About the Artist: MJ King

About the Artist

MJ King grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She went on to study art in college, earning her Bachelors in Fine Art from Bowling Green State University in 2013. During her time in college, she had the opportunity to study in Florence, Italy, at The Studio Arts College International where she focused on Art History and Fresco Painting. In 2014, she moved to South Carolina to further her education, earning her Masters in Fine Art at Clemson University in 2016. She now resides in Greenville and is pursuing her dream as an entrepreneur and artist.

You can see her pieces at Open Art Studios in downtown Greenville, as well as local upstate businesses including Victoria Valley Vineyards, Elevation966 Winery, Kennington Family Winery, Plum Home & Gift Boutique, and The Esso Club. She also has an upcoming exhibition at The Simpsonville Arts Center in March of 2023.

Artist Statement

The ability to capture a moment or tell a story is what makes art personal and powerful. This understanding has been a foundational part of my life ever since I first began sketching at a young age, starting with Disney characters and drawing the figure with my cousin as a model in the backyard.
Creating art isn’t just a passion but a lifestyle. It has taken me all across the country, exhibiting work in galleries throughout the United States, and furthered my education in Florence, Italy.

Now, it has inspired me to launch my own business after years of producing commissioned pieces for friends, family members, and clients. As a full-time freelance and commission-based artist, I offer a broad array of commission possibilities. I specialize in portraits, cityscapes & landscapes, murals, and personalized requests. My customers’ feedback has always been important to me, and they are a part of every step of the creative process.

Whether you are looking to add to your own home or gift to another, each piece is handcrafted and custom-designed to your needs, resulting in a unique piece of art. While I primarily work in oil paint, I also use watercolor, acrylic, graphite charcoal, and ink.