An artist, television show host and widely recognized online celebrity, California-based American painter John Kilduff is known for his distinctive style, which can be described as a merge of Impressionism and Pop art. His paintings offer a lighthearted and relatable look at contemporary life, and feature everything from beach hats and sneakers to soup cans and beer bottles.
In 1987, Kilduff earned his BFA from the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. He also studied comedy at The Groundlings Theatre & School and the Los Angeles City College, in addition to getting his MFA from UCLA in 2008.
Kilduff came into the spotlight in 2001 when he began hosting a cable-access television show called Let's Paint TV, calling himself "Mr. Let's Paint." The show's live episodes typically involve Kilduff painting while he performs other activities, like playing ping pong, running on a treadmill or cooking. In 2006, he began uploading clips of the show to YouTube, which garnered worldwide attention. The series is now broadcast online.
Kilduff has made numerous other television appearances over the years, including the Tyra Banks Show, where he painted Banks’s portrait live. In 2006, he painted David Hasselhoff on the red carpet of the VH1 Big Awards and also appeared on season two of America's Got Talent.
Ever the entertainer, Kilduff frequently holds in-person painting shows. In 2016, a show called "Bakery" at the Daniel Rolnik Gallery in Santa Monica was designed to mimic the look of a small pastry shop and, as Kilduff created paintings of a range of sweet treats for the event, it earned comparisons to the works of sculptor Claes Oldenburg and Wayne Thiebaud.
Kilduff lives and works in Los Angeles.
On 1stDibs, find original John Kilduff oil paintings, watercolor works and more.
Kanan Dune Road Malibu, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of Kanan Dune Road in Malibu, California. Based on a plein air watercolor. :: Painting :: Contemporary :: This piece comes with an official certificate of aut...
Acrylic
Cabo Rojo view Puerto Rico, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of cliffs and the Ocean in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the ar...
Watercolor
The big country, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
I have been watching a lot of westerns on TV lately. Gunsmoke and The Rifleman. This painting is based on a scene from the movie The big country. :: Painting :: Americana :: This pie...
Oil
Laguna Beach View, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
I painted this for the Laguna Beach Plein air Invitational back years ago ( Think it was 2009 or 2010). :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This pie...
Oil
Garbage Day, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting is an aerial view of a Los Angeles street during garbage day. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by th...
Oil
$545
Last day before curfew, La Playuela Cabo Rojo PR, Painting, Watercolor on Waterc
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor from La Playuela beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. It was the last day of freedom before the curfew. March 15, 2020. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece co...
Watercolor
Hollyhocks, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large oil painting painted on location (plein air) in my backyard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist ...
Oil
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge at night, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large painting of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge at night from Treasure Island. Oil, oil sticks, acrylic, spray paint on canvas. :: Painting :: Americana :: This piece comes wi...
Oil
Indian Alley, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein are painting of Indian alley in Downtown Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authe...
Oil
Under curfew in Puerto rico #3, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor painted while under curfew in Caguas, Puerto Rico in March 2020. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity si...
Watercolor
Imac computer with Catalina Island on the screen, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Still life oil painting of an iMac computer with Catalina Island on the screen. For the price on a new iMac...You can buy a painting of an iMac instead. Also, the painting will m...
Oil
St John's Cathedral, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting is based on a sketch of the inside of St John's Cathedral in Den Bosch in the Netherlands. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate...
Oil
Train engines, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil painting of train engines. :: Painting :: Americana :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to ...
Oil
Helicopters and Palm Trees, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
This painting is part of my ongoing series of looking up at palm trees here in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, California. Helicopters flying overhead is very common here in Los Angel...
Oil
Lester the cat with the Hollyhocks, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
This is a painting of Lester the cat. He is a feral cat that likes to hang out in the backyard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with...
Oil
Ox-Bow Sunset, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of the sun setting from Ox-bow in Saugatuck, Michigan. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by th...
Watercolor
Full moon, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
I painted this live on my internet streaming show Let's Paint TV on May 7, 2020. Here's the link to the video: /watch?v=IUiLiJToocg&feature= :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This pi...
Oil
Police activity at donut shop, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil painting of an image I got off the television of a police chase. :: Painting :: Americana :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist ::...
Oil
Eaton Canyon, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
This is an old plein air oil paining I did of Eaton Canyon in Pasadena, California. I am not sure of the date but I think it's around 1995. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece...
Oil
El Escambron Beach, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of El Escambron Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artis...
Watercolor
Malibu Rocks #2, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of the Sea at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, California. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signe...
Watercolor
Under curfew in Puerto Rico #2, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor painted while under curfew in Caguas, Puerto Rico in March 2020. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity si...
Watercolor
30 planes landing into Burbank 4-11-22, Painting, Oil on Wood Panel
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
On April 11, 2022, I painted the airplanes landing into Burbank airport from my backyard. I live streamed the event on my YouTube channel Letspainttv. 30 canvas panels mounted onto a...
Oil
30 planes landing into Burbank Airport, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
For a little over 3 hours on March 22, 2019, I painted all of the planes as they flew over my backyard. 30 paintings in all, each painting is 8" x 10". Oil on canvas panels. Panels m...
Oil
Under curfew in Puerto Rico #1, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of some ginger plants while under curfew in Puerto Rico, March 2020. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticit...
