Ken W. Kelly is a fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 artist.
Over his 30-year career, he has focused in particular on paintings in the sword and sorcery

Sword and sorcery

Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...

 and heroic fantasy

Heroic fantasy

Heroic fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy which chronicles the tales of heroes in imaginary lands. Unlike stories of sword and sorcery, heroic fantasy narratives tend to be intricate in plot, often involving many peoples, nations and lands. Grand battles and the fate of the world are common themes,...

 subgenres. Early in his career he was able to study the paintings of Frank Frazetta

Frank Frazetta

Frank Frazetta was an American fantasy and science fiction artist, noted for work in comic books, paperback book covers, paintings, posters, LP record album covers and other media...

 in Frank's studio, however Frank never let out his trade secrets.
He has depicted Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...

, Tarzan

Tarzan

Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...

 and the rock groups KISS

KISS (band)

Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...

, Manowar, and Rainbow

Rainbow (band)

Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...

.
His work often portrays exotic, enchanted locales and primal battlefields. He recently developed the album artwork for Coheed and Cambria

Coheed and Cambria

Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York. Formed in 1995, the group incorporates aspects of progressive rock, punk rock, metal and post-hardcore....

's album, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow

Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow

Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow, often shortened to No World For Tomorrow, is the fourth studio album by American prog band Coheed and Cambria, released on October 23, 2007. The album is a direct sequel to their previous album, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV,...

, and a painting of his was used as the cover art for Alabama Thunderpussy's

Alabama Thunderpussy

Alabama Thunderpussy was a Stoner metal band from Richmond, Virginia. It was founded by Bryan Cox, Erik Larson and Asechiah Bogdan in 1996.-History:...

 2007 release, Open Fire

Open Fire (Alabama Thunderpussy album)

Open Fire is the name of an album by Alabama Thunderpussy, released on March 6, 2007 on Relapse Records. It is the band's first album with new singer Kyle Thomas.The album cover, featuring a Viking swinging a flail, is a reference to Molly Hatchet...

 as well as Sleepy Hollow's

Sleepy Hollow (band)

Sleepy Hollow is a rock band that formed in Lodi in 1999. Their music is an eclectic blend of classic heavy metal, progressive rock, and psychedelic rock influences. All members share vocal duties...

2010 release, Legend.