Aaron Kai's Page

2008 Artists for A Better World International
"LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT" Awardee

Aaron Kai

"For a lifetime of dedication towards the creation of a better world through aesthetics. For elevating the understanding and importance of the arts within our culture."


New Jersey-native artist, Aaron Kai was born with a talent to hand-illustrate art with detail so real, it had caused his work to be disqualified from a national art competition. It was mistaken for a photograph. “I’ve accepted my ability as a gift …and sometimes, a curse”.

Kai’s artistic calling came at age three. Primarily self-taught throughout school, he excelled in art. Surpassing all the other art students while receiving what he considers, his best training from then-instructor: Frank Gubernat. After earning his B. A. from The College of New Jersey, Kai hit New York City and landed into the fashion world. There, he illustrated apparel for some of the industry’s top-name designers, such as Polo Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. It was an industry Kai never expected to be in. “I just sort of fell into it” he says. His true passion is the art of movie poster design.

Today, the artist illustrates movies…along with advertisement art, portraits, and murals. With a keen eye for detail, his brush strokes capture the true essence of any subject. In some instances, his work looks almost too real. “I once had a client who actually wanted to have her painting inspected by a photo specialist of some sort, because she didn’t believe that I painted it” he says. “It was the ultimate compliment”.

As for his technique: “I tend to montage most of my works, so I can keep the viewer’s eye moving. I want my art to leap off the surface and pull you into that world” he explains. “Like cinematography in films, colors create a mood and accent the theme. So I try to blend certain colors to grasp the subject matter in the composition”.

When not painting, the artist enjoys watching movies and considers himself a film historian. His favorite director? "Too many to name. Although John Woo and Ridley Scott are geniuses". A former DJ, Kai is also a martial-artist of Nunchaku and other Okinawan weaponry, enjoys traveling "anywhere that's warm", and is an enthusiast of Mustang cars.

On October 11, 2008, Aaron was honored with the 2008 Artists For A Better World International LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD "For a lifetime of dedication towards the creation of a better world through aesthetics. For elevating the understanding and importance of the arts within our culture" at Celebrity Centre International, in Hollywood, CA, as part of the AFABW Awards Event & Concert.