Artist brings his unique perspective

Down syndrome hasn’t kept JP Kelting from painting what he loves

By NANCY HILL

The Portland Tribune, Jan 16, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

JIM CLARK / PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Painter John “JP” Kelting is a hit in the world of “outsider art,” a term applied to artists who aren’t trained in a mainstream way.

Entering John Kelting’s world is a journey into wonder.

Portraits of his favorite superheroes – painted in his uninhibited style – share wall space with ones of his grandparents. Watercolors of animals painted when he worked at the zoo poke out of well-worn portfolios, while pictures created from his dreams and nightmares wait, almost shyly, to be discovered.

Born with Down syndrome, Kelting, 31, is especially close to the subjects he brings to life with his brush strokes. Macadam Frame Central in Johns Landing last fall hosted a show of some of his current work, including portraits of characters from “The Phantom of the Opera.”

At the exhibit’s closing party, Kelting, who goes by the name “JP,” greeted visitors with charm and grace. Shaking their hands warmly, he thanked people for coming and offered them cheese and juice. Then, seeing the guests were mingling and comfortable, he turned and began talking in a low voice to one of his paintings.

“John paints very popular icons, and people respond to that quickly,” gallery manager Ken Romer says. “We had positive comments all month long, and the opening was one of the best we’ve ever had. John sold a couple of pieces, and he was thrilled.”

“JP paints what is important to him,” his mother, Carol, 62, says. “And right now that is characters from the movies he watches. He went through a big superhero phase and has painted celebrities for years.”

Kelting’s fascination with celebrities has opened doors. A great fan of the movie “The Terminator,” he sent California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a portrait he had done of him. Schwarzenegger replied personally, telling Kelting he would display the painting in his office.

Last summer Kelting attended a Beach Boys concert with his longtime friend Mark Duris. Actor John Stamos was playing drums with the band that evening.

The two young men showed an usher their scrapbooks of

Stamos and were invited backstage to meet him.

“John Stamos is in ‘Full House,’ ” Kelting explains. “Do you watch that? He is very good. He plays the drums, too. He was great. I loved him.” He pulls a necklace out from beneath his shirt. “See this? John Stamos gave it to me. He took it right off his neck and said he wanted me to have it.”

Kelting’s art gives him a way to communicate with people. There were always drawing materials around the house because Kelting’s older sister, Jennifer, had a propensity for art.

“JP has a hard time putting his thoughts into words,” his mother says. “He doesn’t have words to express himself, so he does it through drawings. He began drawing when he was 3. He couldn’t tell me what he was thinking, so he would draw his thoughts and feelings for me. He’s been drawing every since.”

Objects help with connection

In 1992, Carol Kelting transferred her son from Wilson High School to Metropolitan Learning Center in Northwest Portland and arranged for him to take an art class.

“I wanted him to be able to have something to share that was physical so he could ‘talk’ to people,” she says. “He likes to have something concrete to hold when he’s talking. Objects help him connect with people. They become a communication bond.”

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