squeeze in an episode of something before bed to wind down and a meditation.
When I paint I…lose all sense of time. Everything else fades away — it’s completely meditative. There’s just the canvas and this quiet little world I get to build, layer by layer.
I realised I could make a career out of this when…people started asking to buy my work before I’d ever thought of selling it. That was the spark. Once I set up my Instagram, things really took off — especially during Covid when people were more focused on their homes. It all grew quite naturally from there.
What I’m most proud of is…building this career from scratch — staying true to my style, navigating the learning curve, and doing it while working full-time and raising a family. There were a lot of sacrifices and late nights in those early years, but it was all worth it. I’ve now built a life that allows me to do what I love and spend more time with my family and I’m really proud of that.
My favourite piece is…“Cabo.” When I created that piece, something just clicked. It was a turning point where my style felt fully formed, and it led me into a much deeper exploration of texture and layering.
The artist that most inspires me is…I wouldn’t say there’s one specific artist that inspires me, but I am drawn to and admire artists like Nat Bowen. Her use of resin and bold colour feels really immersive, and I love how she’s taken that style into large-scale installations and even public sculpture. It’s that kind of ambition — to not just create art, but create an atmosphere — that really resonates with me.
I dream of…Oh, where do I start!? I’d love to create large-scale installations in public spaces — pieces people can move through or stumble upon unexpectedly. I’d also love to exhibit internationally (fingers crossed, hopefully that’s on the horizon soon!) and to keep pushing my creativity, trying new techniques, new textures, and seeing where it all takes me. On a personal level, my dream is simple: happiness, contentment, and to keep building a life where I’m surrounded by the people I love, doing what I love.
To see Jess’s work, click to jesskellyart.ie