Happy birthday, John Kelly! (1878-1962)
Born in San Francisco on September 24, 1878, John Melville Kelly spent his early years in a small frontier town in Arizona, where his family relocated when he was just six. He had sisters, of which little is known. Growing up amidst the rugged landscape, with a father who was a butcher and ran a cattle ranch, John embraced a cowboy spirit, and throughout his life, was often seen sporting a kerchief in tribute to his roots. This unique upbringing occurred during a time when Native Americans outnumbered settlers, and respectfully living side-by-side with these peoples deeply influenced his perspective and artistic voice. Later, he would connect with Native Hawaiians in the same way, advocating for and sharing their culture through his art.
At 19, John returned to San Francisco to pursue his passion for art at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he honed his skills as a graphic artist—something he had been drawn to from a childhood spent doodling. After graduating, he joined the San Francisco Examiner, where he dedicated 15 years to graphic design before transitioning to an independent career in 1920. Although he ventured to New York seeking new opportunities, he soon realized that the corporate world was not for him, leading him to explore his artistic vision on his own terms in California, and later, Hawaii.