Our August Artist of the Month!

Here at The Art Store, one of our favorite traditions is celebrating a local artist each month. Through our Artist of the Month program, we have the opportunity to showcase the incredible creativity that exists within our community while inviting visitors to discover the stories, passions, and inspirations behind the artwork displayed in our 2nd floor mezzanine gallery. 

This August, we are proud to feature Auburn native and emerging artist Jason Michael Rielly, whose artistic journey is a powerful reminder that creativity can emerge from unexpected moments and transform the way we experience the world.

For Jason, the path to becoming a full-time creator began during a time of uncertainty and isolation. Like many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself searching for a meaningful outlet. In 2021, he turned to art as a way to express emotions, explore imagination, and create something positive from a challenging period. What began as a personal form of reflection quickly developed into a deeper calling, and a renewed sense of purpose rooted in creativity.

A lifelong connection to art had always been present. Jason recalls being inspired as a child while watching legendary painter Bob Ross on television, fascinated by the joy, passion, and peace that Ross found through painting. Years later, that early curiosity evolved into a personal artistic renaissance. Through visiting galleries, attending exhibitions, participating in art communities, and studying the lives and work of influential artists, Jason rediscovered the creative force that had always existed within him.

Today, Jason describes art as a way of life. “Art is life,” he believes, and is a reflection of our emotions, our culture, our experiences, and the world around us. Through his work, Jason seeks to share positive energy, imagination, openness, and connection with others.

His artwork spans both physical and digital mediums, including acrylic paintings, canvas compositions, digital artwork, and sketch creations. His expressive style draws heavily from Abstract Expressionism, Neo-Expressionism, and Surrealism, allowing him to explore bold colors, dynamic forms, movement, emotion, and imagination. Each piece reflects his internal world, reflecting his mood, awareness, energy, and curiosities at any given moment. 

Jason’s artistic influences include some of the most celebrated creators in modern art history, including Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Joan Miró, Paul Cézanne, Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Georgia O’Keeffe, and many others. Through studying these artists and their journeys, Jason continues to develop his own unique visual language.

A graduate of Auburn High School and Cayuga Community College, Jason’s connection to Central New York runs very deep. He later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. He has also pursued graduate studies in clinical psychology at New York University, experiences that have further shaped his understanding of human expression, emotion, and creativity.

After spending two decades working throughout New York State in both public and private sectors, Jason returned to his Auburn roots and embraced art as a central part of his life. Over the past five years, he has dedicated himself to developing his artistic career, sharing his work locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. His creations have been exhibited in Central New York and beyond, with opportunities to showcase his artwork in locations including New York City, Miami, Milan, Spain, the United Kingdom, New Hampshire, and other creative communities! Yes- his passport has a lot of stamps in it! 

When asked what advice he would offer other artists, Jason’s message is simple: “Explore your own imagination, find inspiration and passion, and study artists and their biographies.” He encourages creators to remain curious, open, and willing to discover their own artistic voice.

Outside of the studio, Jason shares his home with his beloved chocolate labradoodle, Barkley, and his miniature green parrotlet, Gunther. His animal companions are part of the creative environment where many late-night artistic sessions take place alongside music, movies, and endless inspiration.

Jason’s journey is one of self-discovery, perseverance, and the transformative power of creativity. His work represents more than color and composition. It represents emotion, imagination, and the courage to express oneself fully.

We invite you to visit The Art Store throughout the month of August to experience Jason Michael Rielly’s artwork in our mezzanine gallery. Take time to explore his creations, learn his story, and discover how one artist’s imagination can inspire an entire community to see the world a little differently.

Because, as Jason reminds us, every day spent creating is a day filled with possibility!