Watercolor
Goya's Colossus on a can of beans, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of a famous Goya painting on a can of Goya beans. Oil and spray paint on can. :: Painting :: Pop-Art :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signe...
Oil
Escalator No.2, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
I did this painting while running on a treadmill in my studio. I have found it resembles what it's like to paint on location (plein air). The image is of a person taking their bicycl...
Oil
Peanuts, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Still life of a bag of peanuts. Watercolor on Arches cold pressed 140 lb watercolor paper. :: Painting :: Pop-Art :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity sig...
Watercolor
Sepulveda Pass, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air oil painting of the Sepulveda Pass in Los Angeles, California. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the a...
Oil
Planes landing into Burbank 4-4-22, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
On April 4, 2022 I painted the airplanes landing into Burbank airport from my backyard. 25 canvas panels mounted on a wood frame. :: Painting :: Contemporary :: This piece comes with...
Oil
Portrait of osculating fan while on treadmill, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Still life portrait of an osculating fan while running on a treadmill. Streamed live on my Youtube channel: letspainttv :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an off...
Oil
Rush hour on the westside, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Rush hour on the westside of Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: Yes :: ...
Oil
Goya's Nude Maja on a can of beans, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of a famous Goya painting on a can of Goya beans. Oil and spray paint on can. :: Painting :: Pop-Art :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signe...
Oil
Fig Tree in Quarantine, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air oil painting of the fig tree in the backyard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready t...
Oil
Empty 12 pack, Painting, Oil on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on burlap mounted on cardboard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed...
Oil
Ezy Mart, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large painting of an Ezy Mart in Melbourne, Australia. Oil and Oil sticks on canvas. Painting will be shipped rolled in tube. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an...
Oil
Empty 6 packs on the sidewalk, Painting, Oil on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on linen. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Signed: Yes :: Signature Loc...
Oil
$540
Swanston Street view from Princes Bridge, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Pap
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of Swanston Street from Princes Bridge in Melbourne, Australia. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity sig...
Watercolor
Kitten in fig tree #2, Painting, Oil on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil and oil stick on burlap mounted on cardboard. The cardboard is warped but will flatten out. Will need to have it framed. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an ...
Oil
Kitten in fig tree #3, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil and Oil stick on linen of a kitten (Silver) in a fig tree #3. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :...
Oil
Los Angeles 114 degrees, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
View of Los Angeles ( Valley) from above during a heat wave. Featured in an upcoming movie. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authentic...
Oil
Lifeguard Tower Malibu, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air watercolor of the Lifeguard Tower in front of Malibu Seafood restaurant in Malibu, California. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate...
Watercolor
Street palms, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Oil on large canvas of an imaginary street view of palm trees. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Oil
Beer Aisle, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Beer aisle of the local supermarket. Posca markers on linen, mounted on wood. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by ...
Acrylic
Above Santa Monica, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
View overlooking the Santa Monica coastline. Spray paint, Acrylic and Acrylic Markers on burlap mounted on wood. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official cer...
Acrylic
Overlooking the Valley, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
View overlooking the valley from Mulholland Drive. Posca markers on linen, mounted on cardboard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of auth...
Acrylic
Kitten on window sill, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Large acrylic painting of a kitten in the window sill. Painting will be shipped rolled up in a tube. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of...
Acrylic
untitled abstract #1, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Untitled experiment number 1. Acrylic and markers on canvas board. :: Painting :: Abstract :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Re...
Acrylic
Silver in the Sun, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Portrait of Silver in the Sun. Acrylic and markers on Matt board. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :...
Acrylic
Godzilla, Painting, Acrylic on Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of Godzilla. Acrylic and markers on Matt board. :: Painting :: Street Art :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to H...
Acrylic
Silver in the Sun #2, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painting of a kitten in the Sun. Oil and oil sticks on canvas. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: R...
Oil
Coke Bottle, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Still life of an old Coke bottle. Watercolor on Arches cold pressed 140 lb watercolor paper. :: Painting :: Pop-Art :: This piece comes with an offici...
Watercolor
Zuma Beach Malibu, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air oil painting of Zuma Beach in Malibu, California. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Read...
Oil
San Francisco Bay from Skyline BLVD, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air oil painting of the San Francisco Bay from Skyline Blvd in Oakland, California. I am not sure the exact date but I think it was around 1995. :: Painting :: Impressionist ::...
Oil
Eagles vs Rams, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted while watching the Eagles-Rams playoff game. :: Painting :: Abstract :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: N...
Oil
Commanders vs Lions, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted while watching the Commanders-Lions playoff game. :: Painting :: Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready ...
Oil
Super Bowl Eagles vs Chiefs, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted while watching the Super Bowl. Note: I ended up poking a tiny hole in the canvas with the palette knife. :: Painting :: Abstract :: This piece comes with an official certif...
Oil
Riding subway in NYC, Painting, Oil on Canvas
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
I did a series of paintings in the studio based on sketches I did while riding the New York subways this summer (2016). :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an offic...
Oil
Backyard Sunset, Painting, Acrylic on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Plein air painting of my backyard. Acrylic on Cardboard. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready t...
Acrylic
Mini Mall, Painting, Acrylic on Other
By John Kilduff
Located in Yardley, PA
Acrylic on cardboard, wood and wire painting of the mini mall here in Los Angeles. :: Painting :: Impressionist :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signe...
Acrylic