Jeremiah Kille

Painter Jeremiah Kille layers disparate imagery into complex yet cohesive compositions. He builds his work directly on the canvas, beginning with loose, abstract backgrounds, then filling them in with a mix of surreal and geometric forms, often finishing a piece with crisp lines or text. Working with both abstract and representational imagery, he frequently revisits such motifs as carefully rendered elephants, matadors, birds, boats, and hot air balloons. A native of Santa Cruz, CA, Kille got his start as a custom surfboard shaper, and the influence of surf and skate culture remains an important factor in his work—from his virtuoso style to his choice of materials such as spray paint and surfboard resin.