Wake Up, My Soul, 2025
Jess Kellner (b. 1994) is an American painter whose work explores vulnerability, emotional presence, and the tension between surrender and control. Drawing from a background in acting and film, his paintings unfold like suspended cinematic moments, capturing figures in quiet, intimate states. Through soft gradients, diffused light, and gestural restraint, Kellner creates contemplative scenes that invite reflection and emotional connection.