J.L. King is a San Francisco-based contemporary surrealist painter known for finding extraordinary details in ordinary subjects. Born to artist parents, the second-generation Chinese-African American artist creates fantastical oil paintings that often feature vivid colors and sharp-focus detail. Her work explores themes of urban nature, childhood nostalgia, and her biracial heritage through layered scenes, or "portals," which invite viewers to find their own personal narratives. After working in the health and science fields, she committed to oil painting and now works from her studio in San Francisco's South of Market district.
Her art has been featured in several exhibitions, including at the de Young Museum and Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco. She also has work represented by galleries like Arch Enemy Arts and Luna Rienne Gallery. In 2026, she is scheduled to have her debut solo feature at Modern Eden Gallery. You can see more of her paintings and work-in-progress posts on her Instagram account, @j.l.kingart.