Born in Detroit Michigan in 1958 Jim Connelly’s early artistic influences were Charles Schulz by way of newsprint, Chuck Jones by way of the tube and his mother who was oil painting at the time.
I have always loved the challenge of illustration. Every project has different parameters. That in itself injects a creative element into the work.
I have been in the business for over 20 and the fun part is that it never gets boring.
In 1986 Jim formed Jim Connelly Studio providing creative art direction and illustration services. Assignments have included billboards, print advertising, magazine covers and over 100 book jackets. Local and national clients have included ad agencies, publishers and institutions. The University of Michigan contracted Jim to produce 35 portraits of their million dollar donors.
He has earned a citation of excellence and an Addy from the American Advertising Awards. He was a contributor to 59 More Studio Secrets for the Graphic Artist published by Northlight and to Step by Step Graphics magazine.
A graduate from Cornerstone University, Jim also earned a Master of Arts degree from Syracuse University. He has spent time as an adjunct faculty member at Kendall College of Art and Design and has presented his work in numerous other educational settings.
Because of his interest in motorsports, Jim’s work has been featured in automotive magazines and it even gave him the opportunity to spend three days driving a formula Dodge at the Skip Barber Racing School. He was included in a group show of First Wheels a collection of paintings of artists’ first cars exhibited at the Society of Illustrators, Art Institute of Houston, McNeese State University and Central Missouri State University.
As a contributor to The Artist and the Baseball Card, Jim’s painting of Tiger’s pitcher Frank Tanana has been exhibited at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Delaware Art Museum only to name a few. This collection of baseball art features the work of 160 artists including Charles Schulz.
His Impressions of the West oil paintings have been featured in Western Horseman magazine and the book by International Artist Publishing, How Did You Paint That?
