Hello. My name is John Knell. Nice to meet you and thanks for being here. I am a creative professional, conscientious rebel, friend and cultural signal maker who is immersed in the act of creating and connecting with community through my art.

I am based in Kansas City and I believe my best work lives at the intersection of sport, pop culture, and human connection. Through painting, illustration, mixed media, and live activations, I explore beauty, joy, connection and the emotional energy that surrounds a shared dialog between myself and my audience.

Influenced by the mixed media innovation of Robert Rauschenberg, the culture defining social art of Warhol and Banksy, the line work of comic master Archie Goodwin and the bold expressive spirit of LeRoy Neiman. I use color, texture, line and layered composition to create work that feels alive, immediate, joyful and inviting to my audience.

At the center of my practice is the belief that art should exist 100% in and for communities that I serve. Whether creating in the studio, painting live at events, collaborating with athletes, or transforming brands into visual statements, I see my art as a bridge between people and shared experience. My goal is to create work that that energize a room, sparks conversation, connects with community and reminds people that creativity is one of the strongest forces we have to bring joy, meaning, and connection into the world.
Authenticity is rebellion. Creation is resistance. Community is power.