Dope Profile: Finn Kelley – Baton Rouge’s art scene is full of talent, but I find that the youngest artists can be overlooked.

Finn Kelley, pictured right. (Photo by Collin Richie)

Baton Rouge’s art scene is obviously full of talent, but I find that the youngest artists are often the ones overlooked. Youth in the arts is a super important role in society and in our community as a whole. Social media has recently brought young artists a new type of self-exposure, and it was through this outlet that I came across the incredible work of 16-year-old Finn Kelley, a junior at Baton Rouge Magnet High School.

Kelley’s fresh skill and keen observation came as no surprise to me, as his parents are deeply involved in the artistic community (fortunately for me, especially at LSU) and both amazing artists in their own fields as well. Kelley has already developed his own style aside from academia, and that is what impresses me the most. He has a unique style that sets his work apart from that of other artists in his field. Kelley has achieved this by exploring the depths of his wild imagination, something many young artists find too intimidating to attempt.

A creative soul all of his life, Kelley began drawing as a child. He found his bearings when he was in 6th grade, when he drew his first self-portrait and saw that it had a good likeness. It was at this point when he realized that his talent was in drawing faces. Only a year ago, Kelley decided to break away from the academics of drawing things from life or from a reference. He wanted to develop the skill of drawing from one’s imagination and executed this desire by drawing things from his head. Kelley found himself drawing on his hands, arms, and many times right over his math homework.

I find myself connecting with Kelley as an artist mostly through his decisions regarding subject matter and palette. He is intelligent to recognize that much of the art world is diluted with conservative and comfortable paintings that depict landscapes and animals, something he has no desire to be a part of. Kelley purposefully sets himself apart as an artist, striving to be unique and interesting with work that catches the eye. I like how this dude thinks.

In talking with Kelley about his work, I discovered that Kelley is also an explorer of sorts in life beyond his art. In his free time he enjoys getting with a few friends and exploring Baton Rouge like a pioneer. Most recently, he ventured through the steam tunnels under LSU’s campus. He said this was “pretty sweet.” He is also a musician, lately making music on the computer with the program Ableton and playing live piano and drums. It is the most creative people in this world that find ways to express it using multiple outlets.

Kelley’s desires for the future include attending college at RISD for painting and graphic design, and eventually living in New York City. I admire that Kelley looks forward to being a starving artist in a big city. As he puts it, “I want to try and move there after college, but it might be kind of hard as an artist. It’d still be pretty cool though even if I was broke.” That’s the spirit, Finn!

Self-portrait, paste 26×20 | Godzilla, linoleum cut print 12×10

Purplr Thing, prisma color, sharpie 8×8 | Snake, mixed media 20×13

Cowboy, marker and prisma color 20×15 | Space Dod, marker 7×7

Untitled, marker 7×5 | Untitled, marker 7×5

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @_finnthehuman